Požega (IKA) – Bishop Antun Škvorčević of Požega sent a letter to all the priests and believers of his diocese, in which he pointed out that Benedict XVI is “a man of profound faith, broad knowledge, great wisdom, rich pastoral experience and a faithful associate of John Paul II for many years,” and had inherited the office of the prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith from the Croatian cardinal Franjo Šeper. “With his sensitivity to contemporary issues and the problems of mankind as well as his skill in dialogue, he will be a close fatherly presence for all people, and also in Croatia, which he has visited several times and on these occasions met the Church in our nation. The name that he has chosen indicates that he will particularly attempt to revive and strengthen the Christian spiritual heritage of Europe. He invited the faithful to receive the Holy Father with gratitude to God for having given us such a teacher and pastor for our souls, and to accompany his works with prayer, respect and devotion. “May the Lord, through the office of Pope Benedict XVI, bestow upon the Church abundant spiritual goods and grant peace to the world,” concluded the letter that the priests of the Požega Diocese will read to the faithful at the beginning all Sunday Masses on April 24.