Pope commends Croatian fidelity to Catholic tradition

Vatican City, Sep 30, 2004 / 22:00 pm

In an audience this morning with 2000 Croatian pilgrims from the archdiocese of Split-Makarska, Pope John Paul II highlighted their “adherence to the faith” confessed by Sts. Peter and Paul and the martyrs of that region throughout the centuries, and exhorted them to “promote a Christian humanism” in their lives.

The pilgrims met with the Holy Father on the occasion of the 17th centenary of the martyrdom of St. Domnius, patron of the archdiocese and city of Split-Makarska.

"You come from the place where St. Domnius and other martyrs in the region gave witness to Christ, from the very first centuries to this day, and you have come to the tombs of Peter and Paul and other Roman martyrs. In this way, you wanted to express your adherence to the faith which they confessed," said the Pope.

"This adherence," he continued, "requires a commitment of constant fidelity to Christ and His Church in order to bear brave and coherent witness in family life, in places of study and work and in other environments in society.”

“Make an effort,” exhorted the Pope in conclusion, “to promote a concrete Christian humanism in your life in both the private and public spheres.  May the heroic example of St. Domnius, and the other martyrs who, inspired by solid faith in Christ, sacrificed themselves for the good of their brothers and sisters,  guide and sustain you."