Zagreb, February 6, 1999 (IKA) – The ordination of two new auxiliary bishops of Zagreb, Josip Mrzljak (55) and Vlado Košić (44), was held today, February 6, at the Zagreb Cathedral. The Solemn Mass and consecration of the bishops was conducted by Archbishop Josip Bozanić of Zagreb. The other ordaining bishops were Cardinal Franjo Kuharić and the apostolic nuncio in the Republic of Croatia, Archbishop Giulio Einaudi. The Mass was concelebrated by more than two hundred priests, monks and bishops from Croatia, in addition to bishops from neighboring countries, including Bishop Franjo Komarica of Banja Luka (Bosnia-Herzegovina), Bishop Ilija Janjić of Kotor (Montenegro), Bishop Franc Kramberger of Maribor (Slovenia), Bishop Metod Pirih of Koper (Slovenia), Auxiliary Bishop Pero Sudar of Sarajevo (Bosnia-Herzegovina), and Auxiliary Bishop Mark Sopi of Skoplje-Prizren for Catholic Albanians in Kosovo. At the beginning of the Mass, Archbishop Bozanić greeted the assembled and emphasized that today is “an unsurpassed day for the Zagreb Church.” Following the Liturgy of the Word was the Liturgy of Ordination. During the Liturgy of Ordination, Canon Stjepan Večković of Zagreb and Dr. Ivan Šaško read the apostolic decrees of the appointment of the bishops. Archbishop Josip Bozanić delivered the sermon, first greeting the assembled, particularly the relatives of the new auxiliary bishops. He then discussed the significance of the office of bishop: “The ordination of bishops according to the sacramental act and the great responsibility invested upon the chosen, that makes them participants in the care of all the Church, introduces a qualitative shift in the human and spiritual life of the individual and provides a new call to holiness in proportion to the gifts received from the Holy Spirit: spiritual strength and wisdom, the spirit of love and giving, up to the sacrifice of his own life.” Referring to the first reading during the Mass, concerning the call of the prophet Isaiah, the archbishop noted that a bishop is first required to proclaim the greatness of God: “Today, to assume the office of bishop is certainly courageous and bold, because it means to expose oneself to great challenges, to begin a demanding and difficult period of life. Only the Holy Spirit can fortify this courage with myriad gifts.” Archbishop Bozanić told the newly ordained bishops that God was opening a broad field of the apostolate for them in the service of the nation and according to the mottoes they have chosen, “Do Good” and “Love Hopes for Everything.” He emphasized the example of the Blessed Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac, who will be their intercessor as bishops, and read a statement by Cardinal Stepinac concerning the episcopal office. “These words of Archbishop Alojzije Stepinac provide impetus, encouragement and firm guidelines. Josip and Vlado, today the Blessed Alojzije is conveying his episcopal experience to you. At the foundation is the call: follow the same path!” urged the archbishop of Zagreb. At the end of the sermon, Archbishop Bozanić made the following recommendation to the newly ordained auxiliary bishops of Zagreb: “Be good shepherds who from day to day give your lives for our faithful. Be disciples of Christ who are called upon to testify and proclaim. Demonstrate that your lives and the episcopal office primarily belong to God, the gospel, grace and the spirit.”
After the sermon, the ceremony of ordination began with the anointing of the heads of the candidates, presentation of the evangelistaries and the handing over of the symbols of office.
At the end of the Mass, the new auxiliary bishops were congratulated on behalf of the priests of the Zagreb Archdiocese by the parish priest of the St. Blaise Parish, the Rev. Mijo Gorski, on behalf of the lay students of theology by Dubravka Petrović, and by Apostolic Nuncio Einaudi. The speakers mentioned that one of the newly ordained auxiliary bishops of the Zagreb Archdiocese is an experienced pastoral worker and the other is a distinguished theologian – signifying a need for new evangelization in the new era of the Church among the Croats. The necessity for cooperation among all the bishops and priests in pastoral activity, which should be coordinated with the needs of the faithful, was emphasized. Nuncio Einaudi congratulated the new auxiliary bishops on behalf of Pope John Paul II and on his own behalf, expressing the hope that they will serve the local Church in Zagreb, together with their archbishop, and give all their available strength to their episcopal office. After these greetings, the newly ordained Auxiliary Bishops Mrzljak and Košić expressed their gratitude. Bishop Mrzljak spoke about his episcopal motto, “Do Good.” Bishop Košić pointed out that there is no retreat before love but it is the prime mover and guiding principle of everything. The money received during the collection was contributed to the Missionaries of Charity of Mother Teresa.
The Mass was also attended by a number of political and cultural figures.