Pope names Croatian archbishop general secretary of Synod of Bishops

Published: 2004-02-11

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope John Paul II named Archbishop Nikola Eterovic, a 53-year-old Croatian with more than 20 years' experience in Vatican diplomacy, as secretary-general of the Synod of Bishops. He replaces Cardinal Jan Schotte, a Belgian who had run the synods since 1985. Cardinal Schotte, 75, retired from the position because of age, the Vatican said in an announcement Feb. 11. Archbishop Eterovic, the apostolic nuncio in Ukraine since 1999, is known as an accomplished diplomat and one of a new generation of future leaders at the Vatican. He helped organize a successful papal visit to Ukraine in 2001, dealing in particular with ecumenical tensions related to the visit. In his new job, Archbishop Eterovic will coordinate planning for future synods and follow-up work on past assemblies. Most synods involve themes discussed by bishops representing the universal church and are held every three or four years.

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