Zagreb, (IKA) – The complex of the future Croatian Catholic University in Zagreb was visited on Wednesday, October 25, by the prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education (for Seminaries and Educational Institutions), Cardinal Zenon Grocholewski, and the archbishop of Zagreb, Cardinal Josip Bozanić, accompanied by the head of the Commission of the Croatian Catholic University, Dr. Ivan Šaško, and the financial officer of the Zagreb Archdiocese, Ivan Hren.

The premises of the former King Tomislav Barracks, which were taken over by the Zagreb Archdiocese pursuant to an agreement of donation between the Government of the Republic of Croatia and the Zagreb Archdiocese, dated September 20, 2006, is now undergoing the necessary adaptation in order for the Commission of the Croatian Catholic University to be able to begin operations. Although the premises were in a highly neglected state when the former owner vacated them, Cardinal Grocholewski gave a high assessment to the complex because it is located in an extended urban area, and in a single place there is sufficient space for organizing all the necessary studies and auxiliary facilities necessary for the functioning of a university institution.

Today it is rare in the world to find space in urban areas for universities and therefore they are built in new and empty land outside of cities, while Zagreb has the opportunity to locate the Catholic University in the city, said the Prefect of the Congregation for Catholic Education, who is in contact with universities throughout the world.

Today there are approximately 1,300 Catholic universities in the world, of which approximately 250 were established during the pontificate of Pope John Paul II, said Cardinal Grocholewski, speaking of the experiences of Catholic universities in the world, particularly noting the high quality universities and their reputations in countries where Catholics are in the minority, and the openness of the governments there to cooperate with the establishment of Catholic universities.