Catholic University of Croatia

History

On October 12, 2004, on the 29th plenary session of the Croatian Bishops' Conference held in Zadar, a Decision on Establishment of the Catholic University of Croatia was adopted. The Decision stipulated that the founder of the University was Archdiocese of Zagreb and its sponsor Croatian Bishops' Conference.

On January 6, 2005, Archbishop Josip Bozanić appointed Commission for the Establishment of the Catholic University of Croatia with the mission to design and prepare the establishment. On January 7, 2005, Bozanić appointed five members to the Commission. Commission completed its task on June 3, 2006 when Bozanić officially established the University with the publication of "Decree on the Establishment of the Catholic University of Croatia-Luce Vera Illuminata" (Illuminated with the True Light) and "Instruction for the Establishment" (no. 1273-2/2006). Commission for the establishment become Commission of the Croatian Catholic University. It had to prepare a study for the launch of the University. Professor at the Catholic Faculty of Theological of the University of Zagreb Ivan Šaško was appointed to the position of the interim rector.

On June 6, 2006 an agreement on exchange of property between the Archdiocese of Zagreb and the Croatian Government was signed. According to this agreement the Archdiocese was given premises and buildings of the former military compound in Črnomerec for the exchange of its properties in Vlaška street that were taken from the Church after the World War II.

On July 3, 2008, Ministry of Science, Education and Sports issued a license to the University for performing study programs in psychology, sociology and history and with equal conditions of employment for five years.

Premises of the Catholic University of Croatia were blessed on September 19, 2008 by the Cardinal Secretary of State Tarcisio Bertone. On that occasion, Bozanić explained the reasons for the establishment of the University: "The basis for the establishment of this University is commitment of the Catholic Church to assist to the Croatian system of higher education while carrying out its mission and to streamline its opportunities in the social space because it believes that it is extremely important today, and for that there were no preconditions in the past decades. We are aware that the Church and the Gospel have to say a lot to the university life."

During his visit to Croatia on June 4, 2011, Pope Benedict XVI called the establishment of the University to be a "sign of hope".

In September 2011 a change of University leadership occurred when Ivan Šaško was appointed to the position of the auxiliary bishop of Zagreb so he had to resign as was succeeded by Željko Tanjić.

Academic activity

The first academic year began in 2010/2011 when 40 students enrolled in the first year of the study program of history. In October 2011, the University started its programs in psychology and sociology. First graduates of the undergraduate study program in history were promoted in 2014.

In July 2014 University received accreditation for scientific activity in the field of social sciences and humanities. In the academic year 2015/2016 University started its study program in communication and nursery.

University annually accepts 40 full-time students per study program and currently has around 500 students.

Values

Values promoted by the University are: