Meeting of the Head of DESS with the Ambassador of Croatia: Experience in Harmonizing State-Church Relations and Supporting Ukrainians in Croatia
During the meeting between the Head of DESS Viktor Yelensky and the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Croatia to Ukraine Anica Djamic, they discussed the experience in harmonizing state-church relations, the return of nationalized and confiscated church property, and policies regarding national minorities. Special attention was paid to pastoral care among Ukrainians who are temporarily staying in Croatia. They also discussed issues of restitution of sacred buildings and other church property in both countries, experience in forming military chaplaincy services, as well as practices in supporting the culture and education of national minorities.
Meeting of the Head of DESS with the Ambassador of Croatia: Experience in Harmonizing State-Church Relations and Supporting Ukrainians in Croatia
Ukrainian and Croatian experiences in harmonizing state-church relations, the return of nationalized and confiscated church property, and policies regarding national minorities were at the center of discussion during the meeting between the Head of DESS Viktor Yelensky and the Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Croatia to Ukraine Anica Djamic.
During the conversation, special attention was paid to pastoral care among the 22,000 Ukrainians who have found themselves in Croatia since the beginning of the large-scale invasion. The Head of DESS talked about the system of support for Ukrainian clergy to provide care for their faithful who are temporarily staying abroad and asked to convey gratitude to representatives of the Croatian government and Church who support Ukrainians during this difficult time.
They also discussed in detail issues of restitution of sacred buildings and other church property in both countries, experience in forming military chaplaincy services, as well as practices in supporting the culture and education of national minorities.