Zagreb, (IKA) – On October 1, a Mass of Thanksgiving in commemoration of the fiftieth anniversary of the only Croatian Catholic weekly newspaper, Glas Koncila [The Voice of the Council], published by the Archdiocese of Zagreb, was celebrated in the Zagreb cathedral by the Archbishop of Zagreb, Cardinal Josip Bozanić, in concelebration with twelve archbishops and bishops and approximately sixty priests. Recalling the beginning of Glas Koncila, the cardinal said in his homily that the newspaper was created as a response to the historical moment at the beginning of the Second Vatican Council. Glas Koncila first appeared as a response to the need for priests and the faithful to be informed about the Second Vatican Council, and during the ensuing decades it developed from a Church reporter into a forum, a medium through which the Church presents its positions and influences the development of Croatia. Glas Koncila has participated in all the major events of the Church and the Croatian nation, noted the Cardinal.
Glas Koncila emerged as the voice of the Church, which had been excluded from public life. During the era of communist totalitarianism, it managed to remain the only free newspaper that was not under the direct influence of the government authorities, at the cost of confiscations, summons for interrogations, lawsuits and other provocations to which the editors and staff of Glas Koncila were systematically subjected. It is a fact that during the 21st century, Glas Koncila is challenged by some representatives of the ruling political structures and ideologies, which demonstrates that the newspaper has maintained its independence from prevailing and varied ideological pressures, especially with regard to the defense of life and the dignity of the human being, the Croatian nation and the Church, said Cardinal Bozanić.
In the Vijenac auditorium of the Archdiocesan Pastoral Institute, a formal commemoration was held. During the introductory section, there were recorded recollections by the current staff of Glas Koncila about their experiences. The Provincial Minister of the Croatian Franciscan Province of SS. Cyril and Methodius, Fr. Željko Železnjak, spoke about the beginning of Glas Koncila, which as the bulletin Glas s koncila [Voice from the Council] was created under the auspices of the monastery in the Kaptol section of Zagreb. The first issue was published on October 4, 1962. The names of Fr. Zorislav Lajoš, Fr. Bonaventura Duda and Fr. Gabrijel Đurak from the Province, together with the Capuchin Fr. Tomislav Šagi Bunić, are associated with the early days of Glas Koncila. Cardinal Bozanić especially congratulated and greeted Fr. Živko Kustić and Fr. Bonaventura Duda, as well as the current editor-in-chief, Ivan Miklenić, and expressed the wish for this celebration and commemoration to provide incentive for Glas Koncila to stride courageously into its second half century. The Dean of the Catholic Faculty of Theology, University of Zagreb, Prof. Dr. Tonči Matulić, spoke of the indivisible, ideological and historical connection between the Faculty of Theology and Glas Koncila, since many professors of theology have participated in the founding and activities of the newspaper.
A contribution to the commemoration of the jubilee were made by groups of young people from throughout Croatia, who presented the history of Glas Koncila in a humorous manner.
The former editor-in-chief of Glas Koncila, Fr. Živko Kustić, recalling the early period, pointed out that the aim was to create a newspaper for every person. “We used it to tell the people what was happening in the Catholic Church and the world. We were not involved with theories or great wisdom but instead reported on what was happening. And then the Church, the people of God, actually happened,” said Fr. Kustić.
In the lobby of the Archdiocesan Pastoral Institute, there was an exhibition of front pages from the newspaper Glas Koncila and examples of Glas Koncila’s other publishing activities.