Zagreb, April 27, 2001 (IKA) — On Tuesday, April 24, the apostolic nuncio in the Republic of Croatia, Archbishop Giulio Einaudi, celebrated his 50th anniversary as a priest and 25th anniversary as a bishop at a Solemn Mass at the Zagreb Cathedral in concelebration with the president of the Croatian Conference of Bishops, Archbishop Josip Bozanić of Zagreb, the members of the CCB participating at the 22nd Plenary Session, Cardinal Franjo Kuharić, retired archbishops and bishops, Bishop Ratko Perić of Mostar-Duvno, Bishop Franjo Komarica of Banja Luka, and numerous diocesan priests and religious. At the beginning of the Mass, Archbishop Bozanić congratulated Archbishop Einaudi, presenting his life and work. Archbishop Bozanić pointed out that during the apostolic nuncio’s nine years of apostolic service in Croatia, he had organized two unforgettable visits by the Pope to Croatia in 1994 and 1998, signed the fourth contract on behalf of the Holy See between the Holy See and the Republic of Croatia, and witnessed the appointment of the majority of Croatia’s active episcopate. Msgr. Giulio Einaudi was the first nuncio sent by the Holy Father to the independent and internationally recognized Republic of Croatia and as such has a special role in Croatia’s history. “Your Excellency, so many times and at especially grave moments during our recent past, your have been a faithful interpreter and comforting witness of the Pope’s proximity. Your simplicity and directness have made you our archbishop and our Croatian nuncio,” said Archbishop Bozanić in his remarks.
“I intensely wanted to celebrate this Holy Mass of Thanksgiving during a session of the Croatian Conference of Bishops in order to unite with the entire Croatian Church on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of my priestly ordination and the 25th anniversary of my service as a bishop,” said Nuncio Einaudi at the beginning of his sermon. He reminisced about his ordination on June 29, 1951 and the people he had met on his path as a priest who had generously assisted him on numerous occasions. Msgr. Einaudi expressed his deep gratitude to the bishops, priests, religious and all the faithful who have accompanied and supported him during his nine years of service as the apostolic nuncio in Croatia.