Bogoslovska smotra, Vol. 82 No. 4, 2012.
Original scientific paper
Values in Croatia From the European Perspective. A Pastoral-theological View
Josip Baloban
; Catholic Faculty of Theology, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
The author discusses the value system in Croatia while grounding his discussion in the scientific-research project European Values Study (EVS - 2008), the Atlas of European Values, and the other recent literature, and comparing the Croatian data with that of the old European Union (EU) members, the new EU members, the country candidates for accession to EU as well as the other European countries encompassed in the EVS research. The author claims that the Croatian society and the Church lack the all-encompassing, objective, constructive, and future-oriented critical awareness as well as the needed unity that would cut across the various political parties and groups within the society. Taking note of its location within Europe, which is at the same time both secular and religious, Croatia shows a trend of differential distance from the Church in various dimensions of ecclesiality. Marriage and the family remains a fundamental value for Europeans and even more so for Croats, while the culture of work and the relationship toward leisure time continue to be tested in Croatia. Furthermore, the value of friendship and acquaintances and the transfer from friendship to acquaintance has proven to be very fluid along with the other remnants of thinking inherited from the former communist political system. While trust in political institutions is quite low amongst the contemporary Europeans, this does not necessarily mean that they are politically apathetic since they continue to decide for themselves how politically engaged they will be for personal or social reasons. On the other hand, Croats have an exceptionally low level of trust in their political institutions and are politically apathetic. A comparison of relations of Europeans and Croats toward the value of new life shows that Croatia is closer to the new EU member countries, the country candidates, and the other European countries rather than the old EU countries. The author is particularly concerned by and provoked to reflect on the phenomenon of rapid deterioration of trust in the army, police and the Church in Croatia, for which he offers a plausible explanation and a critical reflection. When it comes to the value of solidarity and social (in)sensitivity (as well as some other values), Croats also lag behind the other citizens of the Old Continent.
In order to promote, advocate, and live the fundamental human values and the specific Christian values, the Christ's Church in Croatia (and, to some extent, in Europe) needs to take advantage of various models of pastoral engagement that are in correlation with the contemporary person and his/her concrete social and existential context. In relation to that, the author presents four basic pastoral models: 1. the model of universal ecclesial strategy; 2. the model of pastoral focus on individual values; 3. the model of gradual and remote ecclesiality; and 4. the model of spiritual movements.
The author concludes the article by strongly emphasising the transparent and recognisable character of ecclesiality and faith that need to become evident to others through individual believers who will give the reason of their hope not only through speech but also (and especially) through life witness.
Keywords
values; Croatia; European Union; ecclesiality; pastoral models
Hrčak ID:
96176
URI
Publication date:
29.1.2013.
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