Observance and concert on the occasion of the transfer of the office of the Archbishop of Zagreb from Cardinal Franjo Kuharić to Msgr. Josip Bozanić

Zagreb, October 4, 1997 (IKA) — An observance and concert were held on October 3 in the Zagreb Cathedral on the occasion of the transfer of the office of the archbishop of Zagreb from Cardinal Franjo Kuharić to Msgr. Josip Bozanić. On behalf of the archdiocese, Prelate Vladimir Stanković delivered an addres, emphasizing the following: “The Zagreb Church, the entire Church among the Croats, the entire Croatian nation and all people of good will within our territorial borders thank you. However, your reputation as a symbol of the Church and Croatia has long since crossed our narrow borders.” Prelate Stanković thanked the retiring archbishop of Zagreb, Cardinal Franjo Kuharić, on behalf of the priesthood and the faithful of the entire Zagreb Archdiocese. He then referred to the distinguished role played by Cardinal Kuharić in his administration of the diocese during critical times. “Right here in this place, in front of [former Archbishop Cardinal] Stepinac#!s grave, you testified fearlessly to moral principles. You opposed all injustice, all trampling of human and national rights. You provided impetus to the renewal of freedom and justice in love. (…) Your provided numberless contributions to Conciliar renewal that have already been realized. You especially worked to reawaken the Catholic mass media, stretching the confines of free public expression during the period of totalitarianism and during the period of the birth of democracy. You and your work remain the symbol and summation of this period in the history of our Church,” said Prelate Stanković. After addressing Cardinal Kuharić, Prelate Stanković also expressed greetings to the newly appointed Archbishop Bozanić. “The Pope has decided that the ancient Zagreb Church will be led in the new millennium by a man who is young in years and even younger in appearance, but mature and ripe with wisdom and experience. (…) You led the Krk Diocese ably. Your role in the felicitous coordination of the Church and state in our country has been sizable. In the various agencies of our Croatian Conference of Bishops, your words are listened to attentively. Your opinions are considered by the Holy See and at various international meetings. However, in presenting and supervising the Council of Croatian Caritas, you revealed a warm heart and understanding toward the victims of war and all in need,” emphasized Prelate Stanković. In the end of his remarks, Prelate Stanković added the following: “The Zagreb Church, all Croatian Catholics and all people of good will, are sorrowful that #!one loved by all#! is leaving the cathedra of the Zagreb bishops. However, they nonetheless rejoice that he will remain a cardinal of the Holy Roman Catholic Church. The new archbishop shall be received in his new Zagreb Archdiocese with open arms, not only because the Holy Spirit, through the Holy Father, is sending him to these Catholic faithful, #!for them to have life,#! but because Zagreb, as the capital of Croatia, and the Zagreb Church have the right to obtain and the honor to receive the best from the Church among the Croatian nation. “The musical portion consisted of works by Croatian and other composers, performed by the mixed choir of the Zagreb Cathedral, the mixed choir of Collegium Pro Musica Sacra and the men#!s choir of the Zagreb Cathedral, conducted by Dr. Vladimir Babuš, Sister Imakulata Malinka and Dr. Miha Demović. The soloists were Anđelko Klobučar and Darko Domitrović on the organ, and soprano Sandra Bagarić. Cardinal Kuharić expressed his thanks to all the participants in the musical program. In conclusion, Cardinal Franjo Kuharić addressed all present: “At this moment, so important for myself, personally, and for our Church, I only feel gratitude to God and all those who have worked with me, who have helped me, who have given me support, who have understood me and shared responsibilities and concerns with me in the administration of our dear Zagreb Archdiocese. There are many of them, they are without number, and their names are written in the Book of Life,” emphasized Cardinal Kuhariæ. “I feel that I must repeat a word that we heard from the choir in Vatroslav Lisinski#!s prayer #!Cum invocarem#!: #!miserere, miserere.#! Have mercy on me, Lord, for all that I have failed to do and should have done and had to do, because we do not atone for what we did in words, acts and thoughts but for what we have failed to do. Therefore: miserere. With feelings of gratitude, I entrust this archdiocese, this cathedra of the Zagreb Archdiocese, to the new archbishop and again commend him to your hearts, your obedience and love,” said Cardinal Kuharić. Distinguished persons from political life were present, including the prime minister of the Croatian Government, Zlatko Mateša, and the vice president of the Croatian Government and the president of the Commission for Relations with Religious Communities, Jure Radić.