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Juraj Kolarić
Episode · #470

ETIKA U POSLOVANJU Juraj Kolarić

Guest Juraj KolarićHosted by Augustin BašićMay 3, 2026
About this episode
What you'll hear in this conversation

The conversation opens not with business strategy, but with the very foundations of social cohesion: the role of interfaith dialogue in post-communist societies. Monsignor Professor Juraj Kolarić, a prominent ecumenist and historian, traces the arc of the ecumenical movement from its mid-20th century promise to its current challenges. He unpacks how a single word change in Vatican II theology opened doors for greater Christian unity, and how geopolitical shifts can abruptly halt decades of dialogue. This isn't just a historical account; it's a look at how large-scale, long-term initiatives—even those with institutional backing—rely on sustained, often fragile, human connection. You'll finish this episode thinking about the interplay between theology, politics, and human relationships in any complex endeavor.

Insights from the conversation
What to take from this episode
01
The Second Vatican Council's *Lumen Gentium* document redefined the Catholic Church's relationship to the "Church of Christ" with a single word change, from "est" (is) to "subsistit" (subsists in). A subtle theological redefinition can radically alter an institution's stance on inclusion, opening doors for broader dialogue and shared identity where none existed before.
02
Following Vatican II, the Catholic Church's liturgical reforms allowed local languages into the liturgy and turned the altar towards the people. Accommodating local cultures and empowering direct participation, even through seemingly minor structural changes, can reignite engagement and foster a deeper sense of belonging.
03
Professor Kolarić's own academic path was shaped by his mentor's advice to study religious communities in the South Slavic region, not just as a location, but as a "bridge between East and West." Some geographic regions are not merely passive settings but active geopolitical and "georeligious" forces, where the interplay of cultures and faiths shapes global trends.
04
The ecumenical movement, which experienced an "explosion" of activity after Vatican II, saw Catholic theologians teaching at Evangelical universities and engaging with various denominations. Even movements with official institutional endorsement require active, personal engagement across organizational lines to truly flourish, moving beyond declarations to shared work.
05
Dialogue with the Serbian Orthodox Church, a significant part of the ecumenical effort in the region, "unfortunately ended in 1991 with the great aggression," as Kolarić states. Geopolitical conflicts can abruptly sever decades of painstaking intergroup dialogue, leaving deep wounds that are difficult for institutions to heal, even long after the direct conflict subsides.
06
Professor Kolarić introduces the concept of "georeligion" to describe how religious dynamics interact with geopolitical realities in newly formed states after conflict. In societies shaped by past conflict, understanding the religious dimension alongside political structures is essential; new frameworks are needed to address the complex role of faith communities in national identity.
07
The challenge of organizing Orthodox communities in new states like Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Montenegro leads to questions about forming local or national Orthodox churches. The fragmentation of political entities often creates a parallel demand for distinct religious organizational structures, presenting both opportunities for localized dialogue and potential sources of new tensions.
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