Katolička crkva kao nositelj očuvanja hrvatskog identiteta u državi New South Wales u Australiji
The role of the Catholic Church in preservation of Croatian identity in New South Wales, Australia

Summary/Abstract: At the beginning of the 21st century Australian Croats are one of the largest ethnic communities in Australia. During different historical periods of the Catholic Church through the many forms of social and cultural activities, and managed to still manages to nurture and preserve Croatian ethnic identity, culture and the Croatian language in the older and younger generations of Australian Croatians. Particular merit in the preservation of Croatian identity belongs to the priests and nuns who are the vast majority of their time available for displaced Croats living in all times and situations. Interesting and analyzed the results of research conducted 2003 in New South Wales on a sample of 75 persons younger age. Of the total of 100% respondents, 82% of people under the age goes up to the Croatian church once a week, which is indeed commendable and proves that the younger generations of Australian Croatians interested in the activities offered by Croatian Catholic Center. Also, survey results showed that the younger generation of Croatian immigrants in various sectors including Croatian organizations in New South Wales, 97% of respondents from a total of 100% included in the work of a Croatian association, club or church. This fact encourages the older members of the Croatian community and Croats in the homeland, because although most of the younger Australian Croats assimilated in the Australian multicultural society and a small chance that the younger generations of Australian Croatians in multiple permanent return to Croatia, an indication of interest and the preservation of Croatian identity, culture, and language in young Australian Croats.

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