http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/wor...-Croatia-dispute-over-Adriatic-monastery.html Vatican and Croatia dispute over Adriatic monastery A dispute over the ownership of a historic monastery on the Adriatic coast is causing bad blood between Croatia and the Vatican. Pope Benedict XVI has ruled that the monastery should be returned to the Benedictines Photo: EPABy Nick Squires, Rome 11:16PM BST 04 Aug 2011 The monastery, in the town of Dajla on the coast of Croatia, was once owned by Italy's Benedictine order of monks. It lies in the region of Istria, which was once part of Italy but was ceded to the then Yugoslavia after the Second World War. The monastery was built by the Benedictines in the 18th century and now belongs to the Croatian diocese of Porec and Pula. After setting up a special commission to resolve the dispute in December, Pope Benedict XVI has ruled that the monastery should be returned to the Benedictines, together with £5.2 million (six million euros) in compensation. But Croatia argues that the issue was resolved by a 1975 treaty signed between Italy and Yugoslavia to provide restitution for properties lost by Italians when Istria was annexed. Related Articles Vatican calls on priests to limit sermons to eight minutes 12 Mar 2010 A party for the patron saint of sore throats 27 Jan 2007 The issue has been complicated by the fact that part of the land attached to the monastery has been sold off and developed as a hotel and a golf course. Ivan Milovan, the local bishop, has refused to agree to the property being handed over and has appealed to Croatian politicians to intervene in the matter. After meeting with the bishop, Croatia's prime minister, Jadranka Kosor, said that because of the 1975 treaty, "for us this chapter is absolutely and definitively closed." Croatia is staunchly Catholic but the issue has stirred up nationalistic feeling at a time when the country is heading towards general elections in December. The Vatican issued a statement this week condemning the politicisation of the dispute and calling for the Pope's decree to be respected. The Holy See regards the issue as "a strictly ecclesiastical question" that was being wrongly "manipulated ... to make it look like a threat to Croatia," the Vatican said.
I find it very appalling for the pope to offer compensation for a piece of real estate in Croatia. Apparently he has more worries for the Benedictine Organization than Jesus Christ. He worries for earthly matters. I mean he has the Sistene Chapel and Davinci-Michaelangelos art pieces along with Roman temples and etc. Why would he be so picky getting more real estate? Does this show any Christian devotion to Jesus Christ?
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/stories/cns/1103055.htm And here is another article ... I find this article depressing...Why dont the Vatican leave the property alone ?
http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=11357 I love this story- Croatia blocks Vatican Authority from taking the property. YEAH !!!!
