ZAGREB, 17 April 2022 - Celebrating Easter mass on Sunday, the Archbishop of Zagreb, Cardinal Josip Bozanić, called on the faithful to stand ready to help, notably displaced persons from Ukraine, and said "the future does not belong to thugs."

We are called upon not to be closed in ourselves, to build a world of unity and solidarity against discouragement and selfishness, the cardinal said.

He recalled philosopher Max Horkheimer's statement that one should refuse to accept a reality according to which the executioner is always right in relation to his victim.

"The future does not belong to violence, that is the deep point of Easter," Bozanić said.

Today we are praying for all our needs, for the homeland, for world peace, and primarily for peace in Ukraine, he said, adding that peace is necessary to those attacked as well as to the attackers, and mostly to the instigators and commanders.

"Let's continue to stand ready to help charitably, notably in taking in the displaced. Our recent experience of war, suffering and exile strengthens our openness for generosity. We deeply believe that innocent victims will bring a blessing to those who in these weeks have been going through an ordeal unworthy of man."

Bozanić concluded his sermon by quoting the Blessed Alojzije Stepinac, who said in the Zagreb Cathedral on 13 April 1941 that peace was one of Christ's most beautiful gifts after the resurrection. The relevance of his words is a strong message for our times, he said.

The mass was attended by Prime Minister Andrej Plenković, Veterans Minister Tomo Medved, Interior Minister Davor Božinović, Culture Minister Nina Obuljen Koržinek, and Foreign Minister Gordan Grlić Radman as well as, according to Bozanić, a group of refugees from Ukraine.

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ZAGREB, 3 January, 2021 - The Archbishop of Zagreb called on all those responsible on Saturday to approach post-earthquake reconstruction in an organised fashion, saying it requires speed, perseverance and effective oversight so that those affected are protected from those always ready to exploit the misfortune of others.

Cardinal Josip Bozanic was speaking at a mass held on the day of mourning for those killed and injured in the 6.2 earthquake that rocked Sisak-Moslavina County on Tuesday.

"Tonight, in spirit, we wish to be close to all who are anxious and scared, who are suffering because of what they are going through."

He prayed for the speedy recovery of those injured and for everyone to find the courage to strengthen hope and not give in to despondency.

"Let's pray for those killed and wounded," Bozanic said, for all those who lost their homes, churches, schools and buildings housing social, administrative and cultural institutions.

The cardinal especially prayed for peace and deliverance from fear, and called for solidarity and assistance, which he said had already manifested itself.

He underlined the young in Croatia and the neighbouring countries, saying they had come to help the people in need without being called on to do so.

"This amazing voice of solidarity has shown once again how much good we carry inside," he said, mentioning all the services on the ground in the quake-hit area, including firefighters and police.

Among those present at the service was Foreign Minister Gordan Grlic Radman.

ZAGREB, Aug 15, 2020 - In his sermon in the Marian shrine of Marija Bistrica, held on Saturday on the occasion of the Feast of the Assumption, Zagreb Archbishop Josip Bozanic said that the family was the institution that had borne the brunt of the coronavirus pandemic.

"Brothers and sisters, as I look at you here, I can see that families prevail. We can say that the family is the institution that has borne the brunt of the crisis in recent months and that it has saved us. When everything stopped, the family remained," Bozanic told the faithful who gathered in Marija Bistrica for the central, open-air mass on the occasion of the Feast of the Assumption.

"It is interesting that at a time when attempts are being made to devalue family as an institution, we are again returning to that basic unit of human society. The family saves us," said the dignitary, among other things.