Zagreb (IKA) — The new auxiliary bishop of Zagreb, Msgr. Valentin Pozaić, was ordained on March 19 at the Zagreb Cathedral. The main consecrator was the archbishop of Zagreb, Cardinal Josip Bozanić, who conducted the Mass. The co-consecrators were the auxiliary bishops of Zagreb, Msgrs. Josip Mrzljak and Vlado Košić. The concelebrants of the Mass also included the apostolic nuncio in the Republic of Croatia, Archbishop Francisco Javier Lozano, nearly all the Croatian bishops and approximately two hundred priests. The apostolic letter on the bishop’s appointment was read in the Latin and Croatian languages by the chancellor of the Archdiocesan See, the Rev. Stjepan Večković, and the general secretary of the Croatian Conference of Bishops, Msgr. Vjekoslav Huzjak. This was followed by the homily, delivered by Cardinal Bozanić, in which he emphasized that this episcopal ordination is a great grace for the Zagreb Church. The cardinal said that the chosen presbyter truly becomes “an heir of the apostles” through the power of the sacrament of Holy Ordination.

Msgr. Valentin Pozaić was taken from the Croatian Province of the Society of Jesus, of which he was a member until now, to serve as the auxiliary bishop of Zagreb and titular bishop of Pićan. Cardinal Bozanić expressed his joy that the Holy Father has given us a bishop who comes from a religious community, by which, he said, the Society of Jesus and all our religious are honored, who are numerous and very active in the life of our Church.

Addressing Bishop-Elect Pozaić, the cardinal urged him to bear witness to the cross of Christ before all, before the wise and before the powerful of the world, to bear witness courageously and in complete freedom, perseverant in faith and ready to suffer for the Gospel. After the bishop-elect was questioned on his resolve to uphold the faith and discharge his duties faithfully, the prayer of the Litany of the Saints was recited. Then the cardinal placed his hands on the head of the bishop-elect, as did all the other bishops in turn. The prayers of consecration were followed by the anointing of the newly ordained Bishop Valentin. He was then presented with a Book of the Gospels and the symbols of the office of bishop: a ring, miter and pastoral staff.

Bishop Pozaić noted in his address that the future belongs to those who love life. He emphasized that without the culture of life there is no future for the individual, family, nation or the Church.

Greetings and congratulations to the newly ordained bishop were delivered on behalf of the clergy of the Zagreb Archdiocese by the rector of the Shrine of Our Lady of Bistrica, the Rev. Zlatko Koren; on behalf of the religious by the president of the Croatian Conference of Religious Superiors, Fr. Ivan Mateljan; on behalf of the Croatian Union of Mother Superiors by S. Maja Dolenec, and on behalf of the lay faithful of the Zagreb Archdiocese by Dr. Tomislav Gojmerac. Bishop Pozaić also received a gift from the district of Petina (Pićan).