Number of donation recommendations for the Epiphany Festival ensures outrage!

Number of donation recommendations for the Epiphany Festival ensures outrage!

Zagreb, Kroatien - In Croatia, a recently published "price list" for house blows by priests for the Epiphany Festival for excitement and resentment among the faithful. The church emphasizes that it is only recommendations, but this has already triggered numerous protest, as various Croatian media report. The recommended donation amount of at least 30 euros is particularly criticized, while wealthy believers should even pay up to 100 euros for a house blessing. This situation is described as sensitive by Jesuit Father Stanko Perica, since the topic in Croatia has polarized several times. The resistance to such donation recommendations is reinforced by the fact that the Church is primarily financed in Croatia through voluntary donations instead of a church contribution system. According to Kathpress , the Catholic Church in society is now very regarded, but the price list is now evident and is considered inappropriate, especially in the context of Pope Franziskus ’ Frugality.

The Greek Catholic Eparchie by Križevci

Another central topic is the Greek-Catholic Eparchie by Križevci, which was restructured in October 2020 under the direction of Bishop Milan Stipić. The Eparchie extends over Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Slovenia and has set itself the goal of expanding its pastoral services and setting up new liturgical centers, especially in Dalmatia and Ljubljana. This development shows the endeavor to promote the Byzantine tradition across national borders, as shown in the article by noek.info . In addition, the Eparchie is described as missionary to bring the eastern tradition closer to all Catholics.

An outstanding project under Bishop Stipić is the revival of the Kričke monastery in Dalmatia, which was severely affected in World War II and the Balkan Ranes. The restoration of this religious center symbolically stands for the common spiritual wealth and the overcoming of tensions between different denominations. Stipić follows an innovative approach to the challenges of modern society and is looking for the integration of the Greek Catholic communities that are often affected by the social and economic upheavals.