Varaždin, August 27, 1997 (IKA) — On the occasion of the celebration of the founding of the Varaždin Diocese and the installation of the first bishop of Varaždin, a press conference was held at the Hotel Turist on August 27. Stjepan Bunić, president of the Organizing Committee for the Installation of the First Bishop of Varaždin, spoke about the present status of the preparations and the program on the day of installation, September 28.
Stjepan Bunić appealed for financial contributions from sponsors and benefactors for the renovation of the diocesan buildings and the two-day celebration of the installation of the new bishop. As Buni pointed out, the Organizing Committee still needs six to seven million kunas [about a million dollars]. Contributions should be sent to the bank account of the Varaždin Diocese, Account No. 7-00-52801-7-31, at the Varaždinska Banka d.d., Preradovićeva 17, 42 000 Varaždin, Croatia.
The bishop of Varaždin, Marko Culej, spoke about the historical significance of the establishment of the Varaždin Diocese, because “it was the desire of the late Cardinal Stepinac to establish new dioceses in Varaždin and Požega.” The bishop presented the new diocesan coat of arms that is also his personal coat of arms. It is dominated by the blue color of heaven, the green color of the Međimurje, Zagorje and Podravina plains and hills, and the red color of the city of Varaždin. The coat of arms also contains symbols of the cross, the Drava River and three lilies representing the three northern Croatian parishes. The inscription “Vita et pax” [life and peace] is Bishop Culej#!s motto.
Alojzije Domislović, canon of the Varaždin-Ca ma Cathedral Chapter and the diocesan steward, spoke about the two-day festivities. A celebration is planned on the evening of September 27 in the Varaždin Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary into Heaven, at which the world famous mezzo-soprano Ruža Pospiš-Baldani and organist Christopher Bossert will perform. On the day of the installation of the bishop of Vara din, September 28, a festive procession is planned through the streets of the city to be followed by the installation ceremony in the cathedral and a Holy Mass. Approximately fifteen thousand of the faithful, thirty bishops and two hundred priests are expected to come to Vara din for the festivities from Croatia and other countries. Souvenirs are being prepared as well as a commemorative liturgical booklet by Father Zvonimir Bono Šagi. There will be a direct broadcast by Croatian Radio-Television on Sunday, September 28 at 11 a.m. The first issue of the bulletin of the press service, headed by Ernest Fišer, was also presented at this press conference.