Izvorni znanstveni članak
The role of the Catholic Church in preservation of Croatian identity in New South Wales, Australia
Rebeka Mesarić Žabčić
; Institut za migracije i narodnosti
Sažetak
At the beginning of the 21st century Australian Croats are one of the largest ethnic communities
in Australia. During different historical periods of the Catholic Church through the many forms of
social and cultural activities, and managed to still manages to nurture and preserve Croatian ethnic
identity, culture and the Croatian language in the older and younger generations of Australian
Croatians. The importance of the size of the space and infrastructure for various purposes,
primarily for religious, but also for social, sporting and fun gatherings that the Church offers to
all interest and age group of Croatian immigrants of particular importance for all generations
of emigrants. Particular merit in the preservation of Croatian identity belongs to the priests and
nuns who are the vast majority of their time available for displaced Croats living in all times and
situations. Interesting and analyzed the results of research conducted 2003 in New South Wales
on a sample of 75 persons younger age. Of the total of 100% respondents, 82% of people under
the age goes up to the Croatian church once a week, which is indeed commendable and proves
that the younger generations of Australian Croatians interested in the activities offered by Croatian
Catholic Center. Also, survey results showed that the younger generation of Croatian immigrants in
various sectors including Croatian organizations in New South Wales, 97% of respondents from a
total of 100% included in the work of a Croatian association, club or church. This fact encourages
the older members of the Croatian community and Croats in the homeland, because although
most of the younger Australian Croats assimilated in the Australian multicultural society and a
small chance that the younger generations of Australian Croatians in multiple permanent return
to Croatia, an indication of interest and the preservation of Croatian identity, culture, and the
Croatian language in young Australian Croats are in the future in the area of New South Wales. Should not be reduced or maintaining a successful relationship with the Catholic Church with the
country of origin through the many years and many of the rallies, events of different nature, etc.
emigrants in existing Croatian Catholic Centers, which are very much important for the union, and
thus for the future of the Croatian community, especially for the preservation of Croatian national
identity, culture, and the Croatian language in New South Wales.
Ključne riječi
Australia; diaspora; Croatian identity; Croatian parish communities abroad; emigration; Catholic Church; New South Wales
Hrčak ID:
86325
URI
Datum izdavanja:
15.12.2010.
Posjeta: 1.986 *