Vinko Puljić
Stored: Vinko Puljić
| His Eminence Vinko Puljić | |
| Bishop of | |
| Home diocese: | Diocese of Banja Luka |
| Other diocese 1: | Archdiocese of Vrhbosna |
| Other diocese 2: | |
| Other diocese 3: | |
| Ordination: | 29 June 1970 by Bishop Stjepan Bauerlein |
| Consecration: | 6 January 1991 by Pope John Paul II |
| Rank: | Cardinal |
| Created cardinal: | 26 November 1994 by Pope John Paul II |
| Personal details | |
| Born: | Vinko Puljić September 8, 1945 Prijećani, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| Died: | |
| Nationality: | Bosnian Croat |
| Education: | Major Seminary of Đakovo |
| Motto: | In Fide et Caritate |
| Role: | Emeritus |
| Theology: | Conservative |
| Region: | Southern Europe |
| Rite: | Roman Rite |
| Conclave Eligibility: | Eligible |
Vinko Puljić, born September 8, 1945, is a Bosnian Croat Catholic cardinal and Archbishop Emeritus of Vrhbosna (Sarajevo), serving from 1991 to 2022. Elevated to cardinal by Pope John Paul II in 1994, he was a key figure in promoting peace during the Bosnian War, aiding refugees, and fostering interfaith dialogue through the Interreligious Council of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Within the Roman Rite, his conservative views, including opposition to same-sex blessings, have sparked debate, while his pastoral leadership earned him respect.[1][2][3]
Born in Prijećani, Banja Luka, Puljić was inspired by the Saint John Bosco, emphasizing service to the poor. In 2025, at age 79, he was eligible for the papal conclave, attending despite health challenges, with his presence symbolizing resilience. His 30th cardinalship anniversary in 2024 highlighted his enduring legacy in war-torn Bosnia.[4][5][6]
Biography
Birth and early life
Vinko Puljić was born on September 8, 1945 in Prijećani, Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the twelfth of thirteen children of Ivan and Kaja Puljić.[1][2] His mother died when he was three, and his stepmother, Ana, raised him. Influenced by the Trappist Monastery of Marija Zvijezda and John Bosco’s service ethos, he entered the minor seminary of Zagreb in 1961, supported by a monk’s donation.[3][7]
Growing up in a poor, devout family, Puljić developed a strong Marian devotion and commitment to peace, later evident in his war-time leadership. His rural roots shaped his pastoral approach.[2][8]
Education
Puljić studied at the minor seminaries of Zagreb and Đakovo, then philosophy and theology at the Major Seminary of Đakovo, earning a bachelor’s degree in 1970.[1][2] His formation emphasized pastoral care and Church tradition, influenced by Croatian theologians.[7]
His education in Yugoslavia’s communist era prepared him for navigating religious tensions. He mastered Croatian, Bosnian, and Latin, aiding his interfaith work.[2]
Priesthood
Ordained a priest on 29 June 1970 by Bishop Stjepan Bauerlein for the Diocese of Banja Luka, Puljić served as a chaplain in Banja Luka (1970–1973), parish priest in Sasina (1973) and Ravska (1973–1978), and spiritual director at Zadar’s minor seminary (1978–1987).[1][8] He was pastor in Bosanska Gradiška (1987–1990) and vice-rector of Sarajevo’s major seminary (1990).[7]
His priesthood focused on youth formation and pastoral care. During the Bosnian War, he risked his life visiting parishes, once imprisoned by Serbian forces, earning admiration for his courage.[3][9]
Bishop
Appointed Archbishop of Vrhbosna on 19 November 1990 by Pope John Paul II, Puljić was consecrated on 6 January 1991 by John Paul II at St. Peter’s Basilica.[1][8] Elevated to cardinal-priest of Santa Chiara a Vigna Clara on 26 November 1994, he was the youngest cardinal at 49.[2] He retired as archbishop on 29 January 2022, becoming emeritus.[1]
During the Bosnian War, Puljić aided refugees, mobilized Church resources, and promoted interfaith dialogue, co-founding the Interreligious Council.[7] In 2025, at age 79, he attended the conclave despite health issues, opting to vote in the Sistine Chapel.[5] His conservative stances, including on Međugorje and same-sex blessings, have drawn controversy, balanced by his peace advocacy.[3][10]
| Diocese | Role | Start Date | End Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vrhbosna | Archbishop | 19 November 1990 | 29 January 2022 | Appointed by Pope John Paul II; retired |
| Santa Chiara a Vigna Clara | Cardinal-Priest | 26 November 1994 | Present | Appointed by Pope John Paul II |
Significant events
- Entered the minor seminary of Zagreb in 1961.[1]
- Ordained priest for the Diocese of Banja Luka by Bishop Stjepan Bauerlein on 29 June 1970.[1]
- Appointed spiritual director at Zadar’s minor seminary in 1978, serving until 1987.[7]
- Appointed Archbishop of Vrhbosna on 19 November 1990, consecrated on 6 January 1991.[8]
- Created cardinal-priest of Santa Chiara a Vigna Clara by Pope John Paul II on 26 November 1994.[2]
- Elected president of the Bishops’ Conference of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1995, serving until 2002, and again from 2005 to 2010.[1]
- Invested as Bailiff Grand Cross of Honour and Devotion in the Sovereign Military Order of Malta on 18 October 2001.[1]
- Participated in the 2005 and 2013 papal conclaves, electing Popes Benedict XVI and Francis.[1]
- Named Synod Father for the 13th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops on 18 September 2012.[1]
- Tested positive for COVID-19 on 2 December 2020, recovered by 12 December.[1]
- Retired as Archbishop of Vrhbosna on 29 January 2022.[1]
- Celebrated 30th anniversary of cardinalship on 25 November 2024.[6]
- Participated in the 2025 papal conclave, voting in the Sistine Chapel despite health challenges.[5]
Books
Written about the bishop
- Kronika kardinala Vinka Puljića nadbiskupa Vrhbosanske nadbiskupije 1-3, Vjera, nada, ljubav, Sarajevo, 2018.[11]
- Vrhbosanska mjesna Crkva i njezin kardinal, Sarajevo, 2020.[11]
Written by the bishop
- O stradanjima s nadom: misli - stajališta - poruke, Sarajevo, 1994.[11]
- Suffering with Hope: appeals, addresses, interviews, Zagreb, 1995.[11]
- O stradanjima s nadom II: misli - stajališta - poruke, Sarajevo, 1997.[11]
- Korita prošlosti i pritoke sadašnjosti: izabrane propovijedi prigodom 25-te obljetnice (1991–2016) biskupskog ređenja Vinka kard. Puljića, nadbiskupa vrhbosanskog, Sarajevo, 2016.[11]
External links
- Vinko Cardinal Puljić, Catholic-Hierarchy.org
- PULJIĆ Card. Vinko, Vatican Press Office
- Academy in honour of three decades of cardinal service of Vinko Puljić, Banja Luka Diocese
- Cardinal Vinko Puljić: Synodal Way’s ‘exotic ideas’ alien to a Church that survived communism, National Catholic Register
References
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 "Vinko Puljić". 2025-05-01. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinko_Puljić.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 "PULJIĆ Card. Vinko". 1994-11-26. https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinals_biographies/cardinal_puljic.html.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 "Cardinal Vinko Puljić". 2024-07-08. https://collegeofcardinalsreport.com/cardinal-vinko-puljic.
- ↑ "Who can vote in a papal conclave?". 2025-04-20. https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/260678/who-can-vote-in-a-papal-conclave.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 "Cardinal who could potentially have slowed down conclave changes mind". 2025-05-03. https://catholicvote.org/cardinal-vinko-puljic-conclave-voting/.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Academy in honour of three decades of cardinal service of Vinko Puljić". 2024-11-28. https://www.biskupija-banjaluka.org/en/academy-in-honour-of-three-decades-of-cardinal-service-of-vinko-puljic/.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 "H.E. Vinko Cardinal Puljić". 2020-10-13. https://www.rfp.org/leadership/h-e-vinko-cardinal-puljic/.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 "Vinko Cardinal Puljić". https://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/bishop/bpuljic.html.
- ↑ "Vinko Puljić". 2025-03-10. https://religion.fandom.com/wiki/Vinko_Puljić.
- ↑ "Cardinal Vinko Puljić: Synodal Way’s ‘exotic ideas’ alien to a Church that survived communism". 2021-06-15. https://www.ncregister.com/news/cardinal-vinko-puljic-synodal-way-exotic-ideas.
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 "Vinko Puljić". 2008-08-28. https://hr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinko_Puljić.