Contacts:
Caritas Croatia
Kaptol 26, Zagreb
+385 1 481 20 22
+385 1 481 21 03
caritas.croatia@caritas.hr
www.caritas.hr
News archive - 2007.
Photographs: Charity Christmas tree sale
Photo: 15 December – Part 1
Photo: 15 December – Part 2
Photo: Osijek, Zadar, 15 December
19.12.2007
The 5th Hrvatske šume Day for 1000 Joys
Charity Sale of Christmas trees – 15 December 2007
During this year's «For 1000 Joys» campaign Caritas Croatia is organising its fifth Christmas trees charity sale (live trees with roots).
The sale is to be held on 15 December 2007 in Zagreb, Čazma, Kutina, Šibenik, Vodice, Primošten, Varaždin, Osijek, Zadar and in Rijeka on16 December. Once again these live Christmas trees with roots were donated by Hrvatske šume. All proceeds collected from the sale of trees will go to help the poorest families in Croatia.
With their donation of 1000 trees once again this year Hrvatske šume contributes to the social dimension of Caritas' campaign to help the poorest families in Croatia but also adds an extra element in caring for the environment which is a sign of the ecological awareness felt in Hrvatske šume and Caritas Croatia. Hrvatske šume’ staff will be on site to explain how best to care for these trees and replant them once the Christmas season ends.
The Christmas tree charity sale will be held in:
- Zagrebwith 250 trees at Trg Petra Preradovića (Cvjetni trg).
- Čazma with 75 trees in front of the presbytery Čazmanski Kaptol 14.
- Kutina with 75 trees in Školska ulica near the „Mala tržnica“.
- Šibenik where trees will be sold at the Crkva Gospe van grada and at Vidice as well as Vodice and Primošten. A total of 100 trees will be supplied for these three towns.
- Varaždin in front of the cathedral, in Pavlinska 4 with 100 trees.
- Osijek with 150 trees to be sold at the Trg slobode.
- Zadar with 150 trees at the Narodni trg.
- Rijeka with 100 trees to be sold on 16 December at the parish churches of ‘Sv. Mihovil’ - Jelenje and ‘Sv. Nikola biskup’ - Krnjevo.
This year's Christmas tree sale will be held just before Caritas Sunday, which be held on the third Sunday of Advent, 16 December 2007.
Caritas Sunday is dedicated to motivating the faithful to contemplate about the needy but even more so a call and opportunity for people of good will to make their contributions in churches around Croatia to help the needy.
All proceeds collected at Sunday masses during Caritas Sunday will go towards helping Caritas at the parish, diocesan and national levels so that they are able throughout the year to create, motivate and implement various campaigns and concrete help.
Each year Caritas Sunday has a new motto and this year's motto says «Renew the face of the Earth». We highlight just a little from the Epistle intended for Caritas Sunday by Caritas President Bishop Josip Mrzljak: «Man is responsible to himself and towards others and all that surrounds him. It is this active living responsibility of Christians in fact that is reflected primarily in caring for the good of the community and concretely to endeavour so that every person on Earth may live a life dignified of man.»
// 05. 12. 2007
Caritas Croatia's for 1000 joys Christmas campaign
On Tuesday 20 November 2007, Caritas Croatia (CC) organised a press conference in the Public Hall in Zagreb's Knežija suburb presenting the fifth national For 1000 Joys humanitarian campaign earmarked for one thousand families in need in Croatia.
Caritas Director Fr. Ivan Milovčić and the Head of Caritas' Christmas campaigns Boris Peterlin presented this year's campaign.
“Last year we raised 5.2 million kuna and over the past four years that the campaign has been run over 16 million kuna has been collected to help over 15,000 families”, said CC Director Ivan Milovčić speaking about the results of Caritas’ campaign which was originally launched in 2003.
Beneficiaries
Beneficiaries of Caritas' Christmas campaign are families in need throughout Croatia regardless of their religious or national affiliation which is in keeping with the mission of Caritas throughout the world.
This year's focus for families to receive assistance concentrated on families with inadequate housing conditions and in particular elderly households requiring certain practical maintenance works to their homes that could improve the conditions that our elderly citizens live in during their delicate ages.
Acting Director of the Zagreb Diocesan Caritas Sr. Jelena Lončar spoke about some of the projects earmarked for the elderly in the region of the Archdiocese including “Home Care” encompassing 160 elderly and sick persons living in their own accommodation.
By helping them conduct general household chores in and out of the house with hygiene, spending time with them and just speaking with them each week for a couple of hours – but if need be several times a week – we endeavour to help them face their everyday problems of loneliness or to conduct ordinary chores around the house, faced with illness or marginalised.
Three to four times a year we organise gatherings that are usually attended by about 200 pensioners. Since 2000 to date we have organised about 30 such gatherings with about 8,500 pensioners in all attending”.
The press conference was organised for about three hundred pensioners who are beneficiaries of Caritas’ aid with lunch. Entertainment was provided by the Zagreb Marching Ladies from the Elderly People’s Home Trag.
The Maksimir Marching Ladies are led by Ms. Nada Majcen and have been on the scene for the past 14 years and count 16 members. They have performed more than 100 times around Croatia, in Zagreb, Karlovac, Vinkovci, Sisak, Umag, Piran, Poreč, Pula, Vukovar…..
The average age of these courageous women is around 60 but their liveliness goes to show that even in the dusk of our lives we can bring joy to others and remain young at heart.
The project’s objectives
In addition to the fundamental objective of this campaign – to raise funds, goods and services for those in need – CC wishes to achieve another objective in strengthening the values of Christmas – love, solidarity, unselfishness, sacrifice, peace and so on.
“To strengthen and develop a network of solidarity that will help make Christmas last throughout the year and to inspire similar actions to help those in need and in fact that campaigns such as this prove to be unnecessary in the future – solidarity should become part of our life style”, Peterlin said explaining the objectives of the campaign.
A third, indirect objective is to motivate children and the young to identify those in need and to do something about it while gaining experience of taking responsibility for others, particularly those who are not able to care fore themselves. This year’s Caritas product earmarked for children in primary and secondary schools are stickers designed for the young for this particular campaign.
Primary and secondary schools can be involved in CC’s campaign and have the opportunity to use 50% of the funds collected for “their own purposes”, i.e. someone in their school environment that is in need. The remaining 50% should be paid to CC to in turn help those in need throughout the rest of the country.
Elect Christmas!
“This year’s campaign tells us that if we wish to live at the level of the values of Christmas then at a certain moment in life it is worth re-electing them and sometimes faced with hardship to once again obtain them. That’s why this year’s motto is “Elect Christmas!”
“For this year’s campaign we chose the motto “Elect Christmas!” Amongst the mass offers being presented everyday we need to elect CHRISTMAS and the values of LOVE, PEACE AND LIFE that are at the core of Christmas – that is the right choice. In light of these values – the values of Christmas – feast days when we celebrate God’s love of man – in an effort so that people can live fully in peace with God and people – it becomes possible to value all other choices in life and identify sure signs.
These signs point us in particular to help others: our loved ones, our neighbours in need and distress. During our campaign we wish to motivate everyone – to celebrate God – and recognise Jesus whose birth we are celebrating in each person in need and to jump to their aid. Giving a part of oneself. Or giving oneself – one’s time, care or a kind word is something everyone can do and in that way giving becomes generous”, Peterlin said explaining the campaign’s motto.
EACH ONE OF US IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PEOPLE AROUND US. WHAT CAN I DO?
Companies can help this campaign
- By making a payment to our account no: 2340009–1510126452 (poziv na broj 07)
- By buying an appropriate Caritas Croatia Christmas card or
- Making a donation in kind of their goods or services.
Citizens can help the campaign
- By making a payment to account no: 2340009–1510126452 (poziv na broj 07).
- Calling the Caritas Croatia charity phone: 060 9010 (price of a call is 6.10 kn)
- By buying a Caritas Croatia Christmas card in their parish.
In order to make it easier for citizens to make donations CC has prepared pre-written deposit slips that can be found at all branches of PBZ throughout Croatia.
During the For 1000 Joys campaign thanks to the benevolence of Hrvatske šume, Caritas Croatia will once again this year for the fifth year in a row, organise a Christmas tree sale. This year Christmas trees (with roots) will be sold in Zagreb on Saturday 15 December on Cvjetni trg and also in Zadar, Čazma, Osijek and some other towns around Croatia.
“We want to motivate other businessmen to become involved in this charitable project”, a member of the Dukat Board of Directors responsible for Sales and Logistics Alen Fontana said at the press conference presenting Caritas Director with a symbolic glass of milk representing Dukat’s donation valued at 100,000 kuna.
Half of Dukat’s donation was in products. This valuable donation is in continuation of Dukat’s “Milky Way to Goodness” project launched this year in June and Dukat has made donations to Caritas institutions throughout Croatia in products with a total value of over 200,000 kuna.
Executive Director in the Office of the Management Board of the Privredna banka Zagreb for Corporate Communication John Knezović informed that the bank had once again as in previous years divided 300,000 kuna that was to be used for their Christmas party and donated it to CC for the Christmas campaign.
“We fully support Caritas’ For 1000 Joys campaign and have from its very beginning in 2003 and this is our way as a company to participate in building a society concerned with common good. Once again this year PBZ has shown its solidarity and bout several dozen thousand Caritas Christmas cards to be sent to its business partners and friend”, Knezović said.
Every one attending this special press conference was given a package with Dukat products and a winter scarf donated by Pliva.
In addition to those companies already mentioned above Caritas Croatia wishes to thank all those companies that have made their contributions in the past including: Croatia osiguranje, Exportdrvo, HEP, Hrvatske šume, Jedinstvo, Nestle Hrvatska, STSI, Ured Grada Zagreba za zdravstvo, rad, socijalnu zaštitu i branitelje, Vlada RH, Večernji list, 24sata, Pliva.
CC wishes to especially thank the CAVARPAYER design studio and the authors of the concepts and creative solutions that have in the past four years successfully relayed CC’s message to the public, children and young people in Croatia.
// 21. 11. 2007
Caritas Croatia commences campaign to collect financial aid for the victims of the floods in Mexico
Following the catastrophic floods in Mexico considered to be one of the worst natural disasters ever to affect Mexico leaving a million people without homes in the southern part of the country, Caritas Croatia has started a campaign to collect funds to help the poorest victims.
Map of flooded region (229KB, PDF)
As was the case in previous catastrophes that Caritas Croatia has aided in the past, donations will be sent directly to the field via the Caritas network in support of concrete projects.
The account number for donations is:
Hrvatski Caritas
Privredna banka Zagreb
2340009-1100080340 poziv na broj 07112007
// 07. 11. 2007
Caritas Croatia's Pharmacy «Diakonia» marks 15 years of its activities
On Tuesday 30 October 2007 Caritas Croatia's pharmacies marked 15 years of their activities. This anniversary was officially celebrated in the hall of the Archdiocesan See in Zagreb, at Branjugova 1.
Caritas Croatia's experience in pharmacy began in 1992 with the Caritas Pharmacy.
Today, it functions as a health institution known as the DIAKONIA PHARMACY and has two profit making and one donor pharmacies. The donor pharmacy is located at Trg S. Konzula 4 in Zagreb and it promotes humanitarian aid and free care for patients.
This is the continuation of efforts that emerged in response to needs during the Homeland War and represents a special branch of public pharmacy in Croatia. The most frequent beneficiaries looking for help are pensioners with low pension allowances, the unemployed, families entitled to Children's Allowance and other social welfare cases.
The donor pharmacy is able to function thanks to that share of profit it makes at the two profit making pharmacies that are part of the Diakonia pharmaceutical health institution. Other donations too make it possible for the pharmacies to operate. These include donations from drug wholesalers, pharmaceutical companies and individuals.
«The name DIAKONIA,comes from the Greek word „ diakonia „ - serving, and symbolises the meaning of our work. We hope that it will serve as an inspiration to other pharmacists to dedicate themselves to humanitarian aid», the head of the Diakonia pharmaceutical health institution, Renata Glavina, Mr. Pharm. said during her speech at the anniversary celebration.
// 31. 10. 2007
Caritas Croatia sends Caritas BK B&H 2 million & 360,000 kuna for 37 projects
Caritas Croatia forwarded 2,360,000 kuna to Caritas Bosnia & Herzegovina out of the funds collected for the “Week of Solidarity and Togetherness with the Church and People in Bosnia and Herzegovina”.
The funds will be earmarked for 37 projects: 17 in the area of social security, 10 to motivate entrepreneurship and 10 in the field of education and training.
Caritas Croatia and its partner Caritas BK B&H in June advertised a public tender for project grants open to civil and religious associations in the field of education, training and re-qualifications, to motivate the development of small businesses and family trades and farms or co-ops and social or psycho-social projects and programmes earmarked for children, post-war traumatised people and the poor and elderly. 217 projects were received in all and the Project Committee made its selection of 37 projects pursuant to pre-determined selection criteria which were later confirmed by the Steering Committee.
One of the objects of the campaign was to raise funds to assist the poor and needy in B&H but also to sensitise believers and the wider public of the difficult situation in B&H.
Funds were raised partially at the Sunday collection around churches in Croatia on Sunday, 11 March 2007 and partially thanks to the solidarity of citizens and companies in Croatia and a significant donation by the Croatian Government.
// 05. 10. 2007
Caritas Croatia and Vukovar-Srijem County sign agreement of mutual co-operation
On Monday, 1 October 2007, an Agreement of incentives for the development and complete economic and social development of Vukovar-Srijem County (Agreement) was signed in Vukovar. The agreement was signed on behalf of Caritas Croatia (CC) by Director Ivan Milovčić and by County Prefect Božo Galić on behalf of Vukovar-Srijem County (County).
The agreement on mutual co-operation represents CC’s endeavours to contribute to the economic and social growth and development of the County which experienced a great burden during the Homeland War and is now in need of speedy development as a fundamental instrument to achieve economic and social welfare.
The intention of the agreement on the hand is to support entrepreneurship particularly amongst social groups that are not on an equal footing in market competition for example unemployed young experts, unemployed persons over 50, women entrepreneurs, Croatian Homeland War veterans and people with special needs and other marginalised groups to be able to establish some form of self-employment or start up their own business activity and to create their own existence.
Another objective is to activate and support projects in the field of social entrepreneurship within the local community based on the model of a socially sensitive co-op that would be realised together with local County authorities and the local Church.
Finally, the agreement represents Caritas’ attempt to articulate and implement key development, institutional and infrastructural projects that the County recognises to be part of its development priorities.
“To be able to ensure that the agreement we signed here today comes to fruition we will involve the Centre for Innovations and Co-operatives (CERIZ), a special co-op founded with partner institutions such as the Croatian Alliance of Co-ops, Legacoop (Italian Alliance of Co-ops) and the Biskup Josip Lang foundation. CERIZ will collaborate with the County Development Agency and other infrastructural institutions that are significant for the County’s development, veterans’ associations and co-ops as well as other institutions and organisations”, Caritas Director Father Milovčić said.
Once the agreement was signed participants attended a Round Table aimed at identifying projects and activities that should be prioritised as well as specifying various modules of co-operation.
// 01. 10. 2007
Caritas Croatia donates one million kuna to help flood victims in Bangladesh
Caritas Croatia forwarded one million kuna (approximately 138,000€) as support to Bangladesh when virtually half the country was under water after the monsoon season in August leaving more than 500,000 people cut off from the rest of the world without food and drinking water.
The funds raised by Caritas Croatia were forwarded to the local Caritas in Bangladesh and will be earmarked in two main areas. One part will be distributed to the most oppressed, poor and unqualified workers who will be given an allowance to help in repairing and clearing the roads, dams, dunes and fish ponds. The aim of this programme is to employ these people and through their concrete work to help give back their dignity.
In this way they will at least for a short while enable them to earn an income for their existential needs. Care will be taken to employ women. The funds will be used to pay allowances for 48,000 working hours.
The remainder of the funds raised will be used to construct 100 houses for the neediest people who have been left without shelter.
The August floods affected the following countries in South Asia: Pakistan, Bangladesh, India and Nepal and it is estimated that more than 20 million people have been left without a roof over their heads.
Caritas Croatia thanks the Croatian Government for their donation to help the victims of the flooding.
// 26. 09. 2007
650 homes to be built for victims of Peru earthquake
Report from Peru by Phillipp Lang, a member of Caritas Germany representing Caritas Croatia ...
This is an on the spot report from Philipp Lang who is a Caritas Germany field officer and who is also representing Caritas Croatia making sure that money from Croatia via Caritas Croatia gets to the people who need it most.
Posted on 09 September 2007
In the following I would like to give a brief account of the current situation and my impressions, which you could also use to inform the Croatian public and government.
First of all it seems that both the national government and international institutions were/are underestimating the extent of the damages suffered. Until now assistance is focusing on the urban centres of Pisco and to a lesser extent of Chincha, Ica and Canete.
During my stay in Ica and Chincha I visited together with Caritas Peru several places outside the urban areas. In those places the damages suffered are very high. In some areas up to 90% of buildings have been destroyed. Manly the houses of the poor families made of adobe have been totally destroyed. This for example is the case in San Juan Bautista, a village about 15 km north of Ica. During our assessment visit, the villagers informed us that until now they had not received any substantial assistance from the government or other national or international organizations. Only Caritas Peru has set up several community kitchens and is continuously sending needed food supplies.
The people are still cleaning the rubble of their destroyed houses. The streets are covered with rubble, urgently needed machinery for their removal is missing. Even three weeks after the earthquake, still most of the inhabitants are sleeping under simple plastic sheets or in the open. During the nights the temperatures fall to less than 10 degrees.
This situation poses serious health threats. Sister Reyna Ramirez who is working in San Juan Bautista for more than 5 years, explained that respiratory tract infections, skin diseases because of unhygienic conditions and diarrhoea are spreading. The construction of temporary shelter that could offer a minimum of protection and hygienic conditions were mentioned by all persons affected as their first priority. Besides shelter medical assistance is urgently needed. During the first two weeks after the earthquake medical assistance and needed medicaments were delivered free of charge by the Ministry of health, but now people have to pay for treatment and medicaments, which is quite difficult for the big majority of the villagers.
Caritas response
Caritas Peru is currently running more than 1.000 community kitchens in the area affected. A total of approx. 1.600 tons of humanitarian aid items have been distributed including blankets, cloths, food supplies and drinking water. Big efforts are being made to unite the existing community kitchens into bigger units that will focus mainly on especially vulnerable groups such as children, elderly people and sick persons.
The community kitchens are also used to set up organizational structures within the communities. The beneficiaries themselves are in charge of the administration of the community kitchens and have to assume responsibility. This community structures will also be used for the reconstruction process.
Currently Caritas Peru in cooperation with Caritas Germany is focusing on the provision of temporary shelter. For the most urgent cases 300 tents are being purchased and will be distributed during the coming days. Distribution is done through the parishes. The fact that the parish priests know the situation and socio-economic conditions of the families living in their parishes will help to select the beneficiaries and avoid duplication.
In parallel preparations for the provision of more durable temporary shelter is ongoing for which Caritas Croatia will be providing a substantial portion. A problem is the availability of the needed materials. In the quake affected areas prices of some materials have increased more than 200% and most materials are not available anymore. Even in Lima the supplies are getting scarce. Therefore we had to reduce the originally calculated figure of the beneficiaries from 1.000 families to 656 families. Purchase and the distribution of the materials are scheduled to start the coming week.
As Caritas Germany we are planning to focus our longer term-support on the province of Ica. Besides the construcion of permanent houses we will mainly focus on social support for children of socially undeprivileged families in the rural areas.
Attached I send you some pictures I took during the field trips, documenting the still desperate situation and the distribution process Caritas Peru is realizing.
With best regards,
Philip
Earthquake in Peru – General overview
An earthquake measuring 8 on the Richter scale that hit the central coast of Peru on 15 August 2007 lasted for about two minutes. The National Earthquake and Geological Research Centre in the USA estimated that this was a very strong earthquake.
The epicentre of the earthquake was in the sea about 150km southeast from the town of Lima and at a depth of about 30.2 kilometres.
The towns most affected by the earthquake were Pisco, Ica and Chincha Alta in the Ica and San Vicente de Cañete regions around Lima. The earthquake could be felt in the capital Lima and several other towns such as Pucallpa, Iquitos, Contamana, Trujillo and Cajamarca.
The most affected was the town of Pisco which is about 260 km southeast of Lima where more than 80% of the houses were destroyed and 430 residents killed, 148 were attending Mass in the cathedral when the earthquake hit.
The town of Ica suffered too with 17 dead after a church caved in and another 70 injured. More than 85,000 homes were destroyed in this town.
Map of Peru and devastated regions
A map of the devastated areas marking key points opens in a new window.
// 21. 09. 2007
Emergency aid campaign for earthquake victims in Peru
An earthquake measuring 8 on the Richter scale took more than 500 lives injuring around 1,500 people and leaving tens of thousands of families homeless. Apart from food, water, material for temporary shelter, victims urgently require medicines.
Caritas Croatia appeals to all people of good will to take part in this campaign to assist the victims in Peru by making a donation to Caritas Croatia's account at the Privredna banka Zagreb, broj: 2340009-1100080340, poziv na broj 208.
Caritas Peru has organised an emergency aid campaign for the coastal region of Ica, south of the capital Lima, which was worst hit by the quake.
Aid is being mostly directed to the towns of Pisco, Ica, Canete, and Chinch. In Pisco alone, a town on the coast of Peru there are 130,000 residents and three quarters of the housing has been completely destroyed.
Delivery of humanitarian aid via land is significantly hampered due to extensive damages to the Pan-American Highway. Damages to the telecommunication infrastructure means that some areas are completely cut off from the rest of the country and outside world.
21.08.2007
Caritas Croatia campaign for donations to assist flood victims in South Asia
Premature monsoon rains that have been falling for the past month in South Asia have caused flooding in most parts of India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal.
How can you help?
- By making a donation to Caritas’ account at: PBZ 2340009-1100080340 poziv na broj 1008
- or by making your donation at any Catholic parish clearly stating that it is for Caritas’ campaign for flood victims in South Asia.
More than 20 million residents in these countries have been left without a roof over their head and the rain has not stopped falling.
More than half of Bangladesh is under water, more than 500,000 people have been cut off from the world without food and drinking water. Over 7.5 million have fled from their homes.
In India more than 13.5 million people's homes have been flooded and are currently abiding in schools and public institutions or poorly equipped shelters with a high likelihood of infectious diseases spreading. Some shelters are just a little higher than ground level and have managed to escape flooding. In Nepal hundreds of thousands of people have fled from their homes, particularly in the lowlands closer to India. Crops and cattle have been destroyed so people have no way of getting to food which is so desperately required.
According to data collected by Caritas over 12,000 people have been killed in the floods in India, 150 in Bangladesh and more than 100 in Nepal. These numbers will continue to grow until the flooding subsides.
Caritas' network in India is giving aid to more than 50,000 people and several more thousand in other threatened countries, mostly in food, drinking water and temporary shelter and medicines. In keeping with Caritas' mission, help is always directed to those most in need.
Caritas Croatia is joining in the campaign to help those in need by inviting Croatian citizens to show their solidarity for the flood victims with donations so that in co-operation with its partners in these countries Caritas can be involved in concrete efficient projects to help the poorest victims who have been left without a home.
Bishop Josip Mrzljak
President Caritas Croatia
Contact:
Caritas Croatia office ++385 (0)1/481 20 22
10.08.2007
Dukat makes valuable donation of dairy products for children in Caritas' summer camp in Nerezine on the Island of Lošinj
On Monday 16 July this year, Dukat once again made another valuable donation as part of its «MILKY WAY TO GOODNESS» campaign by delivering dairy products to children spending their summer vacation in Caritas' summer camp in Nerezine on the Island of Lošinj.
Dukat will continue to regularly supply healthy, fresh and nutritious dairy products: yoghurt, fruit yoghurt, spreads and milk to the summer camp in Nerezina throughout the month of July.
As part of the «MILKY WAY TO GOODNESS» during August Dukat will donate dairy products to Caritas' children's home in Rovinj.
On 20 June 2007, Dukat launched the «MILKY WAY TO GOODNESS» national project and its first donation consisted of 25,000 litres of milk to beneficiaries at Caritas' field kitchen in Osijek and various other public institutions under the auspices of diocesan Caritases throughout Croatia.
This is the second valuable such donation by Dukat and is valued at over 200,000 kuna.
25.7.2007
Dukat donates 25,000 litres of milk to Caritas Croatia as part of a national humanitarian project, THE MILKY WAY OF GOODNESS
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Until the end of 2007 Dukat is going to regularly donate milk and dairy products to institutions within Caritas Croatia’s network.
On Wednesday, 20 June 2007, together with Caritas Croatia, Dukat presented its MILKY WAY OF GOODNESS project at a press conference held in Caritas' field kitchen in Osijek on the occasion of presenting its donation of 25,000 litres of milk in all with a value of 170,000 kuna.
The donation was distributed all over Croatia from Istria to Slavonia and Međimurje to Dalmatia in the days preceding, through Caritas' network.
The milk donated by Dukat was distributed to institutions within Caritas Croatia's network throughout Croatia as well as other institutions that have co-operative relations with Caritas: elderly peoples' homes, children's homes, field kitchens, half-way houses, homes for children with special needs, half-way houses for the homeless, beneficiaries of Caritas' donor pharmacy, beneficiaries of Caritas' «home care programmes», elderly households in the care of social welfare programmes, social welfare families and centres caring for addicts.
In continuation of this project throughout 2007, Dukat will regularly donate milk and dairy products to institutions within Caritas Croatia's network.
The official presentation of the donation was conducted in Osijek in the presence of Auxiliary Bishop of Đakovo-Srijem, Dr. Đuro Hranić, Caritas Croatia Director Fr. Ivan Milovčić, Director of Đakovo-Srijem Caritas Fr. Ivica Rebić, member of the Board for Sales & Logistics at Dukat Alen Fontana and Ms. Elena Wolsperger, head of Dukat's public relations.
Mr. Fontana did the honours of presenting a model of the symbol of the MILKY WAY OF GOODNESS to Caritas Director Fr. Milovčić – the model is a cardboard meter high glass of milk.
When he presented the model, Mr. Fontana emphasised that “It is not by chance that this public presentation of Dukat’s donation as part of the MILKY WAY OF GOODNESS project was conducted in Osijek in fact. We believe it is our duty to raise awareness and expand charitable activities outside large commercial centres where these types of activities are fairly centralised. That is why we chose to launch our project in Osijek and hope that other individuals and companies will see this as motivation and themselves come up with similar charitable programmes on a national level”, Mr. Fontana concluded.
20.6.2007
Croat elected as new treasurere of Caritas Internationalis
Mr. Grigor Vidmar – a member of the Administrative Board of Caritas Croatia was elected as the new Treasurer of Caritas Internationalis with a majority vote at the eighteenth general assembly held in the Vatican last week.
Caritas Internationalis is a confederation of 162 national Caritases from the entire world and is the second largest humanitarian organisation in the world. Last week Caritas delegates from 162 member organisations met for the 18th General Assembly in the Sinodal Hall at Vatican City on the theme of “Witnesses of Charity, Builders of Peace.”
Delegates elected Cardinal Oscar Rodrigues from Honduras as the new president of this world organisation and the first woman secretary-general, Ms. Lesley-Anne Knight from England.
Grigor Vidmar has been a member of the Administrative Board of Caritas Croatia for the past six years and a member of the finance commission of Caritas Internationalis for the past four.
Apart from confirming the strategic framework of the confederation’s mission for the coming period, delegates organised a photograph on St. Peter’s Square with a huge banner intended for the leaders of the G8 to keep their pledge to decrease the debt of poor countries. Contrary to G8 countries, Caritas all over the world keeps its pledges in serving the poor.
At the end of the assembly Caritas members were honoured to be granted a private audience with Pope Benedict XVI, The Holy Father in a private audience.
20.6.2007
Caritas Croatia's Week of Solidarity and Togetherness with the Church and People in B&H campaign collects 3,255,000 kuna
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With the completion of the «Week of Solidarity and Togetherness with the Church and People in Bosnia-Herzegovina» a press conference was organised on Wednesday, 30 May 2007 in the Large Hall of the Archdiocesan See.
In the campaign which was conducted by Caritas Croatia in March, a total of more than 3,255,000 kuna was collected, Mons. Josip Mrzljak, President of Caritas Croatia said.
Funds were partially collected at Sunday's collections at Masses following a decision by Croatian bishops as a sign of concrete incentive to the campaign to allocate the collection at Masses on Sunday 11 March 2007 towards the campaign. Other funds were collected thanks to the solidarity felt by Croatian citizens and companies and a 1 million kuna donation from the Croatian Government.
Caritas Croatia in co-operation with Caritas Bosnia-Herzegovina will earmark the funds collected towards development, charity and pastoral projects with the aim of concrete assistance for the poor and need in B&H, Caritas Croatia's Director Ivan Milovičić said.
A public invitation for consequent project applications was announced for projects to be granted special funds. Civil society organisations and religious associations can submit their projects dealing with education, training or re-qualifications; project motivating development of small businesses, small family trades, agricultural activities or children's programmes; programmes for people suffering PTSS; and programmes for the poor and elderly.
In order to ensure transparency in implementing the project, two committees have been formed: Project Committee and the Supervisory Committee. The committees are responsible to evaluate the quality of projects submitted, approve funding and monitor the realisation of each project.
The Project Committee consists of representatives of the two national Caritases: Cardinal Vinko Puljić and Bishop Josip Mrzljak, the directors of the national Caritases and members of the Expert Team. The Supervisory Board also consists of five members including representatives from Caritas Croatia and two reputable Croatian businessmen, Mr. Božo Prka, President of the Board of the Privredna Banka Zagreb and Mr. Bruno Iljkić, President of the Commercial Sector of the «Prsten» association – an association of businessmen who originate from B&H.
“We hope that this campaign transforms into a lasting form of witnessing our solidarity with the people and Church in B&H and that the Croatian public is better informed about the situation in that country and are then inspired to help”, Mons. Mrzljak said.
Guests at the press conference included Mons. Bosiljko Rajić, Director of Cariats B&H and members of the Supervisory Board, Messrs. Prka and Iljkić.
30.5.2007
Invitation for project applications for minor projects as part of the development of parish Caritases and voluntarism
Caritas Croatia calls for applications for funding for minor projects earmarked to promoting, developing and renewing/founding parish Caritases and voluntary work.
Parish Caritases can submit their projects independently or in co-operation with their diocesan Caritas and/or in co-operation with other parish Caritases (so-called project partners) or other Church and non-government institutions that are active in their area or region and that are directed to promoting the work and development of parish Caritases and voluntarism.
Selected mini projects that satisfy the set criteria and are given a positive evaluation by the diocesan and national Caritas will be sent to the following address:
Caritas Croatia
Permanent Education Section – APPLICATION FOR FUNDING
e-mail: edu.suzana@zg.t-com.hr
Deadline for applications is 31.5.2007.
Project proposals submitted after that date or do not pass the selection process at the diocesan or national level will not be taken into consideration for funding.
The selection commission will release a list of the projects selected by 15.6.2007. on the Caritas Croatia Web site.
The planned commencement of selected projects in the first round is 1.6.2007.
Funds will be transferred after a Contract of Approval is signed and prior to the planned commencement of the implementation of projects.
Sincere greetings,
Ivan Milovčić, Mr.Sc.
Director, Caritas Croatia
Suzana Borko
Section Head – Permanent Education Section
Campaign results
Thanks to the solidarity expressed by Croatian citizens and companies, this year 5,207,445 kuna was raised for the «For 1000 Joys 2006» campaign, being the fourth in a row to raise money to help those families most in need in Croatia.
In the four years that this campaign has lasted more than 16 million kuna has been raised and assistance was offered to 14,454 families. About 11% more was raised this year in the campaign compared to last year.
A break-up of the donations received indicates that 3,101,849 kuna (60%) was raised in money, goods valued at 1,739,957 kuna (33%) were donated towards the campaign and various services were valued at 365,640 kuna (7%).
Funds raised this year were earmarked to assist 3,199 families. Aid was directed to families through diocesan and parish Caritas organisations; to primary and secondary schools and via church and civil organisations.
Part of the donations was forwarded to thirty kindergartens around the country. Also about ten minor projects were aided that were earmarked to assist families to put a roof over their heads and enable them a life worthy of human beings and which they could not possibly afford without this assistance.
Good people create good times
During the «For 1000 Joys» campaign we encounter various needs of the poor from individual, temporary and partial to those all encompassing like those of the Pilija family from Granešinskih Novaki in Zagreb. Thanks to the kind donations of their parishioners, friends and neighbours the Pilija family were gifted with a brand new house with dignified living conditions which was constructed immediately next to the shanty they had occupied until then.
This project was supported through the mediation of Caritas by numerous tradesmen and companies donating their time, material, products and money required to complete the house. After only four months the Pilija family were able to move into their new home just prior to Christmas.
We are grateful to Nova TV for preparing coverage of this story as this contributed to seeing a happy end to this Christmas tale.
View the video: The story of the house built for the Pilija family
A five-member Roma family belonging to Rajko and Kata Đurđević from Budimci (between Osijel – Čepin – Našice) were able to spend Christmas in their own home. The Đurđević family with their three children were homeless and occasionally lived with their grandparents which too was a ruin.
Prior to the Homeland War, the village was occupied by Serbs who exchanged their homes with Croats from Srijem and some were even on sale for reasonable prices. Funds were collected partially by the Đakovo Diocese Caritas supplying some cash and furniture and partially from donations collected during the «For 1000 Joys» campaign which made it possible to purchase a house for the Đurđević family.
Who are our beneficiaries?
Beneficiaries of the «For 1000 Joys» campaign are families in need: families with many children, single-parent families, families where one or more members have special needs or suffer from some serious illness, returnee families. This year's campaign focused on families of Croatian war veterans in need.
How companies and individuals contributed to the campaign?
Companies made their contributions to Caritas' account no: 2340009 – 1510126452 (Poziv na br. 06); by purchasing appropriate Christmas cards produced by Caritas Croatia and sent as business greeting cards; or through donations of their products or services. This account is active throughout the year (identified by «Za 1000 radosti») so companies and individuals can be actively involved in trying to relieve the hardships faced by families in need.
Individuals made their contributions by calling a special donation telephone no. 060 600 400 (and in that was donated 6.82 kuna/min); by purchasing Christmas cards produced by Caritas Croatia in their parishes; or by making donations to Caritas' account. Payment slips were made available in all branches of PBZ throughout Croatia to facilitate anyone wishing to make a contribution.
Each year new donors become involved in the action and this year our special donor was the Vindija company. Vindija donator 1000 Cekin chickens which were donated to families in Poreč and Rijeka through to Varaždin, Zagreb and Osijek and all the way down to Split, Zadar and Dubrovnik. Vindija's kindness did not stop with this valuable donation instead they added a little joy to so many individuals and families who are under the care of diocesan Caritases in Krk, Osijek, Rijeka, Split, Varaždin, Zadar and Zagreb with a further donation of 100,000 cups of 'z bregov yoghurt and Freska fruit yoghurt.
This year saw yet another first for the «For 1000 Joys» campaign with a valuable donation by Chinese businessmen living in Croatia. The Xiaoping & Xiaoke Cheng brothers who migrated to Croatia four years ago with the families donated 1,200 pairs of men's shoes.
«We wanted to help those in need in Croatia», Mr. Xiaoping Cheng told us. «We believe that this is just another way for our people to better integrate into their new homeland. We hope that other Chinese businessmen in Croatia will join us next year in this and similar campaigns.»
What about schools?
For the third year in a row the “For 1000 Joys” campaign has been particularly geared towards primary and secondary school children with the appropriate approval of the Ministry of Science, Education and Sports. This year’s engagement of children and youth was exceptionally significant once again.
There seems to be a growing awareness amongst school children and their teachers for other individuals in need as well as a readiness to help other and promoting general good.
The results of this year’s campaign indicate for example, that students and teachers raised about 20% of this year’s proceeds. More than half of what they raised – more than 500,000kuna was distributed directly to families in need in their own local community.
Like last year, we suggested that schools involved in the campaign retain 50% of the funds raised for “their own needs”, i.e. poorer families within their own school community. The remainder was forwarded to Caritas Croatia as a sign of solidarity to help other poor families throughout Croatia.
This year’s product was designed specifically for school children and youth (in Zagreb, older kindergarten groups) in the form of stickers. The stickers were practical and shaped in signs as messages to their friends, relatives and acquaintances telling them how much they mean to them.
We are grateful to CAVARPAYER designers and that the authors of the concepts of Caritas’ Christmas campaign over the past three years who were able to find successful solutions to approach and reach children and the young.
Christmas with a Christmas tree
Our thanks goes too to “Hrvatske šume” (Croatian Forests), for once again donating their Christmas trees for the fourth year in a row for the campaign and were sold with the proceeds being directed towards the campaign. We are pleased that the number of people buying our Christmas trees has grown from year to year and in that way too, the help we can offer to those in need.
Being an institution that cares for our environment and sustainability these trees are sold with their roots and can be replanted in gardens or be used as a decoration on a balcony. This year trees were sold in Zagreb but also in six other larger cities: Karlovac, Rijeka, Sisak, Slavonski Brod, Varaždin and Zadar.
Once again, our gratitude is extended to Hrvatske šume for their fruitful and kind co-operation!
What we noticed during this year’s campaign!
We noticed this year that the list of our business donors has expanded so that in addition to our usually “large” donors including PBZ, HEP, HT, this year there was a great response from smaller companies and businessmen. Contributions made by individuals, both children and adults, too are increasing each year. Sometimes the smallest contribution is the largest!
Information from the field received from diocesan Cartiases seems to indicate that the campaign has become accepted “at the grass roots level” and that individuals see this as a concrete way of helping the most varied needs that families can become faced with. On the other hand as Christmas draws closer each year, potential beneficiaries are aware that there is hope of help waiting for them.
Who helped?
We thank the following companies, government bodies and City authorities for becoming involved in our campaign: Cheng, Croatia osiguranje, DIS, Ecos, Fenix, Ferotehna, Fina Zagreb, Fokus, HBOR, HEP, Hrvatske autoceste, Hrvatske ceste, Hrvatska lutrija, Hrvatska pošta, Hrvatske šume, Hrvatske vode, HT, Hrvatske željeznice, Gramat, JANAF, Jedinstvo, Karlovačka banka, Kenda nekretnine, Končar, Limes plus, LURA, Markottel, Medikol, Mozaik knjiga, Odašiljači i veze, Partner banka, PBZ, Peko-Dal, Petrokemija, Plinacro, PLIVA, PPK, Stipić Interart, TLOS, Ustanova Dobri dom, Ured za zdravstvo, rad, socijalnu zaštitu i branitelje Grada Zagreba, Ured za obrazovanje, kulturu u šport Grada Zagreba, Vindija, Vlada RH, Zračna luka Zagreb, Zagrebačka banka, and many other business men.
We also thank all those individuals and companies whose generosity helped make this campaign so worthwhile.
We also thank the Cities of Benkovac, Pakrac, Omiš, Vodice, Slavonski Brod, Samobor and Zagreb.
Thank you to the press for their support without which the action just could not be as successful: Glas koncila, HKR, Hrvatski radio, Narodni radio, Nova TV, Obiteljski radio, Plavi radio, Radio Cibona, Radio OK, 24 sata, Jutarnji list, Zagreb News, Zagrebački radio, HTTPool, banka.hr and plivazdravlje.hr web sites.
We thank the students of Zagreb’s Economic Faculty who were actively involved once again this year in various tasks required to assist the campaign. Once again this year these students were actively involved in selling our Caritas Christmas cards at the Economic Faculty in Zagreb.
We are particularly grateful to our sister organisations – Diocesan Caritases. We are aware that without their co-operation and their insight in the true needs of families that we assist and who are often in need of aid throughout the year, the “For 1000 Joys” campaign could not possibly be brought to fruition.
Promotion of “Guide to the path of non-violence” handbook
The Centre for Peace, Non-violence and Human Rights in co-operation with Caritas Croatia invites to the launching of a handbook entitled “Guide to the path of non-violence”.
The book launch will be held on Tuesday, 3 April 2007, at 11 a.m. at the “Bogdan Ogrizović” library and book shop, Preradovićeva 5, Zagreb.
The handbook “Guide to the Path of Non-violence” is a reflection and workshop to train members of Church and religious communities how to act in a non-violent way. The handbook was edited by Ana Raffai and Snježana Kovačević. The handbook is meant for all those who are interested in non-violent peaceful action as well as unifying religious and peace organisations.
It contains unique texts in that it combines theological thinking and practical peace keeping and acts as a guide to develop a theology of peace that leans on our present context and religious tradition.
Contakts:
Snježana Kovačević
Centre for Peace, Non-Violence and Human Rights, Osijek,
Programme Leader of Cultural Non-violence
Ph. ++ 385 (0)31 206 886,
eduka@centar-za-mir.hr
Boris Peterlin,
Caritas Croatia
Ph. ++ 385 (0)1 4871 923, ++ 385 (0)99 4812 209
Caritas Croatia Director and staff congratulate Msgr. Josip Mrzljak on his appointment as the new Varaždin bishop.
Dear and respected father bishop,
The announcement of your appointment as Bishop of Varaždin caught us in the Lenten period in which we empathise with Jesus during the last days of his earthly walk in life and hintingly awaiting the joy of Easter.
We sincerely hope that you will be able to loyally, fervently, wisely and conduct the responsible service commissioned to you each day leaning always on our good friend Jesus for support who experienced temptation and challenges, disappointment and hope by being close with the Father. We believe that the Lord will give you the strength, courage and skill required to – followed by his love and blessing – round off your pastoral mission in the Varaždin Diocese and the entire Church in Croatia, like St. Paul, «I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith....»
We pray that in your new service your heart will grow in a special way in merciful support for the poor, marginalised and oppressed – all those who are small – so that the Varaždin Diocese and our entire homeland Croatia may become a better, more beautiful and just place for each and every one of its citizens.
Director and staff of Caritas Croatia
A one-day conference entitled Solidarity and Togetherness with the Church and People in Bosnia-Herzegovina
Networking towards New Visions will be held on 16.3.2007 commencing at 9 a.m. at the Sheraton Hotel in Zagreb. The purpose of the conference is to offer a global view of current events in Bosnia-Herzegovina from the population, geo-political, social and religious aspects and to inform the public in Croatia about the situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The morning session of the conference – lectures – is open to the public.
Introductory speakers at the opening of the conference include: Bishop Josip Mrzljak, President of Caritas Croatia; Cardinal Josip Bozanić, President of the Croatian Conference of Bishops; Cardinal Vinko Puljić, President of the Conference of Bishops of Bosnia-Herzegovina; Mr. Milan Bandić, Mayor of Zagreb; and Dr. Ivo Sanader, Croatian Prime Minister. The introductory speeches will be followed by a brief expose prepared by high-school students from the Catholic School Centres in Sarajevo and Žepče.
The moderator of the Conference will be Mr. Goran Milić and guest speakers include: Dr. Franjo Topić from the Croatian Cultural Society „Napredak“ from Sarajevo; Dr. Anđelko Akrap from the Economics Faculty, University of Zagreb; Dr. Josip Jurčević from the Ivo Pilar Research Institute; Dr. Ivan Bubalo from the Franciscan Faculty of Theology, Sarajevo; Dr. Božo Žepić from the Law Faculty, University of Mostar.
Improving circumstances for entrepreneurs and self-employment for unemployed highly qualified persons through training and counselling
In co-operation with Caritas Austria and support from the Die Erste österreichische Spar-Casse Foundation, Caritas Croatia has commenced its pilot project entitled Improving circumstances for entrepreneurs and self-employment for Unemployed Highly-Qualified Persons through Training and Counselling. The project is aimed at motivating unemployed highly-qualified people to resolve existential issues by starting their own business project. The project is being implemented in three counties: Vukovar-Srijem; Lika-Senj; and Sisak-Moslavina.
Together with the Croatian Employment Institute, Caritas Croatia has organised information sessions at which more than 200 interested candidates were given detailed information with the vital aspects of the project.
Seminars were conducted in Vukovar and Vinkovci (5 March), Sisak (6 March) and Kutina (7 March), and Gospić (12 March).
This project is just one aspect of the Creating an Existence programme.
Caritas Croatia Press Conference – in the week from 4 to 11 March 2007, Caritas Croatia organising campaign to help the Church and people in B&H
Zagreb, 6 March 2007 – At a press conference held in the hall of the Croatian Conference of Bishops’ residency on Kaptol 22, Caritas Croatia presented its latest campaign “Week of Solidarity and Togetherness with the Church and People in Bosnia-Herzegovina”, to be held in the week from 4 to 11 March 2007.
Speakers at the conference included Caritas Croatia President, Auxiliary Bishop of Zagreb, Msgr. Josip Mrzljak and Caritas Croatia Director, Fr. Ivan Milovčić as well as Fr. Žarko Relota the captain of the Croatian national priests’ soccer team; Prof. Anđelko Akrap from the Economics Faculty, University of Zagreb; Mr. Bruno Iljkić, the president of the commerce section of the ‘Prsten’ association and opera singer Ms. Sandra Bagarić who showed her sign of support for this project with her presence.
Speakers presented the objectives of the campaign and activities that would be organised during the Week of Solidarity and in what way funds would be raised. The main objectives of the campaign are:
1. material help for the Church and people in Bosnia-Herzegovina; and
2. to contribute to brining down any prejudice and stereotypes leading to a better understanding of the people in Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatian citizens who originate from that country.
The fund raising starts on 7 March 2007, with a mini-soccer match between the national priests’ teams of Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina to be held at the Dom sportova in Zagreb, Hall 2, commencing at 15.30. Entry is free of charge however, contributions will be gladly accepted.
On Sunday, 11 March, the collection at Mass in all Catholic parishes in Croatia and abroad (Croatian Catholic Missions) will be directed to a special fund to be managed by Caritas Croatia. That day, Bishop Josip Mrzljak will celebrate the Main Holy Mass in the Holy Spirit parish in Sesvete (Domjanićeva 10). Donations can also be made by dialling 060 600 400.
Together Caritas Croatia and Caritas of the Conference of Bishops of B&H will direct funding for projects dealing with social welfare, education and motivating small businesses in B&H.
In addition Caritas officials announced a one-day conference entitled Solidarity and Togetherness with the Church and People in Bosnia-Herzegovina
Networking towards New Visions to be held on 16.3.2007 commencing at 9 a.m. at the Sheraton Hotel in Zagreb. The purpose of the conference is to offer a global view of current events in Bosnia-Herzegovina from the population, geo-political, social and religious aspects and to inform the public in Croatia about the situation in Bosnia-Herzegovina. The morning session of the conference – lectures – is open to the public.
The moderator of the Conference will be Mr. Goran Milić and guest speakers include: Dr. Franjo Topić from the Croatian Cultural Society „Napredak“, from Sarajevo; Dr. Anđelko Akrap from the Economics Faculty, University of Zagreb; Dr. Vine Mihaljević from the Ivo Pilar Research Institute; Dr. Božo Žepić from the Law Faculty, University of Mostar; Mr. Pavo Zubak from the ‘Prsten’ association and the owner of Auto Zubak; Ms. Pavica Nujić from the ‘Plehan’ association; Dr. Ante Kvesić from Mostar hospital; Mr. Ivica Mršo the principle of the Catholic School Centre in Sarajevo; and Mr. Tihomir Šutalo the principle of the Catholic School Centre in Žepče.
Caritas Croatia President’s letter marking the Week of Solidarity and Togetherness with the Church and People in Bosnia-Herzegovina
Dear Sir!
In addition to the letter by all the bishops in Croatia for the Week of Solidarity and Togetherness with the Church and People in Bosnia-Herzegovina, I wish to address you as the President of Caritas Croatia - the exponent of this project. It is our desire that this campaign which has been welcomed by all us bishops in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina as well as many others, proves to be a success and lasting expression of our compassion and solidarity with our compatriots in B&H who have indebted us in so many ways.
I take this opportunity to ask you, dear brethren to inspire your parishioners and all people of good will in your parish to respond to the Week of Solidarity and Togetherness. What we need to do to be able to animate the entire community to take part is:
- post the enclosed poster in a visible place in your church;
- on the 2nd Sunday of Lent, remind your faithful that the 3rd Sunday of Len will be dedicated to raising fund to aid the Church in B&H;
- to attract attention in you local parish bulleting to the Week and the activities that will be organised during that week;
- on the 3rd Sunday in Lent, remind the faithful gathered at Mass that the collection will go as aid B&H;
- deposit funds taken at the collection to Caritas Croatia’s account: PBZ, broj rč. 2340009-1100080340 poziv na broj 07; note the name of the depositor – parish;
- advise your immediate Ordinary about the funds collected.
We also ask that you on the 2nd and 3rd Sundays in Lent you invite a fellow priest from B&H to come and celebrate Holy Mass and give the homily about the difficulties faced by his particular parish community; parishes where there are communities of people who have settled in Croatia but are from B&H, can organise encounters where these people can speak about their experience in refuge and exile and settling in Croatia, the challenges and opportunities they are faced with in integrating into their new community; during the Week of Solidarity organise a public lecture (e.g. of a possible topic: life and hardships faced by the Church in B&H). A lasting sign of witnessing your solidarity can be expressed in fellowship with a parish in B&H.
We are grateful for the gifts that the people from these regions endowed upon us enriching us with their faith and talents. We hope that our togetherness and solidarity takes on a concrete form that will become recognised in the union of good. In that regard it is worth pointing out the Epistle to the Galatians: “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, and especially to those who are of the household of faith” (cf. Gal. 6:10; Deus Caritas Est 25). Let us act as mutual support and encouragement while we say to the people and Church in B&H, You are not alone, you are not forgotten!
My brotherly greeting in Christ!
Josip Mrzljak
President Caritas Croatia
Letter by the Bishops of the Croatian Conference of Bishops for the Lenten Campaign to aid the Church and People in Bosnia-Herzegovina
Dear faithful and all people of good will!
The people and Church in Bosnia-Herzegovina have for years now been faced with the consequences resulting from our most recent historical events however, they have not waned in their efforts for of renewal and growth. Following 1991, about 300,000 Catholics were displaced or took refuge of whom, hardly one-half have remained in Croatia. The others emigrated to third countries. Those wishing to return are faced with many hardships. The Church in B&H tirelessly serves the people who have remained in the country or as returnees, have been stripped of everything that is required for a dignified life worthy of every man: hope, security, prospects, justice, health, a home, employment, wages to support one’s family, access to culture, participation in public life.
The Church in Croatia, in the Evangelic spirit of togetherness with those “who belong to the family of believers» (Gal 6:10), has nurtured solidarity with the people in these regions in B&H who need help by offering them assistance in various ways. Until now, help was usually organised on a diocesan and parish level. At the same time we in Croatia are grateful for the gifts that the people who came to Croatia from these areas have enhanced our country with their faith, cultural identity and have helped in building this country with their knowledge and work. We are particularly grateful for the many priests and religious that sprouted from the deep foundations of the faith of the Church in B&H.
In his first encyclical Deus Caritas Est, Pope Benedict XVI stresses “Our times call for a new readiness to assist our neighbours in need. The Second Vatican Council had made this point very clearly: “Now that, through better means of communication, distances between peoples (…) charitable activity can and should embrace all people and all needs”. (No. 30)
We, bishops of the Croatian Conference of bishops, have decided to help our sister Church during the Week of Solidarity and Togetherness with the Church in Bosnia-Herzegovina (4 – 11 March 2007). It is our hope that the public in Croatia becomes aware of the dramatic situation faced by the people and Church in B&H; that the information they have is complete and informative; that a feeling of solidarity, co-responsibility and desire to help those more misfortunate is awakened in everyone. Our message to the suffering people and Church in B&H is, ‘You are not alone; we are with you in our thoughts, feelings, prayers, good will and acts of Christian love and solidarity.
We call on the faithful and people of good will to include themselves in this campaign with their own personal contributions. This can be done by becoming involved in activities that will be organised in parish communities during the Week of Solidarity; making a donation to Caritas Croatia’s bank account or to your local parish priest; or by calling the special donation telephone number.
We hope that this campaign will become a lasting way to witness our solidarity with our sister Church in B&H because she needs our support, closeness and understanding.
We express our gratitude to all those who, according to their ability, will take part in this campaign and call God’s blessing upon you all.
Your bishops
Zagreb, on the Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple – 2 February 2007
Interview with the Caritas Croatia Director Ivan Milovčić
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GK: In the last issue of Glas koncila we released news that at the last regular annual session of our two bishops’ conferences, of Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, held on 22 January 2007, they discussed a campaign by the Catholic Church in Croatia to assist the Catholic Church in B&H. In that regard, it was said that assistance would be organised through the two national Caritases, Caritas Croatia and Caritas B&H. Can you give us some more information about the campaign?
Ivan Milovčić: Croatian bishops gathered at their regular autumn sitting of the Croatian Conference of Bishops in Đakovo in October 2006, decided to support and motivate Caritas Croatia’s initiative to help our sister Caritas in B&H and to organise a wider campaign of raising funds and awareness amongst the public in Croatia about the difficult situation in B&H. I would like to draw attention here to the purpose of this campaign – to express our solidarity and togetherness with the people and Church in B&H where, it seems, it is increasingly difficult to deal with the consequences of the war. Poverty, exile, refuge, inability to realise rights pertaining to all men, the right to work and be paid, health, safety, a home, access to culture, participating in public life and more are just some of the hardships that make up the phenomena that describes the situation in B&H.
After 1991, around 300,000 faithful were displaced or took refuge from B&H of whom, it is estimated, barely one-half remained in Croatia, while the others emigrated to third countries. Very few decide to return and those who do are faced with these and many other hardships.
GK: You mentioned a campaign, what sort of campaign and who is going to organise it?
Ivan Milovčić: The first question we asked ourselves was – what should we do that is available and possible for us to achieve so that the Croatian public realises the dramatic situation faced by the people and Church in B&H. We are aware that if we wish to arouse any feeling of solidarity amongst citizens and the faithful in Croatia and of course responsibility and desire to improve the situation for the people and Church in B&H, we need to work on properly informing them.
At the same time, we want to tell the people and Church in B&H: You are not alone; We are with you in our thoughts, feelings, prayers and good will.
GK: The news of the Week of Solidarity was released during the sitting of the Conference of bishops. Can you describe its purpose and when does it begin?
Ivan Milovčić: For the purpose of realising this objective, the week will be organised from 4 – 11 March 2007, that is, between the second and third Sundays in Lent under the title The Week of Solidarity and Togetherness with the Church in B&H. According to the bishops’ wishes, more precisely, as a result of the awareness of the seriousness of the situation, they suggested that we organise activities throughout the entire week. The bishops too wished to concretely motivate the campaign and decided that the Sunday collection, i.e. all the monies collected in all churches throughout Croatia on the third Sunday of Lent – 11 March 2007 – would be directed towards the campaign. Funds raised during the campaign will be used by Caritas Croatia in co-operation with Caritas BC B&H for charitable and pastoral projects earmarked towards concrete aid to the poor and those in need in B&H.
Fund raising is particularly important but it is not the only way to show our solidarity. During that Week, each bishop will motivate the priests in his diocese, pastors and parishioners to get closer to establish fraternities with parishes in B&H. The Church needs to utilise that which it has at its disposal and that is its network. Some of the possible activities, which are not binding by any means, are to connect two parishes or two parish Caritas organisations to organise a combined pilgrimage; support a joint project; exchange experiences, information, know-how, encouraging voluntarism, etc. In that way, those who are, let’s say, stronger can help raise those, let’s say weaker while at the same time strengthening solidarity between our faithful.
GK: What are Caritas Croatia’s and Caritas B&H’s expectations, that is, the Croatian Conference of Bishops, regarding the success of this campaign? And one more question, how can the faithful participate?
Ivan Milovčić: Above all it is important to raise awareness of the reality in which the Church and people in B&H live in and to sensitise our faithful and then the wider community so that anyone in keeping with their ability can participate in this campaign. During the following weeks and in particular during the Week of Solidarity, we will endeavour to inform the faithful through the media.
I invite anyone who wishes to personally contribute to this campaign to do so by participating in the activities that will be organised in parish communities during the Week of Solidarity or to make a donation to Caritas Croatia’s account or in their local parish. Caritas’s account number is: Hrvatski Caritas - 2340009-1100080340, poziv na broj 07.
In the end, I would like to point out that we in Croatia are aware and grateful for the gift that the people from B&H, who have come to Croatia, for enriching us with their faith, culture, knowledge and work. We are particularly grateful for the many priests and religious who have sprouted on the foundations of their deep faith of the Church in B&H. As such, we do not doubt that the faithful in Croatia will respond to this appeal to help our sister Church because she needs our support, closeness and understanding.
Interview with Bishop Mrzljak
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GK: The Week of Solidarity and Togetherness of the Church in Croatia with the Church in B&H is being prepared and will be implemented from 4 – 11 March this year by Caritas Croatia in co-operation with Caritas B&H. How is it that the bishops chose Lent 2007 to motivate the faithful for readiness and solidarity with the Church in B&H on a national level?
Bishop Josip Mrzljak: At its regular sitting held in Đakovo last autumn the Croatian Conference of Bishops agreed that this campaign would be most successful if held during Lent. Lent is a powerful period in the liturgical year in the Church when Christians are called up to live their faith more intensively in all of its aspects. This is a time to re-question and strengthen one’s faith particularly in acts of contrition and abdication. That abdication is always dedicated to something or someone. This Week of solidarity is an expression of brotherly love for Christians in B&H, as well as a sign of encouragement during the historical moment they are living in that they remain loyal to the original mission of the Church. We are particularly called in this regard in Pope Benedict XVI encyclica Deus Caritas Est.
GK: In what way will the funds that are collected during this unique national campaign be able to strengthen the Church in B&H, i.e. respond to the actual needs and challenges of the faithful in B&H who themselves live in absolutely varying conditions within the country?
Bishop Josip Mrzljak: The problems, needs and challenges that stand before the Church in B&H preserve plurality and variety in the regional context. Resources will be directed to projects that maintain this variety of needs. We will discuss and agree to actual projects with the bishops in B&H and the local Caritas organisations.
GK: The Church in Croatia has until now – mostly on a diocesan and parish level – helped the people in B&H. What can be done to motivate the community of the faithful to take part in this campaign?
Bishop Josip Mrzljak: I take this opportunity to call on all pastors themselves to act as motivators amongst the faithful and of all people of good will in their parishes and to respond to the Week of Solidarity and Togetherness. With this aim in mind, they can, for example, put up the posters Caritas Croatia has prepared, in a visible spot in their church. On the second Sunday of Lent, they can remind their faithful that the third Sunday in Lent will be dedicated to raising funds to help the Church in B&H with its activities. Parishes that have their own newsletter can draw additional attention to the Week and various activities that will be organised as well as informing their local press, and various associations – cultural, artistic, civil.
Parish priests are welcome to invite their fellow priests from B&H to celebrate Holy Mass in their parish on the second and third Sundays in Lent and to speak about the conditions in which their parishioners live. My colleagues, bishops, can further assist by preaching in their Masses about the motives and reasons why the Church in Croatia has decided to help our brothers in B&H and in this way, motivating the faithful to take part.
GK: Croatian parishes today consist of many parishioners who come from B&H. What are your expectations of the events that will take place at the parish level?
Bishop Josip Mrzljak: We hope that pastors in these parishes will organise events during the Week at which the faithful from B&H will be able to speak about their experiences in exile and the problems, challenges they faced in trying to settle in Croatia and become integrated into their new community. We believe that it is important to offer opportunities for people to express their own experiences. A possibility is to organise public lectures to include the parish community and even the wider community in various public institutions so that the wider community can be informed “first hand” about these problems. Topics for lectures could be about the life and hardships faced by the Church in B&H. A more lasting was of witnessing our solidarity could be to organise fraternities with parishes in B&H.
GK: What are your expectations as far as raising funds is concerned and how will this be organised?
Bishop Josip Mrzljak: The Sunday collection, i.e. all the collections taken during Mass on the third Sunday in Lent – 11 March 2007 – will be paid directly towards the campaign. The faithful though can make their own personal contributions to Caritas Croatia’s account: 2340009 - 1100080340, poziv na br. 07. or even simpler, by calling our donation phone number: 060600 400.
We are hoping for a good response from businessmen in Croatia too – particularly those who come from B&H or are in some way connected to that country. We will also try to contact the Croatian Government which until now has on several occasions recognised that co-operation with Caritas Croatia is an effective way to direct funding to those in need, minority groups, vulnerable members of society and the like.
We hope that this campaign will not be a one-off event but will become a lasting way to witness our solidarity with the Church in B&H and that each Lent the results of the campaign will be better and better.
Charity soccer match between the national priests’ soccer teams of Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina
A charity soccer match between the national priests’ soccer teams of Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina will be held on 7.3.2007, at the Dom sportova in Zagreb, commencing at 15.30 h.
The match is organised as part of the Week of Solidarity with the Church and People in B&H and marks the start of fund raising for this campaign.
The price of tickets for the public is on a voluntary basis and as such has not been set so, we ask you to come and give as much as you are able.
We thank you for your response and participation in this event.
- About the Lenten Campaign The Week of Solidarity and Togetherness with the Church and People of Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Msgr. Josip Mrzljak’s epistle marking The Week of Solidarity and Togetherness
with the Church and People of Bosnia-Herzegovina - Pilgrimage of prayer in Zagreb parishes
- Download info material
