Mato Mijić
Episode · #711
EKUMENA I ETIKA U POSLOVANJU Mate Mijić
Guest Mato MijićHosted by Augustin BašićMay 3, 2026
Mato Mijić
About this episode
What you'll hear in this conversation
The conversation with Mato Mijić, a political and communication consultant, explores the often-polarized relationship between faith and science, and the deeper societal shifts shaping spiritual life in Croatia. Mijić challenges the notion that inter-religious tolerance is the primary concern, instead pointing to a broader struggle against an increasingly aggressive materialism that seeks to push all spirituality from public discourse. He offers a nuanced view on the role of ethno-religious identity and the healthy separation of Christian conservatism from nationalism. By the end, you'll reconsider what truly constitutes "dialogue" in modern society and the subtle ways our culture discourages belief in anything beyond the tangible.
Insights from the conversation
What to take from this episode
01
Mato Mijić describes science and religion as "absolutely complementary," viewing scientific understanding as essential for believers to comprehend "God's creation." For Mijić, the Catholic principle of `fides et ratio`—faith and reason—means that wisdom and knowledge are themselves gifts of the Holy Spirit, making scientific inquiry an integral part of understanding the divine.
02
Despite frequent calls for societal engagement, Mijić contends that "freedom as such has not fully taken root in Croatia," particularly in the realm of open discussion. What often passes for "social dialogue" in the country is, in his assessment, merely "a cacophony of monologues," where groups talk past each other without genuine exchange or a willingness to find common ground.
03
Mijić argues that the most pressing issue for tolerance today is not between different religious groups, but between a materialist worldview and any spiritual dimension. He sees a societal effort to "expel not just faith, institutional religion, but spirituality entirely from the public sphere," reducing human experience to that of a consumer and denying the need for anything beyond earthly comforts.
04
When Pope Francis suggested that "any belief in God is a path to Christ and salvation," he faced criticism from those who, in Mijić's words, "want to be the measure of all things." This reaction highlights a deeper societal narcissism where the challenge isn't just about specific religious doctrines, but the decline of belief in the supernatural itself, as few are willing to entrust their lives to something greater than the material.
05
While ethno-religious identity historically shaped nations in Southeast Europe, Mijić warns of a period where the religious was dangerously "subordinat[ed] to the national," risking a "Catholic Svetosavlje." This attempt to mimic a state-church model, where the universalism of Catholicism is set aside for nationalistic interests, often directly contradicts the Church's own teachings.
06
Mijić, identifying as a conservative, expresses encouragement at seeing "Christian conservatives and nationalists... no longer all under the same umbrella." This divergence is a healthy development for the public presence of Christianity, as nationalism's prioritization of national interest often clashes with the Church's focus on God's kingdom.
07
In post-communist Croatia, the Catholic Church became the primary opposition, attracting many anti-communist elements, which Mijić suggests sometimes led to "false evangelization." A clearer distinction between religious and political identities allows the Church to evangelize authentically, rather than having individuals feign belief for "social status or approval."