A special plenary session of the Croatian Conference of Bishops, Archbishop Marin Srakić of Đakovo-Osijek, President of the CCB, presiding, was held on January 23 at the headquarters of the CCB, Ksaverska cesta 12A, Zagreb. The Apostolic Nuncio in the Republic of Croatia, Msgr. Mario Roberto Cassari, also participated.
A report on the work of the Commission for Croatian Martyrology was submitted by its president, Bishop Mile Bogović. According to a decision by the Croatian Conference of Bishops and the Bishops’ Conference of Bosnia and Herzegovina, the commission is concerned with victims from the territories of Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina. The commission cooperates with the State Office for the Finding, Designating and Maintenance of the Graves of the Victims of Communist Crimes after the Second World War. As an example of quality work, Bishop Bogović mentioned the activities of the Herzegovian Franciscans who are systematically working on gathering data on the martyrs in their territory. A conference is being prepared that will contribute to knowledge about the element of religious martyrdom. Bishop Bogović stressed that it is necessary to begin field investigations and name a person responsible for each diocese.
The Croatian Government has informed the bishops about the new composition of the Commission for Relations with Religious Communities of the Government of the Republic of Croatia. In the Episcopal Commission of the CCB for Relations with the State, headed by Cardinal Josip Bozanić, the existing members have been joined by Msgr. Mate Uzinić and Msgr. Ivan Šaško.
The Council for the Family of the CCB has been renamed the Council for Life and the Family.
The bishops were astonished by a statement by the minister of health of the Government of the Republic of Croatia regarding the beginning of human life, which was viewed among the public as unprofessional, inhuman and ideologically motivated.
At the session, there was also discussion about the functioning of certain offices and institutions of the CCB and the specific delegates who will represent the CCB at individual events.