Original scientific paper
Zdravko MATIĆ
Abstract
Confl ict between Croatian Catholic Seniority (CCS) and Croatian Eagle Association (CEA) did not cease even after numerous meetings, round tables and Bishops conference interventions. Croatian Catholic Seniority (CCS) from the very beginning set itself as an exclusive organization which wants to control and supervise everything. Even though Croatian Eagle Association (CEA) at the beginning enjoyed Seniority’s trust, fi rst friction appeared already in 1924 when Seniority realized that it will not be able to implement its ideas and programs through CEA. Ivan Merz constantly encouraged religious goals and ideas of Catholic Action (CA) and stressed the dependence of CEA on the church hierarchy without the mediation of the Seniority. The basis for his views Merz found in Papal
encyclicals, documents of the Holly See and professional literature which he thoroughly studied. Already then the Seniority appeared with the theses about ’violent introduction of Italian Catholic Action (CA)’ among the catholic organizations. It was an artifi cially
created thesis for the purpose of accusing Merz and CEA leadership that Italian CA is unnecessary and even harmful for Croatian Catholic youth. Real reason was the incapacity of CCS to implement within CA political part of Croatian Catholic Movement (CCM) realized
in Croatian Popular Party (CPP). Merz in his public appearances stated that political and social-economic part of CCM have no connection with CA. The fi rst confl ict that seriously damaged the illusion of unity, happened by mid-1924 on the occasion of publishing
of Croatian edition of ’Golden book’, edited by Ivan Merz. The Seniority without warning cut out Merz’s ’Introduction’, what additionally caused high feelings. Whole year 1926 and up to the year 1928 were marked by confl ict between CCM – CEA. Dr. Dragutin Kniewald, Merz’s contemporary describing the state in current Croatian Catholic Movement (CCM) stated that the matter was precisely about will the leadership of CA organization
be in principle and in fact in the hands of local bishop and will the organization of CA be practically independent from every party or political infl uence. According to Merz, CA should be led by bishops, each in his bishopric, and as such it should be out of and above
all political parties. Naturally, that did not mean that Church prevents Catholics to organize themselves in a political party which program was not in collision with CA. After Merz’s death, the Seniority wanted to create the impression in public that his opinion was that every catholic by his conscience is obliged to vote for CPP. Facts speak in favor of Merz, who not only was against the attempts of politicization of CA but also constantly worked on depoliticization of CCM organizations because his opinion was that political parties should act autonomously but outside of catholic organizations.
Keywords
Ivan Merz; Croatian Catholic Seniority; Croatian Eagle Association; Catholic Action; Croatian Catholic Movement
Hrčak ID:
40871
URI
Publication date:
18.6.2009.
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