Zadar, (IKA) – The President of the Croatian Conference of Bishops, Archbishop Želimir Puljić of Zadar, sent a letter on behalf of all the Croatian bishops to Pope Benedict XVI on the occasion of his resignation from the papacy.
“Listening to expressions of compassion from people for your courageous act, we are filled with consolation. Your decision reveals a purity of soul, strong and unwavering faith, the power of humility and gentleness, and the great courage that has distinguished every step of your exemplary pontificate. We are grateful to Divine Providence that we were able to follow your Magisterium during the eight years of your rich ministry. We are particularly grateful for the manner in which you exercised the Petrine ministry, with great dignity, vision and courage. Also, with your Magisterium and writing, you knew how to confront the major challenges and questions of today’s world, with creative and extensive theological reflection,” wrote Archbishop Puljić.
Although this announcement saddened everyone, the bishops accepted the Pope’s statement and conveyed it to the faithful—that the profound love that His Holiness bears for God and the Church was precisely the reason that prompted him to make such an important decision for the life of the Church. “While in these moments we are struck by this news, we feel astonishment and admiration. Therefore, Your Holiness, we consider the decision you have made to be an act of your personal courage and humility.
Thank you, Holy Father, for this splendid example. With great love, emotion and admiration, from the depths of our hearts, we wish to thank you. Eight years ago, when the cardinals chose you for the Petrine ministry, you appeared on the balcony of St. Peter’s and introduced yourself as ‘a humble worker in the vineyard of the Lord.’ We are immensely grateful to you for providing us with your shining example of a simple and humble worker in the Lord’s vineyard. In a special way, we are grateful because in that vineyard at every moment you knew how to achieve what is most important: to bring God to people and people to God. We promise you, Your Holiness, our humble prayers. As your fellow workers in the Church among the Croats, allow us, Holy Father, to say that the Croatian bishops and their faithful are closer to you than ever,” wrote Msgr. Puljić.
Requesting the Pope to bless the bishops, priests, deacons, religious, seminarians and lay faithful in Croatia and throughout the world, Archbishop Puljić wished Benedict XVI a good beginning to the holy Lenten season.