Zagreb, (IKA) – On the Feast of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, December 8, the archbishop of Zagreb, Cardinal Josip Bozanić, ordained seven permanent deacons of the Zagreb Archdiocese in the Zagreb cathedral. The episcopal vicar for permanent deacons, Dr. Tomislav Markić, confirmed that the candidates were worthy of ordination and called them by name.
The seven married men ordained by Cardinal Bozanić as permanent deacons were Miljenko Bošnjak, Krunoslav Kičinbači, Ivan Mandić, Ivan Markulin, Stanko Mikulić, Marijan Spehnjak and Stipe Šarić.
In the sermon, Cardinal Bozanić recalled that at the Second Vatican Council Archbishop Franjo Šeper particularly supported the revival of the permanent diaconate in the Church. “Therefore, that which we are celebrating today is a reason for great joy because in our Zagreb Church, after having celebrated the fortieth anniversary of the end of the Council several years ago, and then as a fruit of preparation for the Second Synod of the Zagreb Archdiocese, we are hereby introducing the office of the permanent diaconate in our local Church,” said the cardinal, adding that the permanent diaconate in our milieu represents a visible sign of the spiritual work of the Second Vatican Council.
He thanked everyone whose great investment and love had helped achieve this goal: auxiliary bishops, bishops, the episcopal vicar for the permanent diaconate, professors and lecturers in the program of the formation of deacons, parishioners of the parishes from which the candidates come, and particularly the wives of the candidates and their families. “You are called upon to be servants of the truth that Jesus announces to us in the gospel, to serve those who are in material need, as well as the new poor of today, who have been caught in spiritual and cultural poverty, those for whom the meaning of life has been dimmed or who are seeking the meaning of life,” said the cardinal, particularly calling attention to the problem of the young who are looking for people who know how to listen to them and advise them about difficulties.