“In this decision by the Holy Father, I recognize once again a great sign of his love and devotion to the Croatian nation and the Church among the Croats. I consider it a gift that the Pope has given to all the bishops of Croatia through me and I understand it as particular recognition of the holy heritage of the Zagreb Archdiocese,” stated Archbishop Bozanić, adding that his appointment as cardinal entails new responsibilities.

Due to the general crisis in the communication process in Croatian society and the widespread tendency to think that the current moment is absolute, there is a loss of feeling for the whole and for history. Furthermore, increasing cultural-religious pluralism is bringing the sole salvation through Christ into crisis, the rift between the Gospels and the culture hinders the practice of a Christian life so that the dominant criteria for judgment and choice today are not according to the Gospels,

“We should not be slaves to the past but whoever does not see a reason for gratitude toward those who indebted us to them in our past will also not see a reason to work today for those who will come after us. . . . In the new church in Udbina, will shall not foster enmity toward anyone. We wish to build a church in honor of all those who knew how to live and die in order for there to be peace, safety and freedom for all who live here or will live here,” said Bishop Bogović in Udbina

The foreword to this volume was written by the president of the Croatian Conference of Bishops, Archbishop Josip Bozanić, who at the presentation pointed out that the book is a valuable document of our Church and civil history

“For eleven years, I have attempted to serve the Church in Croatia with a feeling of responsibility and love. I have gathered immeasurable riches of human and Christian values with which your land abounds. I have enjoyed your exceptional and generous hospitality, and marveled at your gestures of love, solidarity, work and peace", said the first apostolic nuncio in Croatia

On September 9 at Krbavsko Polje (Krbava Field), there will be a commemoration of the 510th anniversary of the Battle of Krbavsko Polje, one of the greatest tragedies in Croatian history. On this occasion, a campaign will be inaugurated for the building of the Church of the Croatian Martyrs in Udbina.