Review article
Dobrila ’s Centenary Birth Celebration in 1912 and the Controversy between the Istrian “Clericalists ” and “Liberals ”
Stipan Trogrlić
; Institut Ivo Pilar - Pula
Abstract
The celebration of Dobrila’s 100th birth anniversary in 1912 was the reason for new “clerical-liberal” debates, in the midst of the usual controversies in Istria. Since the beginning of the celebration, it was clear that each of the three Istrian ideological-political parties will seek justification for their current behavior in appealing to Dobrila’s heritage, and that three models of celebrations will take shape.
The radical Catholics considered Dobrila as bishop and man of the Church which was the inspiration for his commitment in the national revival. Their starting point was a theological maxim: “Gratia suponit naturam et perficit eam - Grace presupposes nature and perfects it.” Consequently, all of Dobrila’s work in the field of national revival and his commitment to cultural and educational activism is founded in the supernatural message of the Gospel. Therefore, radical Catholics believed, the best way to celebrate Dobrila’s year would be by promoting the Croatian Catholic movement in Istria.
Liberals of progressive orientation characterized Dobrila’s national and political work as a “unique thought”, which as such could unite Istrian Croats of different ideological worldview. The fact that Dobrila was a bishop of the Catholic Church was not considered by this group as an important determinant of his identity and action, but rather a casual, trivial fact in the bishop’s biography.
The moderates, in a certain sense Catholic liberals, in the circle of the “Naša sloga” did not oppose Dobrila the bishop to Dobrila the national and political worker, and to the cultural and educational enthusiast that he was. This attitude interfered more with the radical Catholic current, than with the liberal one. They promoted the idea that Dobrila offered a certain width that could comfortably reconcile a variety of orientations and views.
Keywords
Juraj Dobrila; ideological conflicts; clericals; liberals; controversy
Hrčak ID:
157511
URI
Publication date:
1.3.2016.
Visits: 1.344 *