Croatia, ‘Together in Christ’, even in the EU

The Christian heritage of Europe was at the centre of Pope Benedict XVI's address to the new Croatian ambassador to the Holy See, Filip Vučak, received Monday at the Vatican for the presentation of his Letters of Credence. The Pope warned against a certain collective amnesia which would deny the historical evidence of the Old Continent’s Christian roots. He also expressed joy at his forthcoming visit to the Croatian soil, this coming June.

At a time when, twenty years after its independence, the country is heading towards integration into the European Union, Pope encouraged the Croatian people not to give up their culture or their religious life: "It would be misleading - he said – to deny one’s own identity, to embrace another born in circumstances different "to those which gave rise to Croatia”. By entering the European Union, he said, your country will not only adhere to the economic and juridical system with its advantages and limitations…it will also be able to make its own contribution". Pope Benedict called on Croatia "not to be afraid to claim with the determination respect for its own history and its religious and cultural identity”. Or to criticise those voices that "with amazing regularity, deny the reality of the religious roots of Europe".

The Holy Father observed; "It has now become fashionable to have amnesia and deny historical evidence." “Saying that Europe does not have Christian roots is equivalent to requiring that a person live without oxygen and nourishment." The Pope urged Croatia "not to be ashamed to identify and support the truth, rejecting, if necessary, what is contrary to it." The Pope said that Croatians will certainly defend their identity with pride and conviction, while avoiding new barriers that will arise and that "under the pretext of misunderstood religious freedom, are contrary to natural, family and moral law " .

The Pope also expressed his satisfaction with the role of Croatia in promoting peace in the region and with particular reference to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Croatia, he pointed out, brings "its specificity to facilitate dialogue and understanding between peoples" of different traditions, but who have been living together for centuries. Hence, his encouragement to continue on this path for consolidating peace in respect of each other.

Finally Pope Benedict’s thoughts turned to his upcoming visit to Croatia in June, the first as Pope, although as a cardinal he visited Croatia several times. Pope Benedict XVI recalled the theme of the trip, "Together in Christ." "'I want to celebrate this togetherness with your people," said the Pope "Together - he added - in spite of our many human differences, together with these differences." And together with Christ, "who for centuries has accompanied the Croatian people with kindness and mercy."

The Pope also praised the Croatian Parliament for having declared 2011 "Boscovich Year" in honour of the Jesuit scientist and philosopher who demonstrated that "harmony of science and faith, service to the homeland and commitment to the Church", is possible.