Benedict XVI spoke of the initiatives of the Croatian Church to permit “a deeper understanding of Jesus Christ” in his meeting with the bishops of Croatia during their “ad limina” visit to Rome on 6 July. Through his talks with the bishops the Pope was able to gain a better knowledge, he said, of “the positive results, the hopes, but also the difficulties and anxieties” of the Croatian dioceses. Of the various pastoral projects in Croatia, the Pope considers “particularly important” the “measures being taken to promote sound preparation in the Sacraments and an appropriate participation in the liturgy”. He also commended “the commitment to religious formation and to a quality catechesis, both in schools and in parishes”, and “measures to foster traditional devotions and the frequent pilgrimages, especially to the Marian sanctuaries”. The Pope also reminded the Croatian bishops, led by Cardinal Josip Bozanic, President of the Croatian Bishops’ Conference, of the need for “a tireless proclamation of the evangelical values”, so that the faithful may avoid some of the “dangers of present-day cultural trends, such as secularisation and relativism”. Not forgetting that Croatia “still feels the consequences of the recent conflict”, Benedict XVI encouraged the bishops to give ” credible witness”, follow “with particular care the formation of priests”, promote “vocations to the priesthood”, “closely monitor the formation of seminarians”, “guide, in love and in a spirit of mutual cooperation, the religious communities and the movements, both those of consecrated life and lay, promote faithful love, harmony and daily prayer in families, and encourage them to a generous openness to life”.
