Hvar, (IKA) – On Friday, March 9, Bishop Slobodan Štambuk of Hvar-Brač-Vis, whose letter of resignation has been accepted by Pope Francis, issued a message of gratitude from the Hvar cathedral of St. Stephen, Pope and Martyr to the priests, religious and faithful of the local Church he has led since the year 1989, after reading Pope Francis’ decision on the appointment of Msgr. Dr. Petar Palić as the new bishop of the three-island diocese.
“Greetings to the people of the Church, my vicar until now, Rev. Stanko Jerčić; our deacons, Rev. Emil Pavišić and Rev. Toni Plenković; and the priests, with joy that so many of you came to Hvar. Let Bishop Petar know that there are those in this diocese who recognize Peter,” said Msgr. Štambuk. He also expressed his gratitude to the members of the Hvar fraternities of St. Nicholas and the Holy Cross, who are active in the cathedral parish; the religious in the city of Hvar: the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul in the diocese; the sisters of the order of the Daughters of Divine Charity, who are active in parish ministry, catechesis and serving the cathedral; and the Benedictine nuns, whose mother superior Sister Ana Vukas was present [in 1147] when new Diocese of Hvar-Brač-Vis was proclaimed in the cathedral. He also greeted the representatives of the municipal authorities, expressing the hope that Mayor of Hvar, Rikardo Novak, together with the President of the City Council, Jurica Miličić, and the city councilors will give their new bishop a good welcome.
“I should like to thank all those who accompanied me through my twenty-seven years as bishop with their goodness, help and availability when needed,” said the visibly moved Bishop Štambuk, among other things, and announced that the episcopal ordination of Msgr. Petar Palić would take place in early May. Addressing the diocesan priests, he said: “Brother priests, with my personal greeting, I want Bishop Petar to be received with love, much tact and warmth. I also expect the same from the entire diocese.”
Following the announcement of the appointment of the new bishop of Hvar, diocesan priests individually thanked Msgr. Štambuk for the many years of his episcopal service.
Msgr. Petar Palić will be the fifty-sixth bishop in the history of the Diocese of Hvar-Brač-Vis, founded in the twelfth century. In the history of the diocese, two of its bishops were also cardinals and several were also titular archbishops. In the history of the local Church, there were six Dominican bishops, the last of whom, Msgr. Celestin Bezmalinović, was succeeded by Msgr. Slobodan Štambuk.