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PERMANENT SIGNIFICANCE AND VALUE OF THE RECOGNITION
THE RECEPTION CELEBRATING THE ANNIVERSARY OF RECOGNITION OF THE INDEPENDENCE OF THE SLOVENE BISHOPS' CONFERENCE - (video in slovenian language)
Address by the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Milan Kucan
Ljubljana, 25 February 1999
The relation between the state and the Roman Catholic Church "was created in the Slovene state on the basis of its democratic constitutional order. The settling of these relations in the new Slovene state is a dynamic process, requiring time, a great deal of patience, tolerance and mutual trust, as well as respect. I am confirmed in this belief by the latest written accord in the Church and State Commission on the basic arrangement of the situation of the Catholic Church in Slovenia and the possibilities for its free operation in compliance with constitutional principles and legislation in force." stressed the president at the reception.
Madam, Gentlemen, Excellencies,
On 19 February 1993 the Holy See recognised the independence of the Slovene Bishops' Conference. From then on the Roman Catholic Church in Slovenia was granted the status of a local Catholic Church, which is now in this respect too on an equal footing with other churches in modern countries in which Catholics live. Through this decision from the Holy See the church institutions in Slovenia have made complete their own organisation in accordance with their internal self-governing and statutory order.
The recognition of the independence of the Slovene Bishops' Conference by the Holy See was an expression of the favourable inclination towards the will of the Slovenes to have their own state; for the Holy See was among the first to recognise the independent Slovene state, the Republic of Slovenia. One cannot overlook the fact that, as a rule, Vatican foreign policy makers in recent history have adopted decisions of this kind in favour of new state formation only after most other states, particularly those that are big and influental, have done so before them. Today, this may all seem a matter of course, customary and expected. It is my conviction and belief, however, distinguished guests, that you share my opinion that these acts by the Holy See were exceptional and should, in the light of the history of the Slovene state, be recognised, considered and respected as such. I have therefore addressed to His Holiness Pope John Paul II this year, too, a letter recalling these events.
The recognition of the independence of the Slovene Bishops' Conference in the time and circumstances in which it occurred - and to which all of us present here bear witness - doubtless belongs to those events in the life of the Slovene state and its citizens that are of permanent significance and value. These are independent of ever-changing figures who manage and administer the state or the Catholic Church in Slovenia. The value of these events can neither be enhanced nor impaired by incidental interpretations which are subject to the test of human memory and are sometimes contradictory. Neither can their value be determined by the incidental situation in the country or the incidental relations existing between the Government and the Bishops' Conference. Through the establishment of the Slovene Bishops' Conference the possibility of a dialogue towards resolving all issues, even those that are most sensitive in the relations between the state and the Roman Catholic Church, was created in the Slovene state on the basis of its democratic constitutional order. The settling of these relations in the new Slovene state is a dynamic process, requiring time, a great deal of patience, tolerance and mutual trust, as well as respect. I am confirmed in this belief by the latest written accord in the Church and State Commission on the basic arrangement of the situation of the Catholic Church in Slovenia and the possibilities for its free operation in compliance with constitutional principles and legislation in force. I wish to believe that further accords are possible on these bases and by taking into consideration our own experiences and those of Europe, as well as through consensus on those issues that are not yet settled or are regarded as unresolved by either side.
The late eighties and the early nineties have been marked by key national and international decisions regarding the beginning and a new historic chapter in the fate of the Slovene nation, a chapter so earnestly anticipated and desired. We achieved political independence and a nation state. We acquired all the central national and social institutions which should henceforth serve the security, prosperity, protection of dignity, rights and free life of the Slovenes, both as people and citizens. We have acquired a state which, in the changed circumstances in Europe and the world, will be able to protect and assert the national identity of the Slovene nation, its values and historical as well as spiritual tradition, and also bear responsibility for those sections of the Slovene nation that were fated by the inclement past to be within the borders of neighbouring countries or to emigrate throughout the world. This is a task in which we firmly believe that consensus can be found, for it is a joint and common task, and because we are all part of the Slovene community and responsible for its future.
Distinguished guests, these are all justified reasons for our meeting today. In this way we wish to pay due respect to the significance and substance of the event that took place six years ago and, I firmly believe, show our responsibility, each within one's own powers and duty, for the future image of the Slovene state as a modern, open and tolerant society which will strengthen respect for diversity - political, cultural and religious - social equity, dialogue and cooperation. I believe that we are called upon, and capable of, achieving this.
I hope that these meetings become a tradition and that this event, so important for the Slovene state, is kept safe from the fallibility of human memory.
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