Zagreb, (IKA) – The Thirteenth Joint Session of the Croatian Conference of Bishops and the Bishops’ Conference of Bosnia and Herzegovina, presided over by the president of the CCB, Archbishop Marin Srakić of Đakovo-Osijek, and the president of the BC B-H, Franjo Komarica of Banja Luka, was held on January 24 in Zagreb. In addition to the members of the two bishops’ conferences, the Apostolic Nuncio in the Republic of Croatia, Archbishop Mario Roberto Cassari, participated.
During the working portion of the session, there was a report on cooperation between Caritas Croatia and Caritas Bosnia and Herzegovina, with particular reference to the campaign entitled Solidarity Week with the Church and People in Bosnia and Herzegovina, by the presidents of Caritas in the two countries, Msgr. Josip Mrzljak and Msgr. Franjo Komarica. Reviewing the implementation of past campaigns initiated by the Croatian Conference of Bishops, the bishops provided guidelines for the optimal implementation of this year’s Solidarity Week, which will be held from March 21 to 27, with the motto But You, Brothers, Do Not be Remiss in Doing Good (2 Thess 3:13).
The bishops were informed of the situation regarding Croatian foreign pastoral ministry by the president of the corresponding council, Auxiliary Bishop Pero Sudar of Sarajevo. Aware of the new challenges being encountered by pastoral ministers in Croatian Catholic Missions, both in European and overseas countries, the bishops issued guidelines for thoroughly analyzing the current situation and finding the best solutions. They again expressed their appreciation of all the pastoral ministers in missions throughout the world, encouraging Croatian Catholics abroad to preserve their faith and national identity. A report on the annual visitation to the Pontifical Croatian College of St. Jerome was provided by Bishop Valter Župan of Krk.
The bishops expressed their joy over the announced visit by Pope Benedict XVI to Zagreb, emphasizing that it is a visit to the entire Croatian nation in Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and beyond, with the motto Together in Christ.
It was noted that a special invitation has been extended to young people, with whom the Pope will meet at Ban Josip Jelačić Square on Saturday, June 4, as well as Catholic families among the entire Croatian nation, who will gather at a celebration of the Eucharist at the Zagreb Hippodrome on Sunday, June 5.
During the session, Nuncio Cassari announced the news that Pope Benedict XVI had appointed Mate Uzinić, a priest of the Archdiocese of Split-Makarska, as the new Bishop of Dubrovnik, according to a joint statement issued by the secretariats of the Croatian Conference of Bishops and the Bishops’ Conference of Bosnia and Herzegovina.