Zagreb, (IKA) – Msgr. Ivan Šaško was ordained as auxiliary bishop of Zagreb and titular bishop of Rotaria during the celebration of the Holy Mass on Saturday, March 29, in the Zagreb cathedral. The principal consecrator was the archbishop of Zagreb, Cardinal Josip Bozanić, and the co-consecrators were the auxiliary bishops of Zagreb, Valentin Pozaić and Vlado Košić. The concelebrants also included the archbishops and bishops of the Croatian Conference of Bishops, headed by the president, Bishop Marin Srakić; Bishops Franjo Komarica and Ratko Perić of Bosnia and Herzegovina; Msgrs. Andrej Glavan and Peter Štumpf of Slovenia; Bishop Ivan Penzeš of Subotica and over two hundred priests.
Addressing Dr. Šaško during the homily, Cardinal Bozanić said that today begins a new office after years in the priesthood devoted to intelligent and engaged work for the spiritual, theological-cultural and pastoral training of young generations, particularly candidates for the priesthood and catechists. “I am grateful for your faithful availability, and with great confidence, and due to the many gifts that God has so abundantly bestowed upon you, I am counting on you at this time of rapid sociocultural changes, as an auxiliary bishop who will work wholeheartedly for the solid spiritual and theological formation of the clergy and the lay faithful of our Zagreb Archdiocese and for the adequate presence of our Church in the areas of science and culture,” said Cardinal Bozanić.
After the homily, the candidate was questioned before the people on his resolve to uphold the faith and to discharge his duties faithfully. This was followed by the Litany of the Saints. Then the cardinal laid his hands on the head of the bishop-elect, after which the other bishops did the same. Then the cardinal presented the ordained bishop with the Book of the Gospels (Evangelistary), placed a ring on the ring finger of his right hand, a mitre on his head and presented him with the pastoral staff (crozier).
In the concluding ceremony, the newly ordained bishop was addressed with words of greeting on behalf of the clergy of the Zagreb Archdiocese by the dean of the College of Prebendaries of Zagreb, the Most Rev. Mijo Gabrić. On behalf of the lay faithful of the Zagreb Archdiocese, greetings were conveyed by Mr. Gordan Črpić, who mentioned some of the expectations and hopes of the laity. “Since you are a skilled liturgist, and the celebration of the liturgy is the culmination of community, we expect you to help us grow through the Eucharist in genuine community and friendship,” said Mr. Črpić to Msgr. Šaško, commenting that today we need friendship and love in the Church on a daily basis. He also mentioned that Cardinal Bozanić has initiated two projects in which the participation of the lay faithful is particularly anticipated: the Second Synod of the Zagreb Archdiocese and the Croatian Catholic University. “In both projects, we walk together, bishops, priests, religious and the laity in the “in the newness of life,” said Mr. Črpić.

In an expression of gratitude, Bishop Šaško said that he wanted this to be an archdiocesan celebration, a celebration of the Church. “I now find myself before you, Church of Zagreb, unworthy and weak with many human questions that I can only answer with devotion to God in confidence and certainty that he sees the secrets of the heart,” said Msgr. Šaško. “These days people have said to me in various ways that I should not fear the office which I feel surpasses me. From religious communities, organizations, individuals, acquaintances and strangers, I have received congratulations and support, which have given me the strength and fill this new important chapter in my life with meaning, concluded Msgr. Šaško. Msgr. Šaško’s episcopal motto is “In novitate vitae” (In the Newness of Life). The many faithful present at the ordination also included state, municipal and university authorities.