H. E. Josip Cardinal Bozanić, archbishop of Zagreb, June 3, 2006 announced the decree Luce vera illuminata (illuminated by true light), thereby establishing the Croatian Catholic University in Zagreb. This is the first Catholic university in the history of Croatia which the Church has established following a legacy of higher education over the centuries. As one of the most significant historical moments we remember September 19, 2008, when the Secretary of State of the Holy See Tarcisio Cardinal Bertone solemnly blessed the premises of the new university in the presence of the Croatian bishops, as well as civil and academic authorities.

After decades of persecution, in accordance with its mission the Church is determined to help the Croatian system of higher education and to direct its efforts in this extremely important area of society. As Cardinal Bozanić stated, “this university is needed by the universal Church, but especially by the Church in Croatia, for the sake of developing Christian culture and human progress…I’m convinced that the Croatian Catholic University will be a bridge to other cultures and civilizations.”At the heart of our university there will be space for all areas of science and for all scientific fields. We would also like to provide something visible and distinctive to the programs which are similar to those already existing in Croatia, both in terms of material content and in the Catholic spirit of the university, but also maintaining the highest standards of scientific integrity.

According to the Apostolic Constitution on Catholic Universities Ex corde Ecclesiae, a Catholic university “possesses the institutional autonomy necessary to perform its functions effectively and guarantees its members academic freedom, so long as the rights of the individual person and of the community are preserved within the confines of the truth and the common good.” Every Catholic university, as Catholic, must have the following essential characteristics: 1) a Christian inspiration not only of individuals but of the university community as such; 2) a continuing reflection in the light of the Catholic faith upon the growing treasury of human knowledge, to which it seeks to contribute by its own research; 3) fidelity to the Christian message as it comes to us through the Church; 4) an institutional commitment to the service of the people of God and of the human family in their pilgrimage to the transcendent goal which gives meaning to life.” In a Catholic University, research necessarily includes a) the search for an integration of knowledge, b) a dialogue between faith and reason, c) an ethical concern, and d) a theological perspective.” (ECE, 12-15).