Ðakovo, 7. 10. 1996. (IKA) – New Ðakovo and Srijem assistant bishop Ðuro Gašparović, first bishop born in Srijem, was ordained on 5th October in Ðakovo Cathedral. He was ordained bishop by Zagreb Archbishop and President of Croatian Bishops Conference Franjo Cardinal Kuharić, together with Ðakovo and Srijem bishop Ćiril Kos and bishop coadjutor Marin Srakić as consecrators. Apostolic nuncio in Republic Croatia Giulio Einaudi, Sarajevo Archbishop Vinko Cardinal Puljić, bishops from Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Monte Negro, SR Yugoslavia and Macedonia, numerous priests, believers and politicians were present.
Cardinal Kuharić emphasized, in his preach, that the Church can live its freedom, its light and its invincibility only in God. “She can not be bored to any human alliance that could influence with its interests against her mission. Church can not be anybody#!s proper”, said Cardinal Kuharić.
New assistant bishop Ðuro Gašparović, diocesan priest, was born in Srijem part of the diocese, in Golubinci in 1951st. He studied theology in Ðakovo and he was ordained priest 1977th. He spent two years in Srijem parishes Ruma and Irig doing the pastoral work, and 1979th he was sent to Rome to study liturgy and law. He was in Rome to his ordination. He was vice rector in Croatian Institute of St. Jerome and he worked at Congregation for evangelization of people since 1980th. Pope John Paul II nominated him assistant bishop of Ðakovo and Srijem diocese on 5th July this year.