Historic crossroads

Croatia made “substantial” progress to the extent that its EU adhesion is “tangible and concrete”. This is what emerges from the latest Enlargement Report by the European Commission recently illustrated by EU Commissioner Olli Rehn. A good viatic for the country, guided by Stipe Mesic who is nearing parliamentary elections on November 25. Criticism however is being heard. In the past few days Mr. Mesic criticized the Croatian military ordinary bishop Monsignor Juraj Jezerinac, whom he accused of having described as “satanic” the major opposition Centre-left party (Sdp) during a homily. Reportedly, Mr. Mesic mentioned this fact to the apostolic nuncio mons. Franciso-Javier Lozano. The outgoing Centre-right premier Ivo Sanader, on the contrary, was praised by the bishop: “Croatian prelates have the duty to address themselves to the population in view of elections”. Croatian bishops softened the tones by encouraging citizens to go to the ballot boxes.APPEAL TO VOTING… “The forthcoming elections are important because after having made considerable economic progress and registered developments in other fields too, as acknowledged by the international community, we are now faced with the historic crossroads of the European integration implementation and the creation of a legal system which will determine a long-term social development enhancing social values”, these were the words pronounced by the Bishops Conference encouraging faithful to vote in the next Parliamentary elections scheduled for November 25. Bishops invited faithful to “prepare themselves conscientiously and with moral responsibility, so as to efficiently contribute to the constant development of Croatia”, they equally encourage” all those gifted and capable, the youth in particular, to devote themselves with courage to political life, in the awareness that it is a dignified way of serving the nation.” In its message the Bishops Conference identified the role of the Church in this context: “In democracy, the Church recognizes the opportunity of citizen participation in the political decision-making process. This is due to the fact that democracy grants direct voting and monitoring of elected candidates. True democracy consists in accepting values such as human dignity, respect for human rights and of the common good, as well as the objectives and sound policy organization criteria”. Bishops invite the faithful to go to vote and avoid abstension. “Make your evaluations following your own Christian conscience when deciding the people and the programs you will be voting”. With the occasion we wish to remind priests to make sure that Churches are not used for political promotion. TO “PREPARE EU ENTRY”. Interviewed in the past days by Zagabria’s daily ‘Jutarnji list’, the neo-president of the Croatian Bishops Conference, Mons. MARIN SRAKIC, bishop of Djakovo and Srijem, returned to speak of the 25 November elections, addressing also various topical issues in Croatia: the family crisis, the mission of the Church, the presence of Communist mentality in Croatia’s society. Sraki? highlighted the importance of the forthcoming elections: “The winning party will have to prepare Croatia’s entry in the EU with appropriate policies and effective negotiation. However, also the looser will have his responsibility. Our society cannot make any progress if some push forward and others hold back”, he remarked. As relates to domestic policy, the bishop highlighted the need to “redefine programs which will accelerate economic progress, that will change the old mentality based on and irresponsible attitude towards material goods promoting equal and responsible property ownership”. The President of the Bishops Conference indicated the “pre-eminent importance” of family legislation that goes to the benefit “of the health and progress of the nation and of society as a whole”. This is especially true for our Croatian society which is going through a delicate transition period”. On the practical plan, Mons.Sraki? reiterated that the Social Doctrine of the Church sustains the principle of family indemnity. He pointed out that it’s not a matter of material conditions, rather it relates to family crisis considered as an institution. “It’s about establishing to what extent the Church, with its Social Doctrine, can be present in public life. If the media address religious subjects only in the framework of reports on blessings, it brings no benefit to society and the Church will be damaged”, the bishop declared, pointing out that “our society always expects that bishops say something. But also the laity have a lot to say”.