A new beginning” “” “

Scholars from all over the continent are due to meet in Italy to discuss European religious history. That is the aim of the 26th week of reflection and discussion promoted by the Paul VI Ambrosian Foundation, which this year will review the past and present of Croatia and Slovenia, after having done the same for almost all the countries of the Old Continent. Under the auspices of the Diocese of Milan, the Catholic University and the Region of Lombardy, the conference will be held at the Villa Cagnola at Gazzada, a small town in the province of Varese, from 31 August to 4 September. Open to anyone interested (for bookings, contact: Fondazione Ambrosiana, Villa Cagnola – 21045 Gazzada Va – Italy; tel. +39.0332.462104; e-mail ), the meeting envisages a packed programme with reports given by scholars from Croatia and Slovenia, and also from other EU and Eastern European countries, with the aim of throwing light on the origins of Christianity in these territories, on the witness of saints and martyrs, on the influence of religion on society, culture and art, and on the foundation of charitable and educational associations, in an historical perspective ranging from the early centuries to our own day. The main speakers will include Dominican Father Franjo Sanjek , professor of History of the Church at the faculty of Theology of the University of Zagreb. We interviewed him. Croatia is on the “waiting list” for EU membership. Do citizens think the country’s incorporation in the continental context important? Is the Christian community united in this aim? “After the European Council of 18 June, Croatia is on standby to join the European union. Citizens, for many reasons, consider this prospect very important for the economic, political and social development of our country. Historically, up till 1918, Croatia formed part of the Western world. The great majority of the Christian community is profoundly linked to the civilization and culture of the West. Numerous university teachers, writers, artists and workers have campaigned for the union of the Churches (John of Ragusa, George Krizanic, Joseph Geogre Strossmayer) and for European integration. The Christians in Croatia today form 92% of the population (88% Catholics, 4% Orthodox); also present in the country are approximately 1% of Muslims, 1% of other religions and over 5% of non-believers. During the aggression of 1991, the Croatian bishops tirelessly recalled the need for dialogue, reconciliation and a real and just peace for everyone, according to the expression of Cardinal Kuharic, who declared: ‘Our patriotism must be neither racist, nor imperialist, nor chauvinist… If my enemy has burned down my home, I will not burn his; if he has destroyed my church, I will not destroy his, indeed I will defend it’. Now we are at a new beginning: we are faced by other challenges and new tasks. Whether we invest in the process of European integration depends on us”. The Balkans today are still suffering from tragic situations: what contribution can believers make to the peace and social and cultural development of each country? “In each Balkan country believers – Christians, Catholics and Orthodox, or Muslims – form the vast majority of their respective populations. Believers must overcome the ‘Balkan syndrome’ of identifying religion with the nation. And the various Christian confessions must first of all form ‘bridges’ of cooperation. Believers must also contribute to democratisation and the re-establishment of the rule of law. At the same time we need to work at the cultural and spiritual level, as Cardinal Josip Bozanic said some days ago”. Can projects like the study week due to be held in Italy help the believers of the various European states to draw closer together and create greater European integration? “Undoubtedly. The Paul VI Ambrosian Foundation plays a very important role in fostering mutual knowledge between the various countries ‘in transition’ and their cultures. The Croats, who belong to both the Mediterranean and Central European worlds, are in some way the ‘gateway to Europe’ (according to Strossmayer) for Bosnia Herzegovina, Serbia… After the sufferings of the war and the re-established peace, the objective of Croatian believers ought to be that of supporting those values that are fundamental for a renewed society. It’s very important that the believers of each country place themselves at the service of this process of peace and development. We need to respect each voice, each person, each nation: we need to move towards the construction of a genuine common good, inspired by peace, reciprocal respect, solidarity and justice”.