Rijeka, (IKA) – The president of the Croatian Conference of Bishops, Archbishop Josip Bozanic of Zagreb, greeted Pope John Paul II on behalf of the Croatian episcopate at a meeting and luncheon attended by Croatian bishops and the cardinals and bishops of the Pope’s entourage, held on Pentecost Sunday, June 8, at the theological seminary in Rijeka. Archbishop Bozanic thanked the Pope for his third visit to Croatia, saying that with this visit the Pope had “embraced all three ecclesiastical territories and the archdiocese of Zadar,” for which “the pastors and God’s people are proud, honored and grateful.”
“Many changes have occurred during the past decade in Croatia, in both the society and the Church. Throughout our history, at every joyful and painful moment, we have always sensed your fatherly affection, encouragement and help. The Croatian people and particularly the Church in Croatia are infinitely grateful to you,” said Archbishop Bozanic. The archbishop also mentioned that the Croatian Conference of Bishops is celebrating its tenth anniversary, noting that for the bishops “the new evangelization and call to holiness” are now in their hearts, and therefore they have issued pastoral guidelines entitled Called to Holiness.
“Your pilgrimages among the Churches of the world are often in connection with beatification and canonization, thus bearing witness to the holiness of the sons and daughters of the Church,” said the president of the Croatian Conference of Bishops, thanking the Holy Father for the beatification of the Blessed Mary of Jesus Crucified Petkovic and thanking him in advance for the beatification of the Venerable Ivan Merz.
“We are also honored that you have made your third apostolic visit to Croatia in the year devoted to the Rosary, the twenty-fifth year of your fruitful and blessed pontificate. As October 16, the date of your election as Pope, approaches, we wish to say to you, Holy Father, that we are entirely united with you in prayer and works, entrusting your office to the Blessed Virgin.
May God grant you health, strength and grace so that the Church and the whole world may enjoy your testimony, your words and your leadership. Holy Father, this is what we need!” concluded the address by Archbishop Bozanic at the luncheon with the Holy Father, the Croatian bishops, and the cardinals and bishops of the Pope’s entourage. On behalf of the Croatian episcopate, the president of the Croatian Conference of Bishops then presented the Holy Father with a chalice bearing an inscription in commemoration of the Pope’s third apostolic visit to Croatia.