ZAGREB, April 22, 2019 – Istrian Democratic Party (IDS) leader on Sunday reacted to the Easter homily delivered by the Archbishop of Zagreb, saying that Cardinal Josip Bozanić had used the Easter holiday to issue “biased political messages” and calling on him to “refrain from political cheering” and to intercede for the workers at the Uljanik and 3. Maj shipyards.
In a statement, IDS president Boris Miletić expressed regret that Cardinal Bozanić had used Easter to issue “biased political messages and a cynical criticism of Istria County and Primorje-Gorski Kotar County, which he said represent ‘the most developed parts of the country’.”
“Instead of engaging in political campaigning, Cardinal Bozanić could have used his speech today to draw attention to the inhumane, callous and un-Christian policy of stalling which the government has persistently used against the Uljanik and 3. Maj workers,” the IDS leader said in the statement.
He appealed to the Church authorities “to refrain from political cheering and discriminating against the two regions which they do not like for reasons best known to them, and to actively intercede for the shipyard workers and help end their months-long suffering.”
In his homily, Cardinal Bozanić referred to the shipyard workers in Pula and Rijeka who “have been coming to work for months without being paid,” noting that this was happening in a part of the country that was described as most developed.
“How is this possible? Politicians, both local and those at the highest level, are certainly aware of this. Problems that have been long kept under the carpet in the interest of power-wielders need to be dealt with, but it is the little man that gets hurt in such games and calculations,” Bozanić said, urging those in charge not to lose sight of the unprotected little man in addressing difficult issues.
More news about Croatian shipyards can be found in the Business section.
