Selca, 10. 9. 1996. (IKA) – On the occasion of the Second anniversary of the Pope#!s visit to Croatia, a monument to Pope John Paul II was festively unveiled at Selca on the island of Brač, on 7th August. Apostolic nuncio in Republic Croatia Archbishop Giulio Einaudi has unveiled the monument. Nuncio Einaudi transferred the greetings and apostolic blessing of the Holy Father. “Let all who see this monument feel the internal encouragement to put themselves in the service of life and authentic peace, so important to these territories”. On this occasion a hymn of gratitude to the Holy Father was performed for the first time. The ceremony of the monument unveiling was preceded by an Eucharist concelebrated by Zagreb Archbishop Franjo Cardinal Kuharić and Sarajevo Archbishop Vinko Cardinal Puljić, Venice patriarch Marko Cardinal Ce, Split and Makarska Archbishop Ante Jurić, Zadar Archbishop Ivan Prenđa, Rijeka-Senj Archbishop in retirement Josip Pavlišić, Hvar-Brač-Vis bishop Slobodan Štambuk, Krk bishop and Rijeka Senj archdiocese administrator Josip Bozanić, Dubrovnik bishop Želimir Puljić and Mostar bishop in retirement Pavle Žanić. Cardinal Kuharić talked, in his preach, about the men as a social being and remembered the Holy Father#!s intercession concerning the recognition of Republic Croatia and a great help at the very beginning of democratic changes. “He was not afraid when he had to stand on the side of Croatian people, attacked and oppressed Pope determined himself for the truth and for our right on Iife and freedom, on right to stay at our home. We are grateful to him, today, not only as to a head of the Church, but also for he defended our justice, freedom and peace”, said Cardinal Kuharić.
It was Selca parish priest don Stanko Jerčić who gave the idea of building the monument in honor of Pope John Paul II. After he consulted bishop Štambuk and by his intercession Croatian bishops and apostolic nuncio, he also consulted Msgr. Nikola Eterović, unofficially, this idea was accepted officially at a meeting of local citizens and representatives of the parish and the county, 14th October 1994th. Academic sculptor Kuzma Kovačić and the architect Emil Šverko had gained the competition for the creation of the monument. The monument is made of one peace of stone 2.70 m heigh.