Bishops met in Zagreb for their regular conference.
Croatian bishops met for the 53th session of the Croatian Bishops’ Conference and addressed “an inappropriate attitude towards the past, which is then reflected in our present as well”, reports Večernji List on October 10, 2016.
They stated that it was becoming increasingly evident that there are some who are trying to manipulate with circumstances and the number of casualties in World War II, especially with regards to the Jasenovac camp. “The bishops consider as unacceptable and harmful the current attitude of Croatian institutions towards the victims of the communist regime, especially when it comes to mass graves and remains of victims, both in Croatia and in other countries, particularly in Slovenia”, said the bishops in the statement.
The bishops called on the authorities to invest the necessary effort in order to shed light on the truth about the Jasenovac camp, as well as events and sufferings after the Second World War. This would show respect to the victims, and the truth would bring more peace into the lives of families whose members were killed, said the bishops and added that it was important to do that since there are political myths which want to present Croatian nation and state as genocidal and criminal. The bishops therefore called on the people and society to be united in order to have the strength to cope with new attempts to create myths and spread lies.
The bishops were also informed about the work of the Joint Commission of Croatian and Serbian experts which have the task to jointly consider the role of Archbishop of Zagreb Alojzije Stepinac, before, during and after World War II.
The conference also accepted the proposal of the Council for Life and Family to intensify the work on spiritual preparations for marriage, which should ensure continued monitoring of married couples even after the wedding.
Conference of Bishops decided that on 18 November, the anniversary of the fall of Vukovar, a special mass will be celebrated in the town by Cardinal Josip Bozanić, the Archbishop of Zagreb.
The plenary session of the Croatian Bishops’ Conference was held under the chairmanship of the President of the Conference, the Archbishop of Zadar, Želimir Puljić.
