Cardinal Puljić Receives Order of King Dmitar Zvonimir with Sash and Morning Star to the Sound of a Sevdalinka

(Patria) - President of the Republic Zoran Milanović awarded the Grand Order of King Dmitar Zvonimir with Sash and Morning Star to Vinko Cardinal Puljić, Archbishop Metropolitan of Vrhbosna. The decoration was conferred upon Cardinal Puljić for his exceptional contribution to the preservation of Croatian identity and for outstanding achievements in interreligious, cultural and humanitarian work. He received the award to the sound of the sevdalinka "Tebi majko misli lete".

Expressing satisfaction and honour at being able to present the high decoration, the Grand Order of King Dmitar Zvonimir, to Cardinal Puljić on behalf of the Croatian state, President Milanović noted that he has been following his work and mission for years.

„I believe that these decades, during which you have worked both as a shepherd and, in the last few, as Archbishop of Vrhbosna, have left a bright, shining mark, both as a man and as a church prelate of the Catholic Church, the church to which the majority of Croatian citizens and Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina belong,“ President Milanović said in his address.  

„You have also done a great deal for Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina. They live there in a neighbouring, friendly state whose existence we will never question in any way. You have done everything you could, from your side, to ensure that relations between nations and religions remain harmonious, humane, in accordance with the fundamental principles and postulates of what you preach, which is brotherhood, unity, peace and love among people. I know that sounds like a cliché and has been repeated and said many times, but that is what we should strive for and that is the only meaning and content of politics,“ the Croatian president stated, thanking Cardinal Puljić for everything he has done and for what he will yet do.

Thanking for the awarded decoration, the Archbishop of Vrhbosna, Cardinal Vinko Puljić, recalled in his address all those who inspired him „on how to position oneself correctly in challenging times.“ In this regard, he highlighted the first Archbishop of Vrhbosna, Josip Stadler, Blessed Alojzije Stepinac, and the Archbishop of Zagreb, Franjo Kuharić.

„I thank them for their witness of faith and for helping me, through their example, to adopt attitudes and principles based on the Gospel and Church teaching, which I always tried to apply in leading the local Church entrusted to me just before the war. Those same principles, having survived the war, I have persistently advocated to this day,“ he said.

„In Bosnia and Herzegovina, we are different in faith, culture and national identity. That is why I persistently advocated the path of dialogue, mutual respect, according to the principle: love your own, respect others,“ Cardinal Puljić stated, emphasising that „I am grateful that you noticed this and encouraged me with this recognition. In essence, you encouraged all those who cooperated with me on the same line of attitudes and commitments, and for that I sincerely thank you!“, concluded the Archbishop of Vrhbosna, Cardinal Vinko Puljić, in his address.

Alongside Cardinal Puljić at the decoration ceremony at the Office of the President of the Republic were the Secretary General of the Croatian Bishops' Conference, Dr. Krunoslav Novak, the Cardinal's personal secretary, Rev. Domagoj Matijević, and the Cardinal's friends. Alongside President Milanović were the Head of the President's Cabinet, Bartol Šimunić, the President's Advisor for Education, Jadranka Žarković, and the President's Advisor for Foreign and European Policy, Neven Pelicarić.