Zagreb, (IKA) – The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom for the repose of the soul of the Rev. (Don) Živko Kustić, a renowned theologian, analyst, writer and tireless voice at moments when he taught the Croatian public about who Croatian Greek Catholics are, was served on July 22 at the co-cathedral of SS. Cyril and Methodius in the Zagreb Upper Town. The Divine Liturgy was led by Bishop (Vladika) Nikola Kekić of Križevci, in concelebration with the Vicar of Slavonia-Srijem, Archpriest Stavrophore Ivan Barščevski, the Vicar of Žumberak, Archpriest Stavrophore Milan Vranešić, and otherl priests of the Eastern and Western Rites, in the presence of many family members, friends and the faithful, who filled the Greek Catholic co-cathedral.
Speaking about Don Živko and his demise on the eve of the Feast of St. Elijah, to whom he was very devoted and about whom he had often preached on Sveta Gera, at the base of which he had begun his priestly life, Eparchial Vicar Vranešić noted that Don Živko died quietly and modestly: “He lived by the words he once spoke in an inspired sermon: ‘When cities wither, deserts flourish.’ He lived for the last several years in his room in a home for the aged, almost like a hermit. He endured this like the righteous Job when Satan tested his faith through trials. He was predeceased by his loving and beloved wife, Marica, and his dear son Josip. He spent the final several years when his active life was over, in the din of this world, in the turbulent times for this Church, meditating upon his mission, the life of the Church and this nation. He mediated on what we have just heard in the Letter from the Apostle Paul to the Ephesians. He assumed a militant stance befitting a true soldier of Christ, because the times were hard and fraught with peril. Therefore, Živko carried the shield of faith and wore the helmet of salvation courageously, decisively and resolutely, girded by the truth and clothed in readiness. His armor was his readiness in faith for God, man, the persecuted and the least.” Speaking about the sword of the Spirit with which God had bestowed eloquence on Don Živko, Vicar Vranešić pointed out that Don Živko’s writing was not dependent on technique but on content, and concluded that this was precisely the reason why he was recognizable and widely read. Posing the question how this tireless priest of God acquired his distinctive skill in testifying to faith in Christ during difficult times, Vranešić, recalling their conversations, noted that in them he had spoken about wonderful professors of scholastics who taught him to think, consider and reflect; the mathematics and physics he had studied, and the unforgettable moments spent with the people of Žumberak, absorbing those foundations for life, which, he used to say, cannot be obtained through pretentious scholastics, physics or mathematics, but only from venerable mountain highland wisdom. “Incorporating all of this in Žumberak, Divine Providence in a miraculous way wanted to create a quintet of people in the Žumberak highlands who would mark the life of this Church and region, something that had rarely been seen in all of Christian Europe: …[together with Don Živko], the prisoner for justice and truth, the Blessed Alojzije Stepinac in Krašić; the unforgettable pastor Josip Vraneković, Vlatko Pavlinić, our Cardinal Franjo Kuharić in Samobor. When Vlatko and Živko arrived at Glas Koncila, this newspaper became recognizable, readable and respected. And again in the mid-1960s, Divine providence wanted a theological amalgam of minds, hearts and nobility, so that in addition to these five, more great men appeared: Josip Turčinović, Tomislav Janko Šagi Bunić, Vjekoslav Bajsić, Bonaventura Duda and several others who worked closely together … during difficult times,” emphasized Vicar Vranešić, concluding that the specific qualities of these people were evident in their dialogues, discussions and deliberations, where there was frequent friction but never hatred. “This made room for Glas Koncila, where the minds of the Church and the hearts of the Church could meet, discuss and search for new forms of expression,” said Vranešić.
Speaking about Don Živko’s paternal and fraternal contact with his fellow priests, the optimism and sense of community that he fostered, Vranešić pointed out that all encounters were in the spirit of the gospel, “not letting us priests lose heart but encouraging us to go forward together. He followed what the Blessed Alojzije Stepinac had told him when he went to visit him secretly: ‘As long as you stay together, you will be strong, they will not break you. When you begin to close yourselves off, close your doors to people, then they will break and crush you.'”
Asking what Don Živko leaves behind, Vranešić concluded: “In these times of neopaganism, the Church will have to seek new forms of expression and affirmation. Then it will be necessary to reread Kustić’s texts, which at this moment are perhaps neglected but certainly contribute to opportunities for new re-evangelization. He also leaves us a dimension of internal Church dialogue, for which he was known and in which he persisted through fatherly conversation and understanding. He leaves his many biological offspring but also his spiritual children. His impact is both visible and invisible. We learned from you and those who come after us will learn because your texts are of lasting value and provide incentive for the future.” Vranešić warmly bid farewell to Don Živko in the following words: “You went to the bosom of Abraham. Thank you for the wonderful sermon when you first preached in the shrine of the forefather of our faith, Abraham, in Samobor. You have gone to his bosom where your Marica, with whom you lived for so many years, who understood you and accompanied you, because it was not easy to be the wife of Živko and the wife of a priest, is waiting you. Proud and honorable, worthy and honest, she truly held up three corners of the house, raising the children when you were on your many travels for the good of the Church, … and endured everything. You have also gone to your dear son, Josip. You lived for God and now live with them in God.”