Cardinal Vinko Puljić is a retired Archbishop of Sarajevo with conservative views who worked tirelessly to bring peace to war-torn former Yugoslavia in the 1990s and heroically helped refugees fleeing the conflict.

Born on September 8, 1945, in Prijećani, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Puljic grew up in a large, devout family, experiencing both poverty and strong faith from an early age. His spiritual formation was influenced by his family’s piety and the nearby Trappist Monastery of Marija Zvijezda.

After completing his education and being ordained as a priest in 1970, Puljić served in various roles within the Church. He was a chaplain, parish priest, and spiritual director at a minor seminary, where he was known for his fatherly approach to the seminarians.

On November 19, 1990, Puljić was appointed Archbishop of Vrhbosna, Sarajevo, becoming the sixth Archbishop of that See since the reconstruction of the ecclesiastical hierarchy in 1881.

His tenure as Archbishop coincided with a tumultuous period in the region’s history, as the collapse of communism gave way to conflict in the former Yugoslavia. In November 1992, Pope John Paul II wrote that when he imposed his hands on Puljic on January 6, 1991 to consecrate him, he had “no idea that very shortly your cross would be so heavy and your cup so bitter.”

Archbishop Puljić played a significant role in providing aid to refugees and advocating for peace. He frequently risked his life on pastoral visits to war-affected parishes and engaged in interfaith dialogue to promote unity and mutual respect. He was instrumental in helping thousands of refugees and exiles, mobilizing the local Church’s resources.

According to the Vatican’s biography of the cardinal:

“He began in particular to launch heartfelt appeals for the respect of the inalienable rights of the human person without distinction of race or religious creed, for the right of each to live in his own home, for mutual respect, for unity in plurality. At times, there was opposition to such appeals.

In his tireless work of peace making, he met with many political figures and politicians, at home and abroad. In addition, to give a greater impulse to the commitment of religion for a just peace, he met more than once with the Orthodox and Muslim religious leaders of Bosnia-Herzegovina.”

The Vatican biography goes on to say that although some did not agree with his attitude, Puljic “gained widespread esteem among the people and politicians, becoming a reference point at the most difficult moments and in the most acute crises” and that his radio and written messages were “always positively accepted by the people, both Catholic and Muslim and of other religions.”

The cardinal has received several awards for his work, including honorary doctorates from Grand Valley State University (USA) and Catholic University of Santa Maria (Peru).

Pope John Paul II recognized Puljić’s dedication and at the age of forty-nine elevated him to the rank of cardinal in 1994, making him one of the youngest members of the College of Cardinals at that time.

Throughout his career, Cardinal Puljić has been an active participant in Church affairs, including the conclaves that elected Popes Benedict XVI and Francis. In April 1997, he welcomed John Paul II to Sarajevo, and he has served as President of the Bishops’ Conference of Bosnia-Herzegovina from 1995 to 2002, 2005 to 2010, and 2015 to 2020.

In 2010, Cardinal Puljić faced a legal battle over his residence in Sarajevo, which was claimed by heirs of communist-era occupants. He strongly resisted the eviction notice.

The Bosnian cardinal has been vocal about the declining Catholic population in Sarajevo, stating that it has become “solely a Muslim city.” He has criticized the international community for what he perceives as favoritism towards Muslims.

Cardinal Puljić strongly opposes the blessing of same-sex couples. Regarding recent ceremonies blessing same-sex unions in Germany, he stated: “The divine comes first. I would not pretend to be a judge, but I cannot accept such views.” He considers proposals to bless same-sex couples as “exotic ideas” that are alien to the Church’s teachings.

He was also critical of the German Synodal Way and its proposed reforms, calling them incompatible with the Gospel. He emphasizes returning to the “original Gospel” rather than embracing secularism or relativism. The cardinal has voiced his concerns about “religious arbitrariness” entering Church life and emphasizes the need to return to the Gospel.

In 2020, he was involved in a controversy regarding a Mass to commemorate Croatian Nazi-allied troops and civilians killed by Yugoslav Partisans at the end of World War II. The cardinal celebrated the Mass. The decision drew widespread condemnation from politicians, anti-fascist activists, and public figures.¹Ivo Tomasevic, secretary-general of the Bishops’ Conference, said the bishops saw “no reason” to cancel the Mass as the Church has always prayed for and will pray for the deceased and that should not bother anyone who has goodwill.”

The cardinal expressed nuanced views about the Medjugorje phenomenon. He maintained that the official position of the bishops of Bosnia and Herzegovina was the one expressed by the then Bishops’ Conference of Yugoslavia in April 1991, namely that it “cannot be affirmed that these events concerning apparitions and revelations are of supernatural nature.” He has, however, stated that prayer at the site is allowed, and recognized its evangelical potential in generating “conversions and acts of grace.”

Pope Francis accepted the cardinal’s resignation as Archbishop of Vrhbosna, Sarajevo, on January 29, 2022.