ZAGREB, Nov 18 (Hina) - "Croatia's Bishops will forward their pastoral message on the occasion of the forthcoming election for the National Sabor's House of Representatives, after the date of the election has been announced
(officially)," the Primate of the Catholic Church in Croatia, Zagreb Archbishop Josip Bozanic told a news conference on Thursday.
ZAGREB, Nov 18 (Hina) - "Croatia's Bishops will forward their
pastoral message on the occasion of the forthcoming election for
the National Sabor's House of Representatives, after the date of
the election has been announced (officially)," the Primate of the
Catholic Church in Croatia, Zagreb Archbishop Josip Bozanic told a
news conference on Thursday.#L#
The press conference was organised after yesterday's extraordinary
session of the Croatian Bishops' Conference (HBK) which was
acquainted with a report on the Second Special Synod for Europe,
held in the Vatican from 1 to 23 October and after the Athens session
of the Council of European bishops' conferences, held from 11 to 14
November.
One of the topics of Wednesday's session of the Croatian Bishops'
Conference was also a discussion on the situation in the society
with a special emphasis given on the coming election.
Concerning Wednesday's session the HBK Secretariat released a
statement which was read out and delivered to reporters at the news
conference.
Asked by reporters Archbishop Bozanic commented on believers'
prayers for the health of Croatian President Franjo Tudjman, which
are, as some say, being presented by the media also in an
inappropriate manner. Bozanic emphasised that the Church wants
from all citizens at this moment to show to the President all due
human respect. He confirmed it with a part of the statement, saying
that they (bishops) "recommend to all, particularly to the media,
to respect the privacy of prayers and not to try to convert
religious feelings into other merits."
Zagreb Archbishop said the Church would distance itself from all
parties, having confidence in its faithful. He accentuated that the
Church wants the believers to vote according to their conscience.
The Church advised political parties' leaders to say truth during
the run-up to the election, and it points out the principle that the
church functions should not be exploited for propaganda purposes,
he added.
Asked about one of his previous messages in which he spoke of the
"sin of structures", Bozanic answered that it was not the task of
the Church to single out concrete persons.
Asked whether there was danger that "red parties" rise to power,
Bozanic responded that Communism had fallen in Europe ten years
ago, but much of the Communist legacy had remained in the mentality
of Croatian citizens, which cannot be ascribed only to one party
adding that each party has former Communists in its membership.
In order to overcome such way of thinking, citizens should pass
through purification and a young generation, without burdens from
the past, can play an important role in that process. This is the
only path toward the third millennium, Bozanic said.
The Catholic dignitary pointed to the importance of the media in
society, advising reporters to be promoters of the truth. Bozanic
claimed that Croatia's media, which are the image of the society,
are usually faultfinders, and that democracy in the Croatian
society was still fledgling.
He warned that people were inclined to emphasise too much in public
some things, what led toward unnecessary radicalisation which then
shifted attention from important things in society toward less
important items.
In relation to the significance of the Bishops Synod in Rome and the
Council of the European bishops conferences in Athens, Bozanic said
these two gatherings had an aim to accomplish the spiritual unity in
Europe which passes beyond borders of the continent. In addition
other aims were the Christian identity and the prevention of
clashes, eradication of hatred among peoples and countries,
activities of families, youth and dignitaries also discussed the
situation in Kosovo and Chechnya.
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