Zagreb (IKA) – On Wednesday, June 1, under the leadership of the president of the Croatian Conference of Bishops, Cardinal Josip Bozanić, a meeting of the members of the Croatian Conference of Bishops with the provincials of Croatia was held at the Secretariat of the Croatian Conference of Bishops. In introductory remarks, Cardinal Bozanić pointed out that such meetings strengthen inter-Church community and impart a sign of testimony to the life of the Church in which religious have a particular and significant role. Cardinal Bozanić particularly greeted the secretary general of the synod of Bishops in Rome, Archbishop Nikola Eterović, who on the previous day had led a magnificent celebration of the feast of Our Lady of the Stone Gates. He also greeted the apostolic nuncio in the Republic of Croatia, Archbishop Francisco Javier Lozano, whose presence was a sign of the firm and faithful bond between the Church in Croatia with the Holy Father in Rome.

At the beginning of the meeting, the president of the Croatian Conference of Religious Superiors, the Rev. Iko Mateljan, OP, delivered greetings and pointed out that it will be possible build genuine church relations and overcome the difficulties encountered on this path with openness and generosity.

The bishops and provincials discussed the Convention for Entrusting Parishes to Clerical Institutions of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. The text of the items for the convention was adopted and it was unanimously concluded that the preparation of conventions should be approached immediately at the level of the diocesan bishops and provincials for all the parishes entrusted to religious and societies of apostolic life.

There was also discussion about spiritual callings. Stressing the powerful ecclesial dimension of this matter and its importance for the life and work of the Church, it was concluded that much more attention should be devoted to this matter in the religious communities and the individual dioceses but also on the joint plan.

It was decided that the Council of the Croatian Conference of Bishops for Seminaries and Spiritual Callings, together with the committees of the Croatian Conference of Male Religious Superiors and the Croatian Union of Female Religious Superiors for spiritual callings, would jointly plan the promotion of spiritual callings within our Church. At the same time, something similar will be undertaken in the dioceses, taking into account the specific nature of the charisms of the individual religious communities.