Izvorni znanstveni članak
Archbishop Stadler and The Croatian National Community: the origin and development of the conflict ant the mission of apostolic delegate P. Bastien in reconciling the two sides (1908-1912)
Milenko Krešić
orcid.org/0000-0001-5745-0254
; Univerzitet u Sarajevu - Katolički bogoslovni fakultet, Sarajevo, Bosna i Hercegovina
Sažetak
The author deals with the origin and development of the conflict between Archbishop Stadler and the Croatian National Community and the mission of Apostolic
Delegate Pierre Bastien in reconciling the estranged parties. The paper is in two parts:
the first section deals with the origin and development of the conflict, that is, the events
from 1908 to the end of 1910, while the second section deals with the mission of Apostolic
Delegate Bastien, which – with reference to this matter – lasted from the end of 1910 to
the beginning of 1912. The conflict arose over the inclusion or non-inclusion of Catholic principles in
the Community statutes. Archbishop Stadler felt that if the Community wanted to care
for the well-being of Croat Catholics, it must do so in accordance with the principles of
the Catholic faith and make this clear in its statutes. The leadership of the Community
considered this unnecessary. The conflict intensified after the annexation of 1908 and the
announcement of the organization of political life, that is, the proclamation of elections
and the convening of parliament. In this period, Stadler intensified pressure on the leadership of the Community. Fearing that the Community might pursue a policy without
cooperating with church structures, he again insisted on the incorporation of Catholic
principles in the statutes, also asking the Community to work in cooperation with the
clergy. When the Community refused, he tried – but failed – to change its leadership.
During these events, the clergy were divided: the diocesan clergy sided with
Stadler, while the Franciscan clergy sided with the Community. Concluding that he would
not be able to change things in the Community, Stadler set about founding a new political organization – the Croatian Catholic Association. In founding the Association, he
forbade the clergy of his diocese, who worked in the parishes, to become members of the
Community. The diocesan clergy obeyed, while the Franciscan clergy, although officially
exiting the Community, continued to work for it.
Mutual recriminations, which at times went beyond the boundaries of decency
and ecclesiastical propriety, became public. As the issue manifestly became a Church
problem, both sides requested the intervention of the Holy See, which decided to send
Benedictine P. Bastien, as Apostolic Delegate, with the mission of reconciling the two
parties. The Apostolic Delegate carried out this mission from late 1910 until early 1912.
At the end of March 1911, after a three-month stay in Bosnia, he sent the Holy See his first
report on the division among Catholics in BiH. Bastien’s report diverges substantially
from the facts that had led to the conflict. He identified Archbishop Stadler as the main
culprit in the dispute, though he attributed some responsibility to both the Community and
the Franciscans.
Bastien tried to resolve the conflict by mediating a reconciliation effort and finding a solution with the hierarchy. This approach did not bear fruit. The views of Archbishop Stadler and Bishop Markovic, who supported the Community, remained unchanged. After failing with the hierarchy, he turned to the leaders of the Community and the
Association. Both sides were inclined to come together. The main obstacle was securing
the revocation of Stadler’s ban on clergy joining the Community. Representatives of the
Association suggested that the ban be rescinded after the proposed merger took place,
while Community representatives demanded that the ban be rescinded as a condition for
negotiations. Bastien supported the position of the Community.
At the same time as Bastien’s negotiations with the representatives of the
Community and the Association, the Party of Rights from Zagreb was involved in mediating reconciliation. Bastien was asked not to participate in these negotiations. Although
he did not participate, he continued to insist that Stadler rescind the ban. Stadler skillfully
sidestepped this until reunification in January 1912, after which he rescinded the ban.
Ključne riječi
Archbishop Stadler, Croatian National Community, Croatian Catholic Association; conflict; Franciscans; diocesan clergy; Holy See; reconciliation mission; apostolic delegate P. Bastien.
Hrčak ID:
260068
URI
Datum izdavanja:
17.5.2020.
Posjeta: 970 *