Because we serve as the location for the Croatian Parish community in the metropolitan Washington area, the following article might be of interest to the Croatian community as well as others. The struggle mentioned in Sunday's gospel about the acceptance of others, called "neighbors" in the Lucan gospel, comes to mind after reading the story of the violence that is reported.Our Salesian Father Damir who has served the Croatian community for several years will be departing at the end of the month to take up duties as the Catholic Chaplain at the University of Zagreb.
16th July 2007 12:01
Tony Grew
One man has been charged with a hate crime after the attacks on a Pride march in Zagreb earlier this month. The 25-year-old, identified only as Josip S, is the first person accused of a hate crime in Croatia since they became an offence under the country's Penal Code in 2006. Police spotted him at the Pride event on 7th July with petrol bombs but he fled the scene. He was later arrested and is charged with attempting to endanger life. Prosecutors says he prepared his petrol bombs at home and intended to throw them at gay marchers. He has been remanded in custody. Ten people were injured when violence broke out at the gay Pride march in Zagreb. A gang of around 20 young men taunted and abused the Pride participants. Police arrested eight people. Despite the Croatian government granting limited partnership rights for gay and lesbian couples, homophobia remains rife in the country, which is overwhelmingly Roman Catholic. Homosexuality was legalised in Croatia in 1977, and the age of consent was equalised in 1998. 300 people took to the streets of the capital to protest against discrimination and the physical and verbal abuse Croatian LGBT people suffer. 500 police where deployed to protect them. Croatia is not a member of the EU, but has applied to join and is regarded as likely to be admitted in 2009 or 2010. However, the homophobic attitude that pervades Croatian society is an issue for some EU officials.
