Croatian bishops urge peace and reflection in Easter messages

Catholics and many other Christians in Croatia and around the world are celebrating Easter, the most important day in the Christian calendar. 

At services across the country, bishops called for peace and urged believers to live out their faith.

Easter Mass was held at Zagreb Cathedral for the first time since the building was severely damaged in the 2020 earthquake. Zagreb Archbishop Dražen Kutleša said Easter represents God’s answer to those seeking truth.

“The modern world has an ambiguous relationship with truth. We often hear phrases like ‘Everyone has their own truth’ or ‘Truth is relative.’ Such statements suggest we have lost faith in reality. If all truths are equally valid, then none are binding, and the world falls into chaos,” he said.

Closing his homily, Archbishop Kutleša urged the faithful to reflect on whether they had faced the truth and chosen what is right over what is easy.

For many, the return of Easter services to the cathedral was a joyful moment. Several attendees told HRT that family and peace were foremost in their thoughts.

“Given what is happening, we should gather with our families on this greatest of Christian holidays and spend it in peace,” one worshipper said.

In Rijeka, Archbishop Mate Uzinić encouraged believers to look beyond tradition and reflect more deeply on the meaning of the resurrection.

“We often focus on the superficial — the traditions and acts that are signs of our faith. But faith requires effort and contemplation,” he said.

In times of war, he added, people are called to be “peacebuilders” and “people of dialogue.”

Across Croatia, Easter messages from the pulpit centered on peace and hope.