EKUMENA I ETIKA U POSLOVANJU Branko Berić

Guest Branko PerićHosted by Augustin BašićMay 3, 2026

Branko Perić

About this episode

What you'll hear in this conversation

It is often said that Protestant thought significantly shaped European society, particularly in forging its business and work ethics, and in promoting literacy through vernacular languages. But how does this centuries-old legacy resonate today, especially for a minority church navigating a complex history? Branko Perić, bishop of the Evangelical-Lutheran Church in Croatia, leads a community deeply rooted in these traditions while actively fostering dialogue across historical divides. He shares the core tenets that define his church, the painful experience of persecution, and the surprising steps towards reconciliation with the Catholic Church — including a landmark agreement on justification by faith. You will walk away with a clearer understanding of how theological principles can influence everything from national identity to organizational resilience, and how historical divisions can, over time, give way to unexpected common ground.

Insights from the conversation

What to take from this episode

The core tenet of the Evangelical-Lutheran Church — 'man is justified before God not by his own works or merits, but solely through faith' — isn't just a theological statement. It is a principle that shifted the focus from ritual obligation to individual conscience, a move that subtly reshaped the very idea of personal responsibility in European society.

At the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, Archbishop Đuro Hranić expressed regret that the Roman leadership 'did not have more understanding for Luther' at the time. This public acknowledgment of historical missteps demonstrates that even centuries-old institutional divisions can begin to heal when leaders are willing to confront the past directly.

After decades of theological dialogue, the 1999 Joint Declaration on the Doctrine of Justification formally acknowledged a shared understanding between Lutherans and Catholics. This specific agreement proves that deeply entrenched doctrinal disagreements can be overcome not by compromise, but by persistent intellectual effort to find common ground.

Even after the Joint Declaration, 'communion at the table,' or Eucharistic sharing, remains a point of separation between the two churches. It suggests that while doctrinal consensus can be reached, the deeply embedded practices and symbols of a community require an even longer process of integration.

After World War II, the Evangelical-Lutheran Church in Croatia was declared 'fascist,' its bishop was executed, and its property confiscated, leading to the expulsion of most of its members. The experience shows how quickly an established institution can be dismantled by political forces, forcing a complete rebuilding from a fraction of its former strength.

The Evangelical-Lutheran Church in Croatia today numbers only 3,500 members across ten parishes, with the largest congregation in Ilok making up a quarter of the total. This dispersed structure highlights the challenge of maintaining community and operational viability for a small religious minority in a predominantly different cultural landscape.

Bishop Deutsch personally encouraged Perić and his late wife to pursue theology, a suggestion they embraced partly because they had no children and saw an opportunity to dedicate themselves to the church. Sometimes a clear path emerges not from a grand personal ambition, but from a mentor's observation and a specific personal circumstance.

The shift of Protestant theological studies from independent faculties to being integrated within the University of Zagreb's Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences marks a significant step. This institutional recognition means that theological education can gain broader academic legitimacy and reach a wider audience beyond denominational boundaries.

The Evangelical-Lutheran church in Zagreb, built in a neo-Gothic style by Herman Bolle in 1882-1884, and later expanded by Rudolf Lubinski, serves as a tangible link to the community's history. Such architectural details are more than just historical facts; they are physical markers of an institution's enduring presence and cultural contribution.

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