Church promotes its own interests, not principles

Croatian Christian Coalition strongly condemned the fact that Croatian Bishops' Conference tries to influence the elections.

‘Croatian Christian Coalition will support any future president whose program and the principles reflect a desire and willingness to support the Croatian Constitution as well as to promote justice regardless of his or her religious belief’, said the opening statement released by the Croatian Christian Coalition.

The statement further specifies how Christian principles are principles of fairness and morality, but how they should not be reflected in Catholic Church only, but also in individuals who publicly declare themselves as members of certain religious group.

‘Statement released by the Croatian bishops concerning the presidential election is a clear message to Croatian citizens to vote for candidates who will advocate their political views and interests, in spite the fact that these candidates may  oppose the constitutional principles of equality and justice’, statement explains.

Faith and work on Sundays is not something that Bishops should deal with

In addition, the Christian Coalition is concerned about the statements of the Catholic Church that are contrary to democratic principles of righteousness. They encouraged the Catholic Church to reconsider their undemocratic views and decide whether they truly support the people who are set on defending the fairness, or just people who declared themselves Catholic, regardless of their personal morality and justice.

‘Faith is not something that someone can force on somebody else through the state institutions and schools, but it is a matter of personal commitment and spiritual impact on others. Also non-working Sunday is not a matter for the Catholic Church, but it should be resolved by professional and state institutions’, continued the statement.

Christian Coalition does not support religious education in schools

With their current statements and positions, the Catholic Church does not show any support for religious pluralism, guaranteed by the Constitution and the Croatia’s principles of democracy, because it is not in their best  interest. On the other hand, best interests of the Republic of Croatia may not be necessarily the best interests of the Catholic Church.

Patriotism is not based on the declaration of religious affiliation, but on practical effort to improve Croatia for each and every individual.

Croatian Christian Coalition also does not support the religious education in public schools because it discriminates against members of other religious groups and their beliefs.

Created a bad image of Christianity in public

‘Religious catechism is a matter of family affiliation and it should take place primarily within religious institutions. Croatian Christian Coalition believes that the Catholic Church is manipulating its followers and protecting its financial interests secured by the non-transparent contracts made with the state. The funds that they receive from the government are paid by all of Croatian taxpayers, regardless of their religious belief’, says CCC.

Croatian Catholic coalition claims that these actions do not help promote Christianity, but instead, create a negative image of the Church as institution that promotes its own interests through politics and public institutions. CCC believes that Church should return to its healthy roots and promote a transformative power of faith in Jesus Christ that changes the individual and makes them into good citizens. They also believe that Christians should promote interests of all of Croatia’s citizens by doing good deeds, instead of just limiting themselves to talking about Christian principles.