Zagreb, (IKA) – On Saturday, September 5, Mayor Milan Bandić of Zagreb met with the Superior General of the Society of Jesus, Fr. Adolfo Nicolás Pachón, S.J., and, among others, with the Provincial of the Croatian Province of Jesus, Fr. Ivan Koprek, at the headquarters of the Croatian Province of the Society of Jesus on Palmotić Street in Zagreb, according to an announcement issued by the Office of the Mayor.
At the meeting, the mayor welcomed Fr. Nicolás to Croatia and its capital city of Zagreb. Moreover, Mayor Bandić thanked Fr. Adolfo Nicolás and the Croatian Jesuits for their exceptional contributions in spiritual, social and charitable areas, particularly emphasizing the historical fact that the Jesuits, who actually arrived in 1669, were the founders of the University of Zagreb, which today is the largest and most important in this part of Europe. Mayor Bandić also said that the Jesuits are an important part of the identity of this city, its spirituality and excellence. Furthermore, he added that all these years Zagreb has cultivated good relations with the Catholic and all other religious communities.
Fr. Nikolás noted that he is aware that the Jesuits in Zagreb are very satisfied with the relations and cooperation with the municipal administration. Expressing his gratitude, he also emphasized the desire for this cooperation to continue to be cultivated, particularly regarding the education of the young and social programs. He added that Zagreb, in terms of its socially sensitive policies in, for example, cooperation with the Church to provide housing for those in need, could and should serve as a model for other Croatian as well as European cities.
Singling out war, violence and poverty as the greatest current problems, he stressed the need for working together in order to create a more peaceful and just world.