Josip Bozanić

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Josip Bozanić (born 20 March 1949) is a Cardinal Priest and Archbishop of Zagreb in the Roman Catholic Church.

Born in Rijeka to a farming family, Bozanić was ordained a priest on 29 June 1975. He held several posts within the diocese of Krk, including secretary to the bishop and a teaching post at the local seminary. Bozanić also holds master's degrees in dogmatic theology (Pontifical Gregorian University) and in Canon law (Pontifical Lateran University).

Bozanić was named Coadjutor Bishop of Krk on 10 May 1989, was appointed administrator of the Archdiocese of Rijeka-Senj on 5 June 1996, and was made Archbishop of Zagreb on 5 July 1997, a post he continues to hold. He is also President of the Croatian Conference of Bishops and Vice-President of the Council of European Bishops' Conferences.

Bozanić was elevated to Cardinal in the consistory of 21 October 2003 by Pope John Paul II, given the title Cardinal Priest of St. Jerome of the Croatians. He was one of the cardinal electors who participated in the 2005 papal conclave that selected Pope Benedict XVI.