Croatian Bishops' Conference
 | |
| Abbreviation | HBK |
|---|---|
| Formation | 15 May 1993 |
| Type | Civil nonprofit |
| Legal status | Active |
| Headquarters | Zagreb |
| Location |
|
Region served | Croatia |
Membership | Active and retired Catholic bishops of Croatia |
Official language | Croatian & Latin |
President | Želimir Puljić, archbishop of Zadar |
Parent organization | Holy See |
| Affiliations |
CCEE COMECE |
| Website | hbk.hr |
The Croatian Bishops' Conference (Croatian: Hrvatska biskupska konferencija; Latin: Conferentia Episcoporum Croatiae) (HBK) is an episcopal conference of the Catholic Church in Croatia. Conference was founded on May 15, 1993 after Croatia regained its independence after the breakup of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s, which consequentially led to the abolition of the Bishops' Conference of Yugoslavia. HBK is composed of all active and retired bishops; currently 24 (18 active, 4 retired, 1 military ordinary).[1]
History
After the breakup of Yugoslavia occurred, Croatia declared its independence on June 25, 1991. The Holy See recognized Croatia on January 13, 1992. Croatian bishops made a proposal for the establishment of the Croatian Bishops' Conference.
On May 15, 1993 the Holy See issued a decree by which it established governing body for the Croatian dioceses-Croatian Bishops' Conference.[2] Archbishop of Zagreb, Cardinal Franjo Kuharić, was elected as a first Conference President.
HBK Statute was renewed on February 5, 2000. Cardinal Josip Bozanić served as Conference president in two terms (1997-2007). At the HBK plenary session in October 2007 in the town of Gospić, Archbishop of Đakovo-Osijek Josip Srakić was elected as the President. Vice-Presidents of the Conference were Cardinal Josip Bozanić and Archbishop of Split-Makarska Marin Barišić. At the 45th session of the HBK that was held on November 14, 2012 Archbishop of Zadar Želimir Puljić was elected as the fourth Conference President.[3]
HBK and Bishops' Conference of Bosnia and Herzegovina takes care of the pastoral care of Croatian Catholics abroad. They also appoint together Episcopal Commission for the Pontifical Croatian College of St. Jerome in Rome. In addition, their common question are also liturgical books in the Croatian language. According to this, both Conferences have an annual common season.
HBK is a member of Council of the Bishops' Conferences of Europe and Commission of the Bishops' Conferences of the European Community.
Organisation
Conference bodies are:
- Episcopal Commission (for: 1. Liturgy, 2. Relations with the European Union, 3. Croatian Caritas, 4. Relations with the State, 3. a Dialogue with the Serbian Orthodox Church, 4. Pontifical Croatian College of St. Jerome)
- Councils (for: 1. the Doctrine of Faith, 2. Catechizing, 3. Clergy, 4. Seminaries and Vocations, 5. Institutes of Consecrated Life, 6. Life and Family, 7. Laity, 8. Education, 9. Ecumenism and Dialogue, 10. Cultural and Church Cultural Assets, 11. Missions, 12. Pastoral Care of Migrants with committees for Pastoral Care of Tourists and Pastoral Care of Sailors, 13. Croatia Foreign Congregation with the National Office for the Croatian Foreign Congregation)
- Commissions (1. Legal, 2. "Iustitia et Pax" (Justice and peace), 3. Joint Commission of the Croatian Bishops' Conference, 4. Croatian Conference of Major Superiors and Croatian Union of Major Superiors)
- Committees (for: 1. Youth, 2. Social Communication, 3. Pastoral Care of Prisoners, 4. Pastoral Care of Roma)
- General Secretariat
- Offices of the General Secretariat (for: 1. Finances, 2. National Catechism, 3. Media, 4. Family, 5. Secular Societies, Movements and Communities, 6. Youth)
- Institutes (1. Central Institution of the HBK for maintaining clergy and other officers, 2. Croatian Caritas, 3. Croatian Catholic Radio, 4. Catholic Press Agency, 5. Center for the Promotion of the Social Doctrine of the Church, 6. Croatian Institute for Liturgical Pastoral)
The President and Vice President shall be elected for the time period of three years by bishops, with term renewable twice.
Members
Members of the Croatian Bishops' Conference are:
| Portrait | Name | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Želimir Puljić | Archbishop of Zadar | President of the Conference President of the Permanent Council President of the Council for Culture and Church Cultural Heritage Member of the Commission for relations with the European Union |
 | Josip Bozanić | Archbishop of Zagreb | Vice President of the Conference Member of the Permanent Council President of the Commission for relations with the European Union President of the Commission for relations with the State |
| Marin Barišić | Archbishop of Split-Makarska | Member of the Permanent Council President of the Council for Seminaries and Vocations President of the Commission for Dialogue with the Serbian Orthodox Church | |
 | Mile Bogović | Bishop of Gospić-Senj | |
 | Ivan Devčić | Archbishop of Rijeka | Member of the Permanent Council Member of the Commission for relations with the European Union |
| Mijo Gorski | Auxiliary Bishop of Zagreb | President of the Committee for Youth | |
| Đuro Hranić | Archbishop of Đakovo-Osijek | ||
| Vjekoslav Huzjak | Bishop of Bjelovar-Križevci | President of the Council for Clergy | |
 | Ante Ivas | Bishop of Šibenik | Member of the Commission for Liturgy |
| Jure Bogdan | Military Ordinary of Croatia | ||
| Nikola Kekić | Eparch of Križevci | ||
 | Vlado Košić | Bishop of Sisak | |
| Dražen Kutleša | Bishop of Poreč-Pula | ||
 | Josip Mrzljak | Bishop of Varaždin | |
 | Ivica Petanjak | Bishop of Krk | |
| Valentin Pozaić | Auxiliary Bishop of Zagreb | ||
| Ivan Šaško | Auxiliary Bishop of Zagreb | ||
| Antun Škvorčević | Bishop of Požega | ||
| Slobodan Štambuk | Bishop of Hvar | ||
 | Mate Uzinić | Bishop of Dubrovnik | |
| Valter Župan | Bishop Emeritus of Krk | ||
Presidents
- Franjo Kuharić (1993-1997)
- Josip Bozanić (1997-2007)
- Marin Srakić (2007-2012)
- Josip Bozanić (2012-2013)
- Želimir Puljić (2013- )
References
External links
- Croatian Bishops' Conference website (Croatian)
- Croatian Bishops' Conference webpage. GCatholic.org website
