Zagreb, (IKA) – A session of the Permanent Council of the Croatian Conference of Bishops was held today, July 15, at the CCB headquarters in Zagreb. The President of the CCB, Archbishop Želimir Puljić of Zadar, presided. The session was also attended by the other members of the Permanent Council of the CCB: the Vice President of the CCB, Archbishop Josip Cardinal Bozanić of Zagreb, Archbishop Marin Barišić of Split-Makarska, Archbishop Ivan Devčić of Rijeka, the General Secretary of the CCB, Msgr. Enco Rodinis, and the Deputy General Secretary, Msgr. Fabijan Svalina.
The members of the Permanent Council commented on the conclusions from the 46th Plenary Session, which was held in April 2013. The Secretariat of the CCB submitted a report on current issues concerning the organization of the offices and institutions of the CCB, as well as the delegates who will participate in upcoming international meetings.
There was also discussion on the beatification of the Servant of God Miroslav Bulešić, to be held on September 28 in the Pula Arena. The Diocese of Poreč and Pula has established a website for this event, miroslavbulesic.hr. Miroslav Bulešić was an exemplary priest, full of pastoral zeal, a man of prayer and practical charity, a priest with a big heart for the poor and needy whose acts were inspired by faith alone, for which he was prepared to sacrifice his life. He was killed by communists after a celebration of the Sacrament of Confirmation in Lanišće on the Feast of St. Bartholomew the Apostle, August 24, 1947.
The bishops were informed about a statement made by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia at the May 26, 2013 session, which was picked up by the media. Namely, in the context of a discussion on the Law on Judicial Cooperation in Criminal Matters with Other Members of the European Union, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia said: “These twenty years, criminals have been protected by the Church and Croatian Democratic Party (HDZ).” The bishops expect an explanation of such a statement and seek an apology for this insult, slander and damage to their reputation.
Issues concerning changes in the relationship between the Military Ordinariate and Ministry of Defense were also discussed, as well as the announced and partially implemented reforms at Croatian Radio Television (HRT). The members of the Permanent Council expressed concern regarding the abolition of the autonomy of the Religious Program on Croatian Television (HTV), which had been guaranteed by an agreement signed by Croatian Radio Television and the Croatian Conference of Bishops, stated the Press Office of the CCB.