Zagreb, (IKA) – A special plenary session of the Croatian Conference of Bishops, presided over by the President of the CCB, Archbishop Marin Srakić of Đakovo-Osijek, was held on July 12 in Zagreb. In addition to the members of the CCB, the session was also attended by the Apostolic Nuncio to the Republic of Croatia, Archbishop Mario Roberto Cassari.
The main topic of the session was a review and analysis of the apostolic visit by Pope Benedict XVI to Croatia on June 4 and 5 of this year. Archbishop Srakić said that the Pope’s visit was a great event for our Church and nation, and that it had great resonance in both Croatia and abroad. He read a thank you letter that the Pope sent the President of the CCB, in which the Holy Father expresses deep gratitude for the warm welcome and the commitment to the preparations for his visit, with the attentive and pious participation of the large crowds. The Pope emphasizes that he carries strong impressions in his heart from meetings with various strata of the Croatian people, recalling the encounters with young people on Ban Josip Jelačić Square, families at the Zagreb Hippodrome, and Vespers with the bishops, priests, religious, theologians, seminarians and novices at the Zagreb cathedral.
Commenting on the Pope’s visit, the bishops particularly mentioned the magnificent gathering at the main square in Zagreb “from which powerfully resonated the silent discourse of Croatian Catholic young people, who through prayer, song and silence bore witness to their faith and delighted many. The bishops praised the extensive and meaningful preliminary program at the Hippodrome and stressed the importance of the message to Croatian Catholic families that the Pope delivered in his sermon. The importance of the meeting at the Croatian National Theater was also noted, where in a particular way the Pope’s openness to dialogue with all the structures of society came to the fore. The bishops thanked all those who participated in the organization of the Pope’s visit in any way, both at the Church and Government levels. The bishops encourage the faithful and all people of good will to read and profoundly contemplate the messages expressed by the Holy Father in Croatia so that they may take hold and bear fruit among our nation.
At the session, the bishops were also informed about the completion of the construction of the Church of Croatian Martyrs in Udbina, which will be dedicated on September 10. Starting next year, Croatian Martyrs’ Day will be commemorated on the last Saturday in August. The bishops also heard a report on the status of the cause for the beatification of the Servant of God Miroslav Bulešić, who was killed by the communists on August 24, 1947, at the parish rectory in Lanišće.