The Electoral Assembly of the Croatian Catholic Medical Society was held on March 4, 2023, in the Margarita Peraica Hall, named after the Society’s first president.

A Holy Mass celebrated by Prof. Ivan Bodrožić, spiritual assistant of the Society, preceded the Assembly. A Mass was celebrated in the Chapel of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, a temporary liturgical hall because of damage to the Basilica due to the recent earthquake. Interestingly, the same hall was used as a conference room until recently, where the founding Assembly of the Society was held on February 16, 1991.

Welcoming words of the current president and prayers for deceased members of the Society were followed by reports from the secretary, treasurer, Supervisory Board, Court of Honor and presidents of the Society’s branches and sections. The discussion pointed out that activities of the Society increased in the previous mandate period despite the pandemic. Although the activities in some branches have decreased, the revival was noticed in some cities (Dubrovnik, Karlovac, Koprivnica, Varaždin) as well as the establishment of a new branch in Sisak (also recently affected by a major earthquake), the only diocese in continental part of Croatia without the branch. After the discussion, the election procedure followed and the new Executive Committee was elected.

Prof. Rok Čivljak was elected as the President of the Society to a second four-year term along with Prof. Ivica Grković as the First and dr. Petar Bilić as the Second Vice-President. Two secretaries, two treasurers, four regional representatives and additional five members of the Executive Committee, as well as the Supervisory Board and Court of Honor, were elected.

The elected officials have accepted honorable roles in this Society, founded on February 16, 1991 as a catholic professional non-governmental organization under the auspices of the Catholic Church, bringing doctors of medicine, doctors of dental medicine, pharmacists, and other highly educated healthcare personnel together in order to promote Christian principles in healthcare and protect human life from conception until natural death. The members strive to bear witness to these principles through their personal lives and professional activities placing themselves under the heavenly protection of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who is venerated as the Health of the Sick, and the intercession of St. Luke the Evangelist, the patron saint of physicians.

Prof. Rok Čivljak, MD, PhD

The Croatian Catholic Medical Society, President

E-mail: hkld.predsjednik@gmail.com

Web: www.hkld.hr