Croatia--Christian Persecution in Croatia

persecution, Christian persecution, persecution in china, persecution in Vietnam, persecution,	persecution.org
	Serving the Persecuted Church: Support & Training of Underground Pastors § Humanitarian Aid § Advocacy for the Persecuted on Capitol Hill

News

Volunteer

Country Profiles

What Can I Do?

Prayer Requests

Europe: Croatia

Country Report Last Updated: May 2002

Code: A-3; B-2

(Click here for a code description.)

(Click here for a list of ICC articles on Croatia.)
List of Articles Last Updated: October 25, 1999

COUNTRY STATISTICS

Area: 56,538 sq km
Capital: Zagreb
Main Cities: Split, Rijeka, Osijek
Population: 4,334,142
Population Growth: 1.48%
Birth Rate: 12.82 births/ 1000 people
Death Rate: 11.41 deaths/ 1000 people
Infant Mortality: 7.21 deaths/ 1000 live births
Life Expectancy: 73.9 years
Languages: Croatian

Religions: Roman Catholic, Orthodox, Muslim
Ethnic Groups: Croat, Serb, Bosniak, Hungarian
Currency: Croatian kuna (HRK)
Exchange Rate: 8.089 HRK = 1 USD
Total GDP: $24.9 billion
Per Capita PPP: $5,800
Imports: $7.8 billion
Exports: $4.3 billion

(Source: CIA World Fact Book 2001)

Religious Atmosphere: Croatia is traditionally Catholic, with Roman Catholics making up about 85% of the country's people. 6% of the population is Serbian Orthodox with another 1% Muslim and smaller numbers of Jews and Protestants. In this country, religion is often tied to ethnicity. Most Serbs are Serbian Orthodox and most Croats are Catholic.

Extremist Groups:

ICC is not aware of any extremist groups operating in the country.

Government:

The constitution provides for the freedom of religion and does not establish a state religion. However, the Catholic Church receives some special financial assistance from the state, which is not currently available to other faiths.
A number of denominations practice and proselytize freely.
At this point only Catholic clergy have been allowed to serve as chaplains to the armed forces.

As stated above, a non-Catholic is assumed to be a non-Croat. Non-Croats are commonly discriminated against in citizenship, employment, administration of justice, and housing.

Recent Actions:

Ongoing - Vandalism of Serbian Orthodox buildings and cemeteries is frequent in the Danubian region (Eastern Slavonia). (DOS)
February 2001 - The Orthodox Church in Darda, Eastern Slavonia, was vandalized for the 5th time in a year and a half. Windows and a door were damaged. (DOS)
August 2000 - Anti-Serb graffiti was written on the Orthodox Church in Branjina in the Danubian region. Unknown assailants also broke into the church. (DOS)
June 2000 - A car swerved in an attempt to hit an Orthodox priest in Eastern Slavonia. (DOS)
January 2000 – Unknown perpetrators damaged two crucifixes at an Orthodox church in Tenja and broke windows in an Orthodox church in Borovo.
December 1999 – An Orthodox cemetery in Vukovar was desecrated.
October 1999 – A 69-year-old Orthodox priest was beaten by a Croat youth while waiting at a bus stop in Vukovar. The youth was convicted and fined.
December 1996 - A Catholic Church was attacked by a Serbian mob during its Christmas service.
1996- Two Orthodox churches were bombed.

Prisoners: There is no evidence that prisoners are being held for their Christian beliefs at this time.

Suggested Actions You Might Take:

Pray for all Christians of Croatia that they may continue to be protected from harm and that the Christian message may be heard and received by all.
Please keep us informed of any replies or results you may receive! Contact ICC by email at icc@persecution.org.

Official Contacts:

Embassy of the Republic of Croatia
2343 Massachusetts Ave. NW
Washington, D.C. 20008
Tel: (202) 588-5899
Fax: (202) 588-8936

Stjepan Mesic, President
Predsjednicki dvori
Pantovcak 241
10000 Zagreb, Zagrebacka Zupanija Croatia
Tel: 385-1-456-5210
Fax: 385-1-456-5240
e-mail: www-admin@president.hr
WebPage: http://www.predsjednik.hr/

Minister of Foreign Affairs
Trg Nikole Subica Zrinskog #7-8
10000 Zagreb, Republika Hravatska
Tel: 011 385 1 456 9964
Fax: 011 385 1 427-594

Ivica Racan, Premier
Trg Sv. Marka 2
10000 Zagreb, Zagrebacka Zupanija Croatia
Tel: 385-1-456-9222
Fax: 385-1-227-082
WebPage http://www.vlada.hr

*We make every attempt to keep up with and reflect changes in the national government of Croatia and the current human rights situation. We appreciate your feedback if you find any discrepancies in this information. You can contact us by e-mail at ICC@PERSECUTION.ORG. Thanks.

POSTED: May 8, 2002

ICC Articles on Croatia:


*"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves."*
International Christian Concern (ICC) 2020 Pennsylvania Avenue NW #941 Washington, D.C. 20006 1846	Tel: 1-301-989-1708 Toll Free in USA: 1-800-ICC-5441 Fax: 1-301-989-1709 E-Mail: icc@persecution.org Web: www.persecution.org
IMPORTANT NOTE: ICC is a registered IRS 501(c)(3) non-profit charity in the United States of America. Gifts are tax deductible for U. S. tax purposes.
*Copyright © 2006 International Christian Concern, Washington, D.C., USA. All rights reserved.*

Croatia--Christian Persecution in Croatia

Serving the Persecuted Church: Support & Training of Underground Pastors § Humanitarian Aid § Advocacy for the Persecuted on Capitol Hill

Europe: Croatia

POSTED: May 8, 2002

ICC Articles on Croatia:

Serving the Persecuted Church:
Support & Training of Underground Pastors §
Humanitarian Aid § Advocacy for the Persecuted on Capitol Hill