Josip Bozanic Croatian Cardinal Date of Birth: 20.03.1949 Country: Croatia

1. Early Life and Education
2. Priesthood
3. Episcopal Career
4. Archbishopric of Zagreb
5. Cardinalate
6. In the Roman Curia

Early Life and Education

Josip Bozanić was born on March 20, 1949, in Rijeka, Yugoslavia (now Croatia), to farmers Ivan Bozanić and Dinkica Valković. He has a brother named Antun who became a priest, and a distant relative, Bartul Bozanić, who served as the Bishop of Krk from 1839 to 1854.

Bozanić attended the Minor Seminary of Pazin (with Classical Grammar School) and the Theological Faculties of Rijeka and Zagreb, obtaining a Master's Degree in Theology. He continued his studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome (1979-1985, Licentiate in Dogmatic Theology) and the Pontifical Lateran University (Licentiate in Canon Law).

Priesthood

Bozanić was ordained a priest on June 29, 1975, in Krk by the then Bishop of Krk, Carmelo Zazinovich, who he served as personal secretary until 1976. From 1976 to 1978, he served as a parish priest before continuing his studies in Rome.

Episcopal Career

Upon returning to Yugoslavia, Bozanić served as Chancellor of the diocesan curia (1986-1987) and Vicar General (1987-1989) of the Diocese of Krk. He also taught Dogmatic Theology and Canon Law at the Theological Institute of Rijeka from 1988 to 1997.

On May 10, 1989, Bozanić was appointed Coadjutor Bishop of Krk by Pope John Paul II. His episcopal ordination took place on June 25, 1989, in the Zagreb Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. He succeeded Zazinovich as Bishop of Krk when the latter resigned on November 14, 1989.

Archbishopric of Zagreb

Bozanić was appointed the eighth Archbishop of Zagreb on July 5, 1997. He also served as President of the Croatian Bishops' Conference from 1997 to 2007 and Vice President of the Council of European Episcopal Conferences from 2001 to 2006.

Cardinalate

Pope John Paul II elevated Bozanić to the rank of Cardinal-Priest with the titular church of San Girolamo dei Croati in the consistory of October 21, 2003. He participated in the 2005 papal conclave that elected Pope Benedict XVI.

In the Roman Curia

Within the Roman Curia, Cardinal Bozanić is a member of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, the Pontifical Council for the Laity, and the Special Council for Europe of the General Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops.