ZAGREB, April 21 (Hina) - Croatian President Stjepan Mesic on Friday offered his best wishes for Easter to all Christians, citizens of Croatia, and all people of good will, the President's Office said in a statement. Recalling that
Croatia belonged to the circle of Christian peoples and countries from its beginnings, Mesic said great Croatian artists and scientists, bishops and theologians, and priests and missionaries had significantly contributed to building the European and Christian world. It is the responsibility of our young state and society to use Christian values as ethical norms for their functioning and in the development of civil society, Mesic said, emphasising it was only with joint efforts "that it will be possible to start a not at all easy democratisation of Croatian society and its civil institutions." In the year of the Great Jubilee, which was marked so strongly by Pope John Paul I
ZAGREB, April 21 (Hina) - Croatian President Stjepan Mesic on
Friday offered his best wishes for Easter to all Christians,
citizens of Croatia, and all people of good will, the President's
Office said in a statement.
Recalling that Croatia belonged to the circle of Christian peoples
and countries from its beginnings, Mesic said great Croatian
artists and scientists, bishops and theologians, and priests and
missionaries had significantly contributed to building the
European and Christian world.
It is the responsibility of our young state and society to use
Christian values as ethical norms for their functioning and in the
development of civil society, Mesic said, emphasising it was only
with joint efforts "that it will be possible to start a not at all
easy democratisation of Croatian society and its civil
institutions."
In the year of the Great Jubilee, which was marked so strongly by
Pope John Paul II with his efforts aimed at peace, forgiveness and
dialogue, Mesic recalls the Pope's message to the Croat people in
Zagreb: "In this region, where different world views have been
meeting for centuries, it is necessary to continue joint efforts to
the benefit of culture, without succumbing to unfruitful
conflicts, but rather nurturing respect and reconciliation.
This does not mean that one has to give up his own identity and
culture. The roots, heritage and identity of every nation in
everything that is truly human represents a treasure for the
international community."
"Easter is a challenge and encouragement for all of us, regardless
of our world views - to give our contribution to the building of a
democratic society, a community of welfare and a more just world. I
offer my best wishes for Easter and wish everyone peace and good,"
President Mesic said in the message.
(hina) mm rml