INTERVIEW

Cassari: The biggest success would be if Croatia joined EU without sacrificing its Christian roots

 

Either Europe will rediscover its original identity - which is surely Christian, or will simply take a risk that Europe will be no more, said Apostolic Nuncio Mario Roberto Cassari.

 

On the Occasion of VISIT OF POPE BENEDICT XVI to CROATIA, and with approval from Mons. Mario Roberto Cassari, Apostolic Nuncio and Dean of Diplomatic Corps, we are bringing most of the interview that he gave to Croatian Catholic Radio.

 

Since 1994 - during the new Croatian history - there have been four visits of Peter's successor to Croatia, and two campaigns of Pope John Paul II to Bosnia and Herzegovina. According to you, to what do we need to thank for this attention, first of Pope John Paul II and now Pope Benedict XVI, to Croatia and the Croatian people?

 

I know that the Popes throughout history, including the Pope Benedict XVI, had always shown attention to all the nations on Earth, with a particular attention to the faithful Catholics around our planet.

Indeed it should be noted that this is, in less than twenty years, the fourth papal visit to Croatia (three campaigns of John Paul II. and now Pope Benedict XVI). Still - as you said correctly - we remember two memorable campaigns of John Paul II to neighboring Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was then experiencing the tragic moments.

 

Historical circumstances at that time in Croatia were different than today. Croatia had become independent, which opened the way for real democracy. The Holy See - as is well known - at that time gave strong support to Croatia, and we all know and recognize it. In fact, on various occasions the people and public authorities emphasize the role that the Church and Vatican played by expressing support for achieving the country's independence. We all know the powerful messages, encouragements, calls for mutual forgiveness and reconciliation from John Paul II during three of his visits to Croatia and also from the Vatican.

 

Pope Benedict XVI - who has already visited Croatia as a Cardinal - now comes in a different context of the new Croatia, which has made great strides in all areas, despite the ongoing difficulties and different opstacles, which are all countries are facing. The Holy Father knows and is up to date on the circumstances of today's Croatia.

 

No doubt the Pope will be satisfied when he personally sees that this local Church, led by zealous pastors, capable and brave, who cooperate with worthy priests, monks and nuns, knows how to put a strong emphasis on the crucial role of Christian values of the Croatian people and on the strengthening of freer and more just social order. Indeed, the Church in Croatia, taken as a whole, has always advocated reconciliation, dialogue, justice and solidarity.

 

Holy Father is aware that the Croatian people harbor a deep loyalty, respect and admiration for the Pope and the universal Catholic Church and that these feelings extend to all layers of the population, and it can be said in the wider political and social layers of the nation.

 

Holy Father is familiar with centuries-old cultural roots and the Croatian Christian tradition, which in recent decades have become more significant due to the activity of the Church, aimed at the welfare of the people and the victims who were facing the communist regime, as well as at relieving the suffering caused by the recent conflict in achieving national independence.

 

The Pope admires the Croatian nation, which possesses strong faith and which loves and honors the crucified Christ, and cultivates devotion to Our Lady. As I said, the Croatian nation has always shown its loyalty to and unity with the Apostolic See and with the Pope.

 

I think this is one of the reasons why the Pope will be among us.

 

According to the program, the Pope will address the families, youth, world of culture, the priests, monks, nuns, theologians and others. What do you think will be the content of the Pope's messages?

 

I am sure that the Lord, in depth and clarity of the messages which we will receive from the Pope, will be able to sow the abundant spiritual fruits in the hearts of many people. But what will surely be shared, and this I sincere wish and hope for, is the awakening of confidence, renewing hope which Pope Benedict powerfully testifies. This hope - as Pope Benedict often says - can not be given by today's troubled world, but can only be produced in a friendship with God, with Jesus Christ. The Pope will greatly inspire that hope in us. He will call and encourage us to accept, cherish and testify it in all ways, especially by the sanctity of our lives. Because it is possible to live holiness, it is always available to everyone, also in meeting the ordinary daily duties. No doubt the Pope will address the many saints of the Church in Croatia and will put them before us as role models to follow, among other things, the courageous testimony of life Blessed Aloysius Stepinac and young Blessed Ivan Merz.

Croatia is on its way to the European Union. What shouldn't Croatia neglect in this process that will make it a member of the European Union?

 

After Slovenia, among the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, Croatia is the closest to the entry into the European Union. It is known that there are still some obstacles, but there is hope that all will end positively. Everybody recognizes that Croatia is making great efforts to implement prompt and necessary reform program - although the social, economic and political climate is not exactly the best.

 

Pope Benedict attentively keeps track of the path of Croatia, which will soon become member of the European Union. In these terms, the Holy See and the Church in Croatia have been giving their positive contribution. However, it is beyond any doubt that Croatia has to face "many challenges of Europe," today's Europe that is currently moving away from its Christian roots. These challenges stem from the alarming mentality, because it is committed to proposing and introducing of negative elements with well-specified names: secularism, consumerism, relativism, permissivism, and even more dangerous thinking about family and life ... and so on. All this erodes, can destroy or make the Croatian society vulnerable as a whole and leave indelible consequences, particularly with regard to youth and families. Pope Benedict is well acquainted with these "challenges" and I believe that He will, except for the renewal of faith and Christian witnessing, know how to touch every heart and will know how to show to everyone the methods and ways of true spiritual renewal and reawakening of conscience. The biggest success would be if Croatia could join the European Union without a "sale" or "sacrifice" of its ancient Christian roots and own identity, which in its essence is a Christian one.

 

May I be permitted to add this thought, which many share among each other: either Europe will rediscover its original identity - which is, as I already said, surely a Christian one, or will simply take a risk to be no more. With a recent court decision issued by the Court in Strasbourg (18 March 2011) on exposure of crucifixes in public schools, it was recognized that the exposure of crucifixes does not mean "indoctrination", rather a manifestation of cultural and national identities of countries with Christian traditions. The cross is recognized not only as "a principle that unites the country," but as "the principle of identity" of European countries. Pope Benedict XVI reminded us (General Audience, April 9, 2008.) "that for creating new and lasting unity, certainly are important political, economic and legal factors, but ethical and spiritual renewal of the continent should also be encouraged, drawing from Christian roots, otherwise reconstruction of Europe is questionable. "

 

 

Could you express your personal impressions of Pope Benedict XVI, you must have met him?

 

Meeting Pope Benedict, without a doubt, it is very moving for those who met him, particularly in a human sense. I am sure that all those who have experienced the joy of a personal encounter with him, have experienced a great spiritual adventure that marked their lives. The Pope is an extraordinary person and the look in his eyes alone calls to joy and trust in God. Everyone is touched by his deep spirituality, his way of praying, his way of life. Pope Benedict is a true "man of God", "A man of prayer." He is a "mystic", a lover of God, truth, God's word, which he boldly reveals to everyone, believers and unbelievers. In addition to his "spiritual wealth", the Pope is in his graceful action always full of attention and respect, he shows us the "true face of the Church," and that is "the true face of God - love." With his humility and depth of his messages, and most of all with the witnessing of his personal life, Pope Benedict has touched the hearts of many people, and those of other religions, even those who do not believe. He has entered into our families, young people love him, because in him they see a leader and a true teacher.