Interreligious Dialogue in Croatia

Abstract

The aim of this article is to present the situation and various factors related to interreligious dialogue in Croatia. The article is divided into four parts. Firstly, the author briefly elaborates on the historical and geopolitical context of Croatia. That is followed by a presentation of data on national minorities and religious communities in Croatia and a reflection on their legal and social status. The third part outlines various bodies involved in interreligious dialogue at the state, religious and academic levels, as well as at the level of independent associations and organizations. The final part delivers a brief overview of significant initiatives in the field of ecumenical and interreligious dialogue, which are often linked in Croatia. The author concludes that interreligious dialogue in Croatia has great potential and that further efforts are still needed in the development of ecumenical and interreligious awareness and cooperation, due to the theological and moral imperatives of religion itself and the goal of building peaceful and harmonious coexistence in a post-conflict context that characterizes Croatia and this part of Europe.