Zagreb, (IKA) – The Archbishop of Zadar, Msgr. Želimir Puljić, was elected as the President of the Croatian Conference of Bishops at the 45th Regular Plenary Session held on November 14, 2012, according to the Press Office of the CCB. Archbishop Puljić was born on March 7, 1947, in Kamena near Mostar, the Parish of Blagaj. He graduated from the diocesan secondary school in Dubrovnik and studied theology in Split and Rome. In Rome, he received a licentiate diploma in pastoral theology and a doctorate in psychology.
On March 24, 1974, he was ordained a priest of the Diocese of Mostar. After completing his studies, from 1978 to 1980 he served as prefect at the school of theology in Sarajevo. From 1980 to 1985, he was the prefect of studies and from 1985 to 1988 he was the rector of the same institution.
On December 7, 1989, he was appointed bishop by Pope John Paul II and was ordained in Dubrovnik on January 14, 1990, when he assumed office. On March 15, 2010, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him Archbishop of Zadar, and on April 24, 2010, he assumed office.