During the festive mass celebrating Blessed Alojzije Stepinac at the Zagreb Cathedral, Archbishop Dražen Kutleša delivered a compelling homily that echoed the moral dilemmas faced by contemporary Croatian society. He invoked the image of the biblical figure of Pilate to pose profound questions about individual and national conscience. By contrasting the choice between Jesus and Barabbas, Kutleša highlighted the critical nature of decision-making in the pursuit of freedom, challenging his audience to reflect on the true meaning of liberty in a nation grappling with its identity.

Archbishop Kutleša elaborated that the essence of a nation’s history is not shaped merely in political arenas but deeply rooted in the inner sanctum of personal conscience. He suggested that the place where truth is birthed or betrayed is not accessible to outsiders, only to God and the individual. This introspection is vital as it forms the basis for whether one chooses to embrace freedom or to conform to the noise of the crowd, enriching the dialogue on moral responsibility within Croatian society.

Furthermore, the Archbishop's reflections serve as a reminder of the dual paths a society can take when confronted with ethical challenges. He urged listeners to advocate for a version of Croatia that is guided by truth rather than one that seeks an easier, but ethically questionable, route. It is clear that these themes resonate deeply with the spiritual and civic dimensions of Croatian identity, making the message of Blessed Stepinac relevant to contemporary societal struggles.