The book delves into issues of church history and pastoral theology and is the first work of its kind to condense all of the critical aspects of the pastoral care of Croatian Catholics in Germany. It offers a chiefly historical context to the emergence and current activity of Croatian Catholic missions, communities and parishes in Germany.
Dr Adolf Polegubić’s sixteenth book, Dušobrižništvo za Hrvate u Njemačkoj (The Pastoral Care of Croatians in Germany), was recently published. Polegubić is a pastoral theologian, journalist, poet and the chief editor of Živa Zajednica (The Living Community). The book delves into issues of church history and pastoral theology and is the first work of its kind to condense all of the critical aspects of the pastoral care of Croatian Catholics in Germany. It offers a chiefly historical context to the emergence and current activity of Croatian Catholic missions, communities and parishes in Germany. The 254-page tome is published by the Croatian Pastoral Office of Frankfurt am Main as the twenty-fourth book of its Diaspora Croatica series. Professor Danijel Labaš PhD served as an expert advisor to the author.
Introductory texts were penned by assistant bishop of Sarajevo and president of the council of the Conference of Croatian Bishops and of the Conference of Bishops of Bosnia-Herzegovina for the Croatian faithful abroad Monsignor Dr Pero Sudar, by the director of the Pastoral Office for Croatians Abroad the Reverend Dr Tomislav Markić, the national director of the German Bishops’ Conference for Catholics of other mother tongues Stefan Schohe, the delegate for the Croatian faithful in Germany the Reverend Ivica Komadina and by Dr Adolf Polegubić. The book discusses the pastoral care provided by the Catholic church for migrants in recent times, the pastoral care of Croatians living abroad, the Catholic church in Germany, the Catholic church and Croatians in Germany, the Croatian Catholic missions, communities and parishes in Germany (this section of the book discusses all current and former missions, communities and parishes in Germany, divided into six pastoral regions), Croatian Catholic missions, communities and parishes in Germany in the eyes of the faithful and the German caritas federation (Deutscher Caritasverband e.V.). Also included is a German language summary and a comprehensive bibliography with a separate section dedicated to memorial books issued by Croatian Catholic missions, communities and parishes in Germany and their Internet sites and Facebook pages. The book closes with a table of personal names, toponyms and notes about the author.
In his review of the book historian and professor Marko Trogrlić PhD of the University of Split’s Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities notes that, “Dr Adolf Polegubić’s The Pastoral Care of Croatians in Germany certainly has a place in the history of the Croatian emigrant communities, especially with regard to an aspect without which it is simply unthinkable, and that is pastoral care. It offers a look at the German reality, with all its specificities in relation to other places in which Croatians live around the world. As such it is quite certain that this work will, in Croatian church circles and among a broader readership, be recognised and well received. This, of course, includes our academic community, in various ways involved in these or other similar issues. The work offers an attractive and authentic overview of the pastoral care of Croatians in Germany, one that is grounded in the research.”
In his review theologian and senior lecturer Boris Vulić PhD of the Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek’s Faculty of Catholic Theology in Đakovo notes that, “Faced with a new wave of emigrating Croatians in which Germany remains a desirable destination for those looking to take a new step – young people and entire families alike – Dr Adolf Polegubić’s study of the pastoral care of Croatians in Germany constitutes his contribution to the preservation of the Catholic and Croatian identity of old and new emigrants. Penning in a polished and suitable style, with an exceptional feeling for details and an equally refined sense of their synthesis and objective depiction, this work bears witness to the strength of unity among emigrant Croatians in Germany and the excellent organisation of pastoral care among all the responsible parties. This study proves the author as thoroughly versed in the past and present of Croatian Catholic missions and communities in Germany, and opens a window to readers looking to better acquaint themselves with the wealth of individuals and activities that guarantee a future for these communities.”
(A.P.)