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The Church in Croatia and Political Traces (1989 - 2007)

Vladimir Dugalić orcid.org/0000-0003-1085-2541 ; Katolički bogoslovni fakultet u Đakovu Sveučilišta Josipa Jurja Strossmayera u Osijeku, Đakovo, Hrvatska

Sažetak

According to the last Population Census, more than 87% of the population in Croatia expressed themselves as Catholics and we can safely say that this characterised Croatian society on the social-political plan from 1989 to this day and in a certain way is reflected on the Church in Croatia itself. We can therefore observe its political traces from the first multi-party elections and the founding of the Croatian State to current endeavours of accessing Euro-Atlantic integrations at several levels. Pursuant to the Croatian Constitution which guarantees the freedom of religious confession but also the division of religious communities from the State and the signing of the Agreement with the Holy See, after several decades of communist rule, relations between the Church and State have finally been regulated in the spirit of democratic standards setting a legal framework for the Church's activities. At the level of the Church's political talk, while fulfilling its mission to advocate for humanity and common good, we have relevant statements by bishops and bodies of the Croatian Conference of Bishops and of course the thoughts of Croatian theologians. On a practical level however, we see a certain (lack of) adaptation of the clergy and laity in new social-political conditions and social-economic life.
Observed historically, the Church's stance for the common good of Croatian society and its being faced with various challenges occurred in three varying social contexts. Issues imposed by the Homeland War and its repercussions that faced Croatian society (1991—1995), particularly the question of the legality of defence and forgiveness as well as the hardships faced by displaced persons featured the first era of the Church's political traces in Croatia. Bishops and priests called for the spirit of the Gospel for peace and forgiveness. They condemned any crime and shared the fate of their people in solidarity. The second period (1996-2000), which encompasses post-war renewal and encountering an inherited mentality while creating a democratic, economic and social structure within Croatian society required changes in the Church and its relations towards political structures and greater social advocacy in the spirit of the Second Vatican Council and the Social Teachings of the Church. Church representatives clearly pointed out the negative aspects of Croatian society and the danger of an inherited mentality but also, the lack of putting into practise the principles of the social teachings of the Church which meant an absence of greater involvement of the faithful or any significant progress in its social activities. The third period from 2000 to this day, featured with continuing democratisation of society and more or less successful development of a social State according to European standards required the Church to encounter new challenges in a plural society particularly one in the spirit of liberal ideologies. In that regard, due to the social situation which emerged with the change of government in 2000 but also in the spirit of the directives of three pastoral visits by the Holy Father to Croatia, the Church took a step back from being a national tribune to being a Church that points out social problems and the danger of secular fundamentalism. However, matters move slowly and the challenges of the time impose the need for greater development of social pastoral work which requires above all various forms of studies, seminars, lectures in particular on a diocesan and parish level with the aim of personal development in the spirit of the social teachings of the Church in order to overcome inherited mentality.
At the start of the third millennium, in its political activities, the Church is called upon to put emphasis on promoting fundamental human and Christian values with the aim of protecting common good and national wealth. An important role relies on the laity requiring more serious involvement in social pastoral work on the social plan with concrete practical projects. In that regard, it is necessary to create better coordination of activities particularly on the diocesan level and subsidiary assistance in educating and training qualified staff. The Church therefore is required to take a step back from theory and move towards the practical; to step back from certain formality towards sincere social pastoral work that is able to contribute to the development of democracy in Croatia and a true transformation of public institutions in the spirit of the Social Teachings of the Church and in particular a stronger presence of Christians in civil society. In other words, clear social dialogue is required that will be supported by social action and educating the faithful to act socially in the civil sector.

Ključne riječi

Catholic Church; Croatian society; Social Teachings of the Church; common good; Church and State; Homeland War; democracy; politics; social justice; faithful; laity; civil society

Hrčak ID:

23237

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/23237

Datum izdavanja:

29.11.2007.

Podaci na drugim jezicima: hrvatski

Posjeta: 2.200 *