Subject: VISnews 110606
Organization: VIS - Ufficio Stampa della Santa Sede
From: Vatican Information Service - Eng - txt
______ VATICAN INFORMATION SERVICE
TWENTY FIRST YEAR - N. 105
ENGLISH
MONDAY, 6 JUNE 2011
SUMMARY OF APOSTOLIC VISIT TO CROATIA 4-5 JUNE:
- Interview with Pope Aboard Flight to Croatia
- Croatia, Help European Union Appreciate Cultural and Spiritual Treasures
- Meeting with Cultural Representatives
- Pope Invites Youth to Trust in the Lord
- Christian Family Called to Evangelization
- Pope Entrusts Croatian Families to Mary
- Blessed Stepinac, Valiant Pastor, Example of Christian Fortitude
- Benedict XVI Bids Farewell to Croatia
OTHER NEWS 4-6 JUNE:
- Conclusion of First Phase of Apostolic Visit in Ireland
- Other Pontifical Acts
___________________________________________________________
INTERVIEW WITH POPE ABOARD FLIGHT TO CROATIA
VATICAN CITY, 4 JUN 2011 (VIS) - As is traditional on international
apostolic journeys, Benedict XVI granted a brief interview to the
journalists who accompanied him on the flight to Croatia.
The first question was: Your Holiness, you have already been to Croatia on
other occasions and your predecessor travelled there three times. Could you
speak of a particular relationship between the Holy See and Croatia? What
are the most meaningful reasons for and aspects of this relationship and
this visit?
The Pope responded that he had travelled to Croatia on two other times,
"the first for the funeral of Cardinal Franjo Seper, my predecessor at the
Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, who was a great friend. ...
Later I visited again at the invitation of his personal secretary, Capek,
who was also a man of great joy and great goodness, to take part in a
celebration at a Marian sanctuary. There I witnessed the people's piety,
which, I have to say, is similar to that of my own land. ... Thus I saw and
experienced how Croatia, with its millennia-old Catholic history, is always
very close to the Holy See and naturally with its prior history of the
ancient Church".
Holy Father, Croatia may soon be united to the other 27 nations that make
up the European Union. Recently, however, a certain skepticism toward the
European Union has been growing among the Croatian people. In this
situation, will you carry a message of encouragement to the Croatians, so
that they might see Europe not solely from an economic prospect but also a
cultural one and from Christian values?
Benedict XVI pointed out that Croatia "is a people who are at the center
of Europe, of its history and of its culture. I think in this sense that it
is logical, right, and necessary that they join the European Union. ... It
is understandable that there might be a fear of an overly powerful
centralized 'bureaucracy' or of a rationalistic culture that does not take
its history sufficiently into account or the richness of that history and
the richness of historical diversity. It seems to me that this could be
precisely a mission for this people who are now entering: to renew, in
unity, this diversity. European identity is precisely an identity of the
richness of its different cultures, which converge in the Christian faith
and in the great Christian values. It seems to me that it is also precisely
a mission of the Croatians, who are now joining, to make this visible and
efficient again: to reinforce the historicity of our cultures and the
diversity that is our richness, against a certain abstract rationalism. In
this sense I encourage the Croatians: the process of entering into Europe is
a reciprocal process of giving and receiving. With its history, with its
human and economic capacity, Croatia gives, and naturally it receives, thus
broadening its horizon and living in this great commerce that is not only
economic but above all cultural and spiritual as well".
The last question was: Many Croatians were hoping that, on the occasion of
your visit, Blessed Cardinal Stepinac would also be canonized. What
importance today, from your point of view, does his figure hold?
The Pope responded that "the cardinal was a great pastor and a great
Christian as well as a man of exemplary humanism. I would say that Cardinal
Stepinac had to live during two opposing dictatorships, which were however
both anti-humanist. First, the Ustashe regime, which seemed to embody the
dream of autonomy and independence, but which in reality was an autonomy
based on a lie because it was used by Hitler for his own ends. Cardinal
Stepinac understood this very well and defended true humanism against this
regime, defending Serbs, Jews, and gypsies. ... Then there was the opposite
dictatorship of communism, under which he again fought for the faith, for
the presence of God in the world, and for the true humanism that is
dependent on God's presence. Only if the human is an image of God does
humanism flourish. This was his destiny: to fight in two different and
opposing battles. It is precisely his decision for the truth against the
spirit of the times, for this true humanism that comes from the Christian
faith, which is a great example, not just for Croatians, but for us all".
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CROATIA, HELP EUROPEAN UNION APPRECIATE CULTURAL AND SPIRITUAL TREASURES
VATICAN CITY, 4 JUN 2011 (VIS) - At 9:30 this morning the Holy Father left
Rome's Fiumicino Airport and, after a flight of an hour and a half, landed
in Zagreb's Pleso International Airport, thus beginning his nineteenth
international apostolic visit, the first he has made to Croatia.
The Pope was welcomed by Mr. Ivo Josipovic, president of the Republic of
Croatia, Cardinal Josip Bozanic, archbishop of Zagreb, and Archbishop Marin
Srakic, president of the Croatian Bishops' Conference.
During his greeting to President Josipovic, Benedict XVI recalled the
three pastoral visits to Croatia made by Blessed John Paul II and thanked
the Lord for "for the long history of faithfulness that links your country
to the Holy See. For over thirteen centuries", he said, "those strong and
special bonds have been put to the test and strengthened in circumstances
that were sometimes difficult and painful. This history is an eloquent
testimony to your people's love for the Gospel and the Church".
"From its earliest days", he continued, "your Nation has formed part of
Europe, and has contributed, in its unique way, to the spiritual and moral
values that for centuries have shaped the daily lives and the personal and
national identity of Europe's sons and daughters. In the face of the
challenges posed by today's culture - marked as it is by social
differentiation and instability, and by an individualism that gives rise to
a vision of life without obligations and a constant search for 'private
space' - there is a need for convinced witness and active dynamism aimed at
promoting the fundamental moral values that underpin social living and the
identity of the Old Continent".
The Pope emphasized that, "twenty years after the declaration of
independence and on the eve of Croatia's full integration into the European
Union, this country's remote and recent history can stimulate reflection on
the part of all the other peoples of the Continent, helping them,
individually and collectively, to preserve and to inject new life into that
priceless common heritage of human and Christian values. So may this beloved
Nation, in the strength of its rich tradition, help to steer the European
Union towards a fuller appreciation of those spiritual and cultural
treasures".
Noting that he had come to celebrate the first National Day of Croatian
Catholic Families, with the theme: "Together in Christ", the Holy Father
hoped that "this important event will serve as an opportunity for proposing
afresh the values of family life and the common good, for strengthening
unity, renewing hope and leading people to communion with God, the
foundation of fraternal sharing and social solidarity".
After the welcome ceremony, Benedict XVI travelled to the presidential
palace for a courtesy visit to President Josipovic.
At 1:00pm, the Pope went to the apostolic nunciature in Zagreb where he
received in audience Croatia's prime minister, Jadranka Kosor. At the end of
the meeting the Holy Father had lunch with the members of his entourage.
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MEETING WITH CULTURAL REPRESENTATIVES
VATICAN CITY, 4 JUN 2011 (VIS) - After greeting the national organization
committee of the apostolic visit at the nunciature of Zagreb the Holy Father
travelled to the National Theater at 5:45pm to meet with representatives of
civil society and the political, academic, cultural, and business realms as
well as with the diplomatic corps and religious leaders.
Benedict XVI was welcomed by a small musical ensemble and was greeted by
Archbishop Zelimir Puljic, of Zadar, president of the Croatian Bishops'
Conference Cultural Commission and Prof. Niko Zurak, chair of Ethics in
Zagreb's Faculty of Medicine and member of the Pontifical Academy for Life.
The Pope began his address speaking of "the dimension of universality,
characteristic of art and culture, [which] is particularly appropriate for
Christianity and the Catholic Church. Christ is fully human, and whatever is
human finds in him and in his Word the fullness of life and meaning".
"This splendid theatre", he continued, "is a symbolic place, expressive of
your national and cultural identity. For me to come together with you in
this place is a further cause of joy in spirit, because the Church is a
mystery of communion and always rejoices in communion, in the richness of
diversity. The participation of representatives from other Churches and
Christian communities, as well as the Jewish and Muslim religions, helps
remind us that religion is not a separate area marked off from society.
Rather, it is a natural element within society, constantly recalling the
vertical dimension: attentive listening to God as the condition for seeking
the common good, for seeking justice and reconciliation in the truth.
Religion places man in relation with God, the Creator and Father of all, and
must therefore be a force for peace. Religions need always to be purified
according to their true essence in order to correspond to their true
mission".
The Holy Father then introduced the main topic of his reflection, the
theme of conscience, which "is fundamental for a free and just society, both
at national and supranational levels. Naturally", he said, "I think of
Europe, to which Croatia has always belonged on the historical and cultural
plane, and which it is now about to enter on the political and institutional
level. Truly, the great achievements of the modern age - the recognition and
guarantee of freedom of conscience, of human rights, of the freedom of
science and hence of a free society - should be confirmed and developed
while keeping reason and freedom open to their transcendent foundation, so
as to ensure that these achievements are not undone, as unfortunately
happens in not a few cases. The quality of social and civil life and the
quality of democracy depend in large measure on this 'critical' point -
conscience, on the way it is understood and the way it is informed. If, in
keeping with the prevailing modern idea, conscience is reduced to the
subjective field to which religion and morality have been banished, then the
crisis of the West has no remedy and Europe is destined to collapse in on
itself. If, on the other hand, conscience is rediscovered as the place in
which to listen to truth and good, the place of responsibility before God
and before fellow human beings - in other words, the bulwark against all
forms of tyranny - then there is hope for the future".
Benedict XVI then emphasized that it is necessary to remember the
Christian roots of many Croatian institutions "for the sake of historical
truth, and it is important that we understand these roots properly, so that
they can feed the present day too. It is crucial to grasp the inner dynamic
of an event such as the birth of a university, of an artistic movement, or
of a hospital. It is necessary to understand the why and the how of what
took place, in order to recognize the value of this dynamic in the present
day, as a spiritual reality that takes on a cultural and therefore a social
dimension".
To this end, the Pope cited Fr. Ruder Josip Boskovic, S.J., who was born
in Dubrovnik 300 years ago and who "is a good illustration of the happy
symbiosis of faith and scholarship, each stimulating the other through
research that is at the same time open, diversified and capable of
synthesis. ... In Boskovic, there is analysis, there is study of multiple
branches of knowledge, but there is also a passion for unity. This is
typical of Catholic culture. Hence, the foundation of a Catholic University
in Croatia is a sign of hope. I trust that it will help to foster unity
among the various fields of contemporary culture, the values and the
identity of your people, lending continuity to the fruitful contribution of
the Church to the history of the noble Croatian Nation".
Benedict XVI returned to the theme of conscience as "the keystone on which
to base a culture and build up the common good. It is by forming consciences
that the Church makes her most specific and valuable contribution to
society. It is a contribution that begins in the family and is strongly
reinforced in the parish, where infants, children and young people learn to
deepen their knowledge of the sacred Scriptures, the 'great codex' of
European culture; at the same time they learn what it means for a community
to be built upon gift, not upon economic interests or ideology, but upon
love, 'the principal driving force behind the authentic development of every
person and of all humanity'".
"This logic of gratuitousness, learnt in infancy and adolescence, is then
lived out in every area of life, ... and once it has been assimilated it can
be applied to the most complex areas of political and economic life so as to
build up a polis that is welcoming and hospitable, but at the same time not
empty, not falsely neutral, but rich in humanity, with a strongly ethical
dimension. It is here that the lay faithful are called to give generously of
the formation they have received, guided by the principles of the Church's
Social Doctrine, for the sake of authentic secularism, social justice, the
defense of life and of the family, freedom of religion and education", the
Holy Father concluded.
At the end of this meeting with representatives of civil society, Benedict
XVI travelled in the Popemobile to Josip Jelacic Square where he is
scheduled to meet with the youth at 7:30pm.
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POPE INVITES YOUTH TO TRUST IN THE LORD
VATICAN CITY, 4 JUN 2011 (VIS) - At 7:15pm Benedict XVI travelled by
Popemobile to Josip Jelacic Square, Zagreb's main square, capable of
accommodating 50,000 persons, where he held a prayer vigil with the youth.
Before the Pope's arrival some young persons carried in procession the
image of the Virgin of the Stone Gate, protectress of Zagreb, and placed it
at the podium.
After reading some verses of the Letter of St. Paul to the Philippians,
two young persons offered their witness.
Afterward, the Holy Father gave his address. Referring to the reading in
which St. Paul invites the community to "rejoice in the Lord always", the
pope said that the Apostle's experience, which he writes while imprisoned,
"reveals how it is possible, along the journey of our lives, to preserve joy
even in moments of darkness".
"We all know", he stated, "that lodged in the heart of every person is a
strong desire for happiness. Every action, every decision, every intention
holds hidden within itself this deep, natural desire. But all too often we
realize that we put our trust in things that cannot fulfill that desire,
things that turn out to be shifting sands. At such moments we recognize our
need for something 'greater', capable of giving meaning to our daily lives".
"This time of youth...", he continued "is a time of vast horizons, of
powerful emotions, but also a time of concern about demanding, long-term
choices, a time of challenges in your studies and in the workplace, a time
of wondering about the mystery of pain and suffering. What is more, this
wonderful time of life is marked by a deep longing which, far from canceling
everything else, actually lifts it up and fulfils it".
"Jesus speaks to you today, through the Gospel and his Holy Spirit. He is
your contemporary! He seeks you even before you seek him! While fully
respecting your freedom, he approaches each one of you and offers himself as
the authentic and decisive response to the longing deep within your hearts,
to your desire for a life worth living. Let him take you by the hand! Let
him become more and more your friend and companion along life's journey. Put
your trust in him and he will never disappoint you!".
"Jesus enables you to know at first hand the love of God the Father; he
helps you realize that your happiness comes from his friendship, from
fellowship with him. Why? Because we have been created and saved by love,
and it is only in love, the love which desires and seeks the good of others,
that we truly experience the meaning of life and find happiness in living
it, even amid difficulties, trials and disappointments, even when it means
swimming against the tide".
Benedict XVI emphasized that "Jesus is not a Teacher who deceives his
disciples: he tells us clearly that walking by his side calls for commitment
and personal sacrifice, but it is worth the effort". In this sense he
encouraged the youth to not let themselves "be led astray by enticing
promises of easy success, by lifestyles which regard appearances as more
important than inner depth. Do not yield to the temptation of putting all
your trust in possessions, in material things, while abandoning the search
for the truth which is always "greater", which guides us like a star high in
the heavens to where Christ would lead us. Let it guide you to the very
heights of God!".
While stressing that the saints would give them support during their
youth, the Pope pointed out that "here in Croatia, ... Blessed Ivan Merz ...
discovered the beauty of the Catholic faith and came to understand that his
own calling in life was to experience, and to help others experience, the
friendship of Christ. ... He died on 10 May 1928, at only 32 years of age,
after a few months of sickness, offering his life for the Church and for
young people".
"This young life, completely given over to love, bears the fragrance of
Christ; it invites all of us not to be afraid and to entrust ourselves to
the Lord as did the Virgin Mary, Mother of the Church, who is venerated and
loved here under the title of Our Lady of the Stone Gate," he concluded.
After the address there followed a moment of adoration of the Blessed
Sacrament, which remained exposed throughout the night for the faithful who
wanted to remain in prayer, preparing themselves for Sunday's Mass.
The Holy Father said goodbye to the youth and travelled to the nunciature
for dinner and to spend the night.
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CHRISTIAN FAMILY CALLED TO EVANGELIZATION
VATICAN CITY, 5 JUN 2011 (VIS) - At 9:00am the Holy Father travelled from
the apostolic nunciature to the Zagreb Hippodrome, which is eight kilometers
distant and located on the banks of the Sava River. The hippodrome has a
capacity of 300,000 persons.
Upon arriving, the Pope encircled the grounds in the hippodrome by
Popemobile, traveling through the crowd to reach the altar to celebrate Holy
Mass for the National Day of Croatian Catholic Families. The stage had the
form of two hands: one protecting the source of eternal life, that is, the
altar, the point of human-divine encounter in Christ, while the other hand,
which forms the canopy, symbolizes the pneumatological action and the
presence of the Spirit of God in the Church.
"We have recently celebrated the Ascension of the Lord and we prepare
ourselves to receive the great gift of the Holy Spirit", the Pope said in
his homily. "In the first reading, we saw how the apostolic community was
united in prayer in the Upper Room with Mary, the mother of Jesus. This is a
picture of the Church with deep roots in the paschal event. ... Remaining
together was the condition given by Jesus for them to experience the coming
of the Paraclete, and prolonged prayer served to maintain them in harmony
with one another. We find here a formidable lesson for every Christian
community. Sometimes it is thought that missionary efficacy depends
primarily upon careful planning and its intelligent implementation by means
of specific action. Certainly, the Lord asks for our cooperation, but his
initiative has to come first, before any response from us: his Spirit is the
true protagonist of the Church, to be invoked and welcomed".
Benedict XVI then thanked the Croatian Bishops for their invitation to
visit the country on the occasion of the first National Day of Croatian
Catholic Families. He spoke of his great appreciation "for this attention
and commitment to the family, not only because today this basic human
reality, in your nation as elsewhere, has to face difficulties and threats,
and thus has special need of evangelization and support, but also because
Christian families are a decisive resource for education in the faith, for
the up-building of the Church as a communion and for her missionary presence
in the most diverse situations in life".
"Everyone knows that the Christian family is a special sign of the
presence and love of Christ and that it is called to give a specific and
irreplaceable contribution to evangelization. ... The Christian family has
always been the first way of transmitting the faith and still today retains
great possibilities for evangelization in many areas. Dear parents, commit
yourselves always to teach your children to pray, and pray with them; draw
them close to the Sacraments, especially to the Eucharist, ... introduce
them to the life of the Church; in the intimacy of the home do not be afraid
to read the sacred Scriptures, illuminating family life with the light of
faith and praising God as Father. Be like a little Upper Room, like that of
Mary and the disciples, in which to live unity, communion and prayer!".
"By the grace of God, many Christian families today are acquiring an ever
deeper awareness of their missionary vocation, and are devoting themselves
seriously to bearing witness to Christ the Lord. ... In today's society the
presence of exemplary Christian families is more necessary and urgent than
ever. Unfortunately, we are forced to acknowledge the spread of a
secularization which leads to the exclusion of God from life and the
increasing disintegration of the family, especially in Europe. Freedom
without commitment to the truth is made into an absolute, and individual
well-being through the consumption of material goods and transient
experiences is cultivated as an ideal, obscuring the quality of
interpersonal relations and deeper human values; love is reduced to
sentimental emotion and to the gratification of instinctive impulses,
without a commitment to build lasting bonds of reciprocal belonging and
without openness to life. We are called to oppose such a mentality!
Alongside what the Church says, the testimony and commitment of the
Christian family - your concrete testimony - is very important, especially
when you affirm the inviolability of human life from conception until
natural death, the singular and irreplaceable value of the family founded
upon matrimony and the need for legislation which supports families in the
task of giving birth to children and educating them".
"Dear families, be courageous!", the pontiff exclaimed. "Do not give in to
that secularized mentality which proposes living together as a preparation,
or even a substitute for marriage! Show by the witness of your lives that it
is possible, like Christ, to love without reserve, and do not be afraid to
make a commitment to another person! Dear families, rejoice in fatherhood
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