Marijan Šunjic
Encyclopedia
Marijan Šunjić (Bučići
near Travnik
, January 7, 1798 — Vienna
, September 28, 1860) was a Bosnian Franciscan, Catholic bishop, Apostolic Vicar in Bosnia, writer, linguist; scientific, cultural and political worker.
Bosnia at the end of the 18th century. At baptism
he was named Ivo (in Bosnian short for Ivan, i.e. John) by his parents. He learned the basics of literacy from them, and continued his education in the Franciscan monastery of Guča Gora and the Franciscan monastery in Fojnica
. He spent his novitiate year in Fojnica (1813–1814), and then started his studies of philosophy and theology in Zagreb
and Mohács
(1814–1821). Afterwards he studied oriental languages (Arabic, Turkish
, and Persian
) in Zagreb and Vienna
. He spent eight months with the renowned polyglot
cardinal Mezzofanti in Bologna, where he deepened and expanded his knowledge of the languages. Šunjić hence became well-known for his knowledge of numerous languages, including oriental ones. In addition to the above mentioned languages, he also spoke Italian
, German
, French
, Classical Greek and Latin
, and quite a few Slavic languages
. If we take into account his education, his broad views, scientific and cultural work, we can say with certainty that he was one of the most prominent figures in the history of the Franciscan Province of Bosna Srebrena, and not only in his lifetime.
When he returned to Bosnia, he was at first engaged in pastoral work as a parish vicar in Kupres
and Mokronoge near Duvno
(1831), afterwards in Orašje near Travnik (1832). In addition to pastoral work, he performed the function of Province secretary (1832), Provincial custodian (1835) and Provincial Minister (1845–1851). The last five years of his life he spent as bishop and the Apostolic Vicar in Bosnia (1855–1860).
He was twice imprisoned by the Ottoman
authorities (in 1827 and 1834), because he fought for the rights of the Catholic people and his Franciscan Province. During the conflict with Bishop Rafo Barišić, in 1843 he was, along with many other prominent Franciscans, sentenced to be expelled to Italy, but that decision, due to changed circumstances, was never realized. During that long-lasting conflict, he travelled twice to Rome (in 1834 and 1840) and once to Constantinople
(in 1846, together with some other friars), fighting for the rights of the Province. In 1851 he submitted a plea to the Austrian Emperor Francis Joseph I, urging him to take concrete action for the improvement of the hard situation Bosnian Catholics and Franciscans were in.
He was very active and successful in raising new churches and monasteries, as well as in opening public schools. He was the first one to suggest the idea of abstinent societies. In October 1854, Pope Pius IX named him the titular bishop of Panadena and Apostolic Vicar in Bosnia. He performed the duty until death.
Šunjić was a good Franciscan, an ardent priest, and an exemplary bishop. He was a man of supreme erudition, an expert for classical, European, and oriental languages. In conversation with the Pope
, bishops, priests, the Emperor, the Sultan
, the Vizier
, or ordinary people he was always elegant and dignified, mild and pleasant, simple and humble. Bishop Josip Juraj Strossmayer
said that Šunjić "had been the greatest and most famous man Bosnia in recent times had".
He died in Vienna, on September 28, 1860. He was buried in the church of the Guča Gora Monastery
. His written legacy was burned in 1945, together with the monastery, for whose construction he was largely responsible. The esteem, respect, and love toward Bishop Šunjić were once again expressed when people in great numbers attended the funeral. Entire Bosnia shed their tears for him. On his tombstone was inscribed that "he was the crown and pride of his brethren, and an everlasting glory of his entire folk".
Bucici
Bučići is a village in the vicinity of Novi Travnik, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Population estimate : around 1,600. Ethnic composition: 1) Croat , Others .Religious composition: chiefly Roman Catholic.- Notable people from Bučići :...
near Travnik
Travnik
Travnik is a city and municipality in central Bosnia and Herzegovina, 90 km west of Sarajevo. It is the capital of the Central Bosnia Canton, and is located in the Travnik Municipality. Travnik today has some 27,000 residents, with a metro population that is probably close to 70,000 people...
, January 7, 1798 — Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
, September 28, 1860) was a Bosnian Franciscan, Catholic bishop, Apostolic Vicar in Bosnia, writer, linguist; scientific, cultural and political worker.
Life
Fr. Marijan Šunjić was born in OttomanOttoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
Bosnia at the end of the 18th century. At baptism
Baptism
In Christianity, baptism is for the majority the rite of admission , almost invariably with the use of water, into the Christian Church generally and also membership of a particular church tradition...
he was named Ivo (in Bosnian short for Ivan, i.e. John) by his parents. He learned the basics of literacy from them, and continued his education in the Franciscan monastery of Guča Gora and the Franciscan monastery in Fojnica
Franciscan monastery in Fojnica
Franciscan monastery of the Holy Spirit is a Bosnian Franciscan monastery in Fojnica, Bosnia and Herzegovina. It was founded in 1668 and it includes a library of ca...
. He spent his novitiate year in Fojnica (1813–1814), and then started his studies of philosophy and theology in Zagreb
Zagreb
Zagreb is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Croatia. It is in the northwest of the country, along the Sava river, at the southern slopes of the Medvednica mountain. Zagreb lies at an elevation of approximately above sea level. According to the last official census, Zagreb's city...
and Mohács
Mohács
Mohács is a town in Baranya county, Hungary on the right bank of the Danube.-History:Two famous battles took place there:# Battle of Mohács, 1526# Battle of Mohács, 1687...
(1814–1821). Afterwards he studied oriental languages (Arabic, Turkish
Turkish language
Turkish is a language spoken as a native language by over 83 million people worldwide, making it the most commonly spoken of the Turkic languages. Its speakers are located predominantly in Turkey and Northern Cyprus with smaller groups in Iraq, Greece, Bulgaria, the Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo,...
, and Persian
Persian language
Persian is an Iranian language within the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European languages. It is primarily spoken in Iran, Afghanistan, Tajikistan and countries which historically came under Persian influence...
) in Zagreb and Vienna
Vienna
Vienna is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Austria and one of the nine states of Austria. Vienna is Austria's primary city, with a population of about 1.723 million , and is by far the largest city in Austria, as well as its cultural, economic, and political centre...
. He spent eight months with the renowned polyglot
Multilingualism
Multilingualism is the act of using, or promoting the use of, multiple languages, either by an individual speaker or by a community of speakers. Multilingual speakers outnumber monolingual speakers in the world's population. Multilingualism is becoming a social phenomenon governed by the needs of...
cardinal Mezzofanti in Bologna, where he deepened and expanded his knowledge of the languages. Šunjić hence became well-known for his knowledge of numerous languages, including oriental ones. In addition to the above mentioned languages, he also spoke Italian
Italian language
Italian is a Romance language spoken mainly in Europe: Italy, Switzerland, San Marino, Vatican City, by minorities in Malta, Monaco, Croatia, Slovenia, France, Libya, Eritrea, and Somalia, and by immigrant communities in the Americas and Australia...
, German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
, French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
, Classical Greek and Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
, and quite a few Slavic languages
Slavic languages
The Slavic languages , a group of closely related languages of the Slavic peoples and a subgroup of Indo-European languages, have speakers in most of Eastern Europe, in much of the Balkans, in parts of Central Europe, and in the northern part of Asia.-Branches:Scholars traditionally divide Slavic...
. If we take into account his education, his broad views, scientific and cultural work, we can say with certainty that he was one of the most prominent figures in the history of the Franciscan Province of Bosna Srebrena, and not only in his lifetime.
When he returned to Bosnia, he was at first engaged in pastoral work as a parish vicar in Kupres
Kupres
Kupres can refer to:* Kupres, Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, a town and municipality in Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bosnia and Herzegovina* Kupres, Republika Srpska, a municipality in Republika Srpska, Bosnia and Herzegovina...
and Mokronoge near Duvno
Tomislavgrad
Tomislavgrad is a town and municipality in southwestern Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is in the Canton 10 of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Herzegovina region.- Name :...
(1831), afterwards in Orašje near Travnik (1832). In addition to pastoral work, he performed the function of Province secretary (1832), Provincial custodian (1835) and Provincial Minister (1845–1851). The last five years of his life he spent as bishop and the Apostolic Vicar in Bosnia (1855–1860).
He was twice imprisoned by the Ottoman
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
authorities (in 1827 and 1834), because he fought for the rights of the Catholic people and his Franciscan Province. During the conflict with Bishop Rafo Barišić, in 1843 he was, along with many other prominent Franciscans, sentenced to be expelled to Italy, but that decision, due to changed circumstances, was never realized. During that long-lasting conflict, he travelled twice to Rome (in 1834 and 1840) and once to Constantinople
Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
(in 1846, together with some other friars), fighting for the rights of the Province. In 1851 he submitted a plea to the Austrian Emperor Francis Joseph I, urging him to take concrete action for the improvement of the hard situation Bosnian Catholics and Franciscans were in.
He was very active and successful in raising new churches and monasteries, as well as in opening public schools. He was the first one to suggest the idea of abstinent societies. In October 1854, Pope Pius IX named him the titular bishop of Panadena and Apostolic Vicar in Bosnia. He performed the duty until death.
Šunjić was a good Franciscan, an ardent priest, and an exemplary bishop. He was a man of supreme erudition, an expert for classical, European, and oriental languages. In conversation with the Pope
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
, bishops, priests, the Emperor, the Sultan
Sultan
Sultan is a title with several historical meanings. Originally, it was an Arabic language abstract noun meaning "strength", "authority", "rulership", and "dictatorship", derived from the masdar سلطة , meaning "authority" or "power". Later, it came to be used as the title of certain rulers who...
, the Vizier
Vizier
A vizier or in Arabic script ; ; sometimes spelled vazir, vizir, vasir, wazir, vesir, or vezir) is a high-ranking political advisor or minister in a Muslim government....
, or ordinary people he was always elegant and dignified, mild and pleasant, simple and humble. Bishop Josip Juraj Strossmayer
Josip Juraj Strossmayer
Josip Juraj Strossmayer was a Croatian politician, Roman Catholic bishop and benefactor.-Early life and rise as a cleric:...
said that Šunjić "had been the greatest and most famous man Bosnia in recent times had".
He died in Vienna, on September 28, 1860. He was buried in the church of the Guča Gora Monastery
Guča Gora Monastery
The Guča Gora Monastery is a Roman Catholic Franciscan monastery in a small village Guča Gora east of Travnik in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In the mid-19th century Bosnian Franciscans decided to build the monastery in the area of Travnik. On May 30, 1859, the General Minister of the Franciscan Order...
. His written legacy was burned in 1945, together with the monastery, for whose construction he was largely responsible. The esteem, respect, and love toward Bishop Šunjić were once again expressed when people in great numbers attended the funeral. Entire Bosnia shed their tears for him. On his tombstone was inscribed that "he was the crown and pride of his brethren, and an everlasting glory of his entire folk".