Today, Monday, June 7, 2021, the Slovenian bishops attended a gala lunch with President Pahor, which he hosted in honour of the thirtieth anniversary of Slovenia's independence. President of the Slovenian Bishops' Conference, Metropolitan Archbishop of Ljubljana Msgr Stanislav Zore and the President of the Republic of Slovenia Mr Borut Pahor made a joint statement in the end.

JOINT STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA BORUT PAHOR AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE SLOVENIAN BISHOP'S CONFERENCE AND THE ARCHBISHOP OF LJUBLJANA STANISLAV ZORE

The interlocutors assessed that after thirty years it is right and possible to assess the path that Slovenia has travelled during this time and to reflect together on our successes, achievements and further aspirations. Especially in difficult times of crisis, as today’s health, social, economic and purely human, we also think about the very fundamental issues of life and living and realize how important the basic values of humanity, solidarity and coexistence are.

We must work together as we did at the beginning of our state, thirty years ago, when the Commission for Justice and Peace played an important role in democratization and advocacy for human rights. Archbishop Šuštar will always be remembered as a man of dialogue and on merit in the international recognition of our state.

At the same time, the President of the Republic and the Archbishop recalled the support of Pope John Paul II and the important role of the Holy See, which was among the first countries to recognize Slovenia. They thought it would be great if the current Pope Francis could visit Slovenia soon and estimate that there will be some suitable opportunities for this - one is this year's 40th anniversary of the Stična mladih Youth Meeting, whose honorary patrons are President Pahor and Archbishop Zore.

The interlocutors assessed that the state has done much for reconciliation and overcoming the national division, especially in the last decade. President Pahor thanked Archbishop Zore and the Catholic Church for their cooperation and support in carrying out the pious transfer of the remains of the victims from Huda jama and their burial in the Dobrava Memorial Park, and in opening the Monument to the Victims of All Wars and War-Related Victims in Ljubljana. Today, it is the central national memorial to the victims of wars and post-war events that affected the Slovenian nation.

The interlocutors agreed that in the time of Slovenia’s independence, cooperation has formed between the two institutions, which we wish to continue and upgrade, especially in the cultural, educational, charitable and humanitarian fields, as well as in the care of sacred cultural heritage of our nation.

Source: Office of the President of the Republic of Slovenia