The Eastern Schism is penetrating the Catholic ranks and threatens to accomplish its dark goals. The victory of the Great Serbian idea would mean the destruction of Catholicism in the Northwestern Balkans, in the state of Croatia. The mentioned documents do not leave us in any doubt. Moreover, there is no question that such a fatal event would have significant consequences far beyond the borders of Croatia. The waves of Orthodoxy and offensive Byzantinism would strike at the borders of Italy, while until now they had been breaking against the Croatian Front Wall [Antemurale Christiantitis].

Moreover, because of the work of Croatian clerics, especially Franciscans, the foundations were lain for the renewal of Catholicism in Bulgaria by converting many Paulicians, and the remnants of believers in Skanderbeg's Albania have been saved, and in the event of the destruction of the sole Catholic nation in the eternally restless, Orthodox and Islamic Balkans, many other scattered groups would be affected.

Holy Father, today the eyes of the whole of humanity, bleeding from thousand wounds, are directed toward you as the one who by the elevated meaning of your name brought miserable humankind what they require - heavenly peace. By bringing peace to the world, Holy Father, think of the Croatian people who were always faithful to Christ and to you. The young Croatian state was created in more horrible and difficult circumstances than any other state in the last several centuries. By desperately fighting for its existence, Croatia is showing at every turn that it wishes to remain faithful to its Catholic traditions and to ensure a better and more clear perspective for the Catholic Church in this part of the world. On the other hand, with the loss or ominous curtailments - thousands of the best Croatian believers and priests would gladly and voluntarily sacrifice their lives to prevent this horrible possibility - not only about 240,000 converts from the Serbian Orthodox faith would be destroyed here, but also the entire Catholic population of these areas together with their churches and convents. In the natural order of things, unless God performs a great miracle, the progress of Catholicism is closely tied with the progress of the Croatian state. The survival of Catholicism depends upon the survival of this state. The salvation of Catholicism is at the same time the salvation of Croatia. Holy Father, we deeply believe in God's mercy and in God's righteousness, and you are their chosen instrument. I recommend to your paternal care and to our prayers our Independent State of Croatia, believing that this is also the best means to recommend the holy faith in my homeland and in the Balkans.

In the Holy Heart of Jesus always your most loyal archbishop and metropolitan of Zagreb.