Cardinal Puljić's Farewell Message

(Patria) - Pope Francis accepted the resignation of Cardinal Vinko Puljić from the pastoral governance of the Archdiocese of Vrhbosna and retired him on Saturday, January 29. He will be succeeded at the head of the Archdiocese of Vrhbosna by the current auxiliary bishop, Msgr. Tomo Vukšić. In his farewell speech, Cardinal Puljić thanked everyone, especially the many intercessors who "accompanied him with prayer and sacrifice".

"Holy Pope John Paul II appointed me Archbishop of Vrhbosna – Sarajevo on November 19, 1990. The appointment was publicly announced on December 7, 1990. The same Holy Pope consecrated me in St. Peter's Basilica on January 6, 1991. I took over the leadership of this local Church on January 19, 1991. When I turned 75, according to the Code of Canon Law, I sent a letter to the Holy Father Francis offering my resignation.

At that time, only a message came that I would remain until further notice. Now Pope Francis has made the decision to retire me. Accepting this decision, I want to express my gratitude here. First to dear God who called me into this world and consecrated me for holy service. I thank Saint Pope John Paul II who trusted me, consecrated me, and included me in the apostolic college of our time. On this path of mission as archbishop, there are many people who helped me fulfill this mission. First and foremost, the many intercessors who accompanied me with prayer and sacrifice. May God reward them, because without them I could not have fulfilled my mission," Puljić stated.

He thanked all the "priests, religious men and women, as well as numerous lay people who generously cooperated out of love for this local Church, thus easing my service".

"May the Lord be their reward in this and the eternal life. And from me, sincere thanks and respect to all of them. There is no need to list their names, but I carry them in my heart. To all those who, for any reason, were reserved in their cooperation or perhaps burdened it, I sincerely forgive, because they thus educated me in humility, modesty, and patience, and to them I wish an abundance of the Holy Spirit to discover and fulfill God's will. To those who carry burdens or wounds for any reason because of me, I sincerely ask for forgiveness and pray that Jesus Christ educates us in love. To the auxiliary bishop, who today takes over the leadership of this local Church, I wish an abundance of grace and strength from the Holy Spirit and good, sincere cooperation from everyone in this local Church, so that love for this Church helps to heal so many wounds and strengthen hope in every person," said Puljić.

He said that, in agreement with the new archbishop, he will remain in the residence until his accommodation is arranged.

"According to church laws, upon the Pope's acceptance of the resignation from the office of any diocesan bishop, his services in the Bishops' Conference also cease. Therefore, my services in our Conference also cease at this time. Thus, at this moment, I sincerely want to thank the other brother bishops for their fruitful cooperation, and as church regulations predict, the vice-president of the Conference will lead its work until the election of a new president. God bless you and thank you for everything," Puljić conveyed, reports the Catholic Press Agency.