Discussing history in Croatia and Serbia

Yesterday and today, in the Vatican, a first meeting of the mixed Commission of Croatian and Serbian experts appointed to carry out a re-reading of the life of Blessed Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac before, during and after the Second World War took place.  This Commission was created at the invitation of the Holy Father, following various meetings and consultations with representatives of the Holy See, the Serbian Orthodox Church and the Croatian Episcopal Conference to address the need to clarify some historical questions.

The Commission is entrusted with the work of developing a scientific report, following the methodology of historical science based on documentation and testimonials and their contextual understandings.  This will not interfere with the process of canonization for Blessed Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac, which is the responsibility and competence of the Holy See.

The Commission's work will include a series of meetings which should be complete within twelve months.  The Commission is composed as follows:

Honorary President, under the patronage of the Holy See:
Reverend Father Bernard Ardura
President of the Pontifical Committee for Historical Science

Members representing the Catholic Church in Croatia:
His Eminence, Josip Cardinal Bozanić, Archbishop of Zagreb; His Excellency, Ratko Perić, Bishop of Mostar-Duvno; His Excellency Antun Škorčević, Bishop of Požega; Doctor Jure Krišto, Croatian Institute for History; and Doctor Mario Jareb, Croatian Committee for Historical Science

Members representing the Serbian Orthodox Church:
His Eminence, Amfilohije, Metropolitan of Montenegro and Littoral; His Eminence, Porfirije, Metropolitan of Zagreb and Lubiana; His Excellency, Irinej, Bishop of Novi Sad and Bačka; His Excellency, Jovan, Bishop of Slavonia; and His Excellency, Professor Darko Tanasković, Ambassador and Permanent Delegate of the Republic of Serbia to UNESCO.

The next meeting will be held in Zagreb on 17-18 October 2016.