Varaždin (IKA) – The first bishop of Varaždin, Marko Culej, who died after a long and serious illness on Saturday, August 19, was buried on Wednesday, August 23, in the Varaždin Cathedral. The Requiem Mass and funeral ceremony were conducted by the president of the Croatian Conference of Bishops, Cardinal Josip Bozanić. The concelebrants were the apostolic nuncio in Croatia, Archbishop Francisco Javier Lozano, bishops from Croatia and other countries, and numerous priests. The funeral was attended by high representatives of the state, county and municipal authorities, representatives of Christian churches and other religious communities, and many of the faithful.

In the sermon, Cardinal Bozanić pointed out that Bishop Marko was a magnanimous and simple pastor. During his priestly and episcopal service, he endured various experiences in his pastoral mission, working tirelessly and constantly. He was always prepared to love and encourage, not forgetting anyone. He carefully avoided everything that would provoke division and supported that which united and joined. Emphasizing that Bishop Marko was a good father, always able to love and therefore loved by all, Cardinal Bozanić said that pastoral love helped Bishop Marko to become close to each person, to be concerned about the concrete life of people and he had the ability to communicate with simple people, thereby winning over believers. His pastoral love did not disappear but became even stronger during the days of his suffering, “when his weakness due to illness permitted him to give the Lord and Church only his crucified body.” Those who were with him bear witness to how he always calmly gave everything to the Lord for his beloved diocese and the entire Church, recalled the cardinal.

Cardinal Bozanić also spoke of the “rich path that the Lord prepared for him during the first years of the existence of the Varaždin Diocese under the leadership of its first pastor.” He recalled Bishop Culej’s numerous initiatives and tireless pastoral visits to the religious communities of his diocesan family. Bishop Marko walked with his Church, providing counsel and support for the exalted goals of Christian life, with a heart open to all, said the cardinal.

As the president of the Croatian Conference of Bishops, Cardinal Bozanić expressed his gratitude to Bishop Marko Culej for the services that he performed in the various bodies of the Conference. He was the president of the Council for Institutions of Consecrated Life and Associations of Apostolic Life, the president of the Committee for the Media, and the president of the Justitia et Pax Commission of the Croatian Conference of Bishops. At his death, he was the president of the Committee of for Pastoral Activity with Roms and the president of the Committee for Pastoral Activity with Persons Deprived of Their Freedom. He was a person who knew how to connect people. He was a bishop who built the church community and unity from within, concluded the cardinal.

The Mass was followed by the funeral ceremony and burial of Bishop Culej in the Chapel of the Holy Cross of the Varaždin Cathedral in the. At the funeral, Nuncio Lozano conveyed the condolences of Pope Benedict XVI. Funeral orations were then delivered by the vicar general of the diocese, Msgr. Ivan Godina, and a representative of the lay faithful.