Požega, September 27, 1997 (IKA) — “In order to build a truly living Church in this #!Golden Valley#! and the entire Požega Diocese, in peace and joy …, may every priest, every monk, every nun and every believer — young and grown — work with the bishop in devotion, confidence and love. And he shall lead his diocese joyfully, and #!not with sorrow, because that would be of no use to you#! (Hebr 13,17),” emphasized Cardinal Franjo Kuharić in his sermon on the occasion of the ordination of the first bishop of Po ega, Antun Škvorčević, in front of the Cathedral of St. Teresa of Ávila in Požega.
The celebration of the Mass at the Po ega Cathedral was preceded by a ceremonial procession of believers and priests from the diocesan building to the cathedral. At the beginning of the Mass, the letter sent by Pope John Paul II on July 5 of this year in which he established the Požega Diocese was read aloud. Immediately prior to Cardinal Kuharić#!s sermon, the Apostolic Letter naming Dr. Antun Škvorčević as the first bishop of Po ega was read. Besides Cardinal Kuharić; the archbishop of Zagreb, Josip Bozanić; and the apostolic nuncio in the Republic of Croatia, Archbishop Giulio Einaudi; nearly all the Croatian bishops participated in the celebration of the Mass, in addition to representatives of neighboring bishops#! conferences, provincials of the religious orders that are active in the diocese, and numerous clergy. Also present were representatives of the other religious communities, including the president of the Mešihat of the Islamic Community, Ševko Omerbašić, as well as representatives of the Croatian Government. Those present also included the president of the Croatian Parliament (Sabor), Vlatko Pavletić; and the vice president of the Croatian Government and President of the Government Commission for Relations with Religious Communities, Jure Radić.
After the ordination, Bishop Škvor evi was congratulated by representatives of the faithful, on behalf of the clergy by Mirko Horvatić, and the mayor of Požega. During the Mass, the choir of the new cathedral and the Vijenac Cultural Artistic Society of Požega sang.
At the end of the Mass, those present were addressed by the apostolic nuncio of the Republic of Croatia, Archbishop Giulio Einaudi, who conveyed to all greetings from the head of the Catholic Church. He expressed his joy at the founding of the new diocese and urged all priests, monks, nuns and lay persons to cooperate with the new bishop for the good of the diocese and the entire Church. The nuncio also expressed the desire that Christ, who is now among us, should always remain among us, as expressed by the motto of the new bishop.
Bishop Antun Škvorčević delivered his first speech in his new office. Bishop Škvorčević expressed his affection for the diocese. He called upon all its members to work together for the glory of Christ. “You shall never lack the openness of my heart and soul. The doors of the Bishop#!s Residence in Požega shall always be open to you,” emphasized Bishop Škvorčević , particularly addressing young people, parents and all the suffering, especially those who had lost their health, family or home during the war. The first bishop of Požega gave his support to all of those, from farmers to physicians and scientists, who struggle for the advancement and well-being of the diocese, Church and homeland. Bishop Škvorčević thanked everyone who had helped him on his path as a priest and to the office of bishop.
The beginning of the main celebration of the establishment of the Po ega Diocese and the ordination of the first bishop of Požega, Antun Škvorčević, was marked at 6 a.m. by the firing of cannons. This was followed by singing and a festive general celebration outside the diocese building in which various folk groups, the municipal majorettes and the Trenkovi Panduri Municipal Orchestra participated.
The motto of the first bishop of Po ega, “Christ Today and Always,” is an abbreviated form of the motto of the Great Jubilee for the celebration of the 2,000th anniversary of the birth of Christ. In Bishop Škvorčević #!s coat of arms, on a blue background are the stylized greek letters RO, standing for Christ – the Savior and Redeemer of the world. The coat of arms also contains the grapheme M that stands for the Mother of God, the Virgin Mary, and stylized stalks of wheat that signify the presence of the Church in the golden Požega Valley. The newly founded Požega Diocese, formerly part of the Zagreb Archdiocese, is divided into six deaneries: Našice, Nova Gradiška, Nova Kapela, Pakrac, Požega and Virovitica, encompassing 82 parishes. The diocese also includes three parishes from the Dubica Deanery. These 85 parishes are administered by 13 parish priests who are members of religious orders and 65 diocesan parish priests. There is a total of 115 priests in the diocese. In the territory of the diocese are also 10 women#!s orders, with a total of 75 nuns. As a symbol of the unity of the six deaneries of the Požega Diocese, soil, stalks of wheat, grapes and wine from all the deaneries were presented at the altar as offerings.
The Church of St. Teresa Ávila has been chosen to be the cathedral of the new diocese. This church was built in the mid 18th century at the initiative and with the financial support of Empress Maria Theresa. The Church of St. Teresa was built in the form of a Latin cross, in the style of the late baroque. It was blessed on July 24, 1763 by Bishop Franjo Thauszy. The church is particularly distinguished by a 63 m belfry with four bells. The interior is in the baroque and rococo style, of which the main altar is an exceptionally valuable specimen.