ZAGREB, March 25, 2018 - The Zagreb Archdiocese said on Sunday that yesterday's protest in the capital against the ratification of the Istanbul Convention was a contribution to genuine dialogue between state officials and citizens, and that citizens rightfully believed the ratification of the "contentious document" would introduce in Croatia's legal system and social processes the "unscientific and, above all, harmful gender ideology."
The Archdiocese said in a press release the Croatian Bishops Conference had stated its position on the Convention a number of times, the last time in November with a message entitled "Advocating the fundamental values of education and family".
In it, the bishops said it was necessary to launch a public consultation on the ratification and consider all the doubts it raised in order to avoid harmful long term consequences, notably in the legislative and educational systems, and consequently on Croatian society, the press release said.
The Archdiocese said Pope Francis had called gender ideology "ideological colonisation" and that believers "were called on to publicly testify their Christian identity, notably when it comes to fundamental moral issues concerning the individual, the family and society as a whole."
The Archdiocese said it supported all efforts of believers which served to build a just society and protect the human dignity of every woman, man and family.
