The Holy Father has appointed Rev. Ivan Štironja, currently parish priest of Studenci and rector of the Diocesan Shrine of the Sacred Heart of Jesus of Mostar-Duvno (Bosnia and Herzegovina), as bishop of Kotor (Montenegro ).
Curriculum vitae
HE Mons. Ivan Štironja was born on May 10, 1960, in Pješivac, in the Diocese of Trebinje-Mrkan. In 1975 he entered the minor seminary in Dubrovnik, where he completed his secondary studies, until 1979. In 1980 he entered the major seminary of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Vrhbosna, Sarajevo.
He was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Trebinje-Mrkan on 29 June 1986.
After his ordination, he was assigned to the Parish of Dračevo as Parish Vicar (1986-1987). From 1988 to 1992 he was at the service of the Diocese of Iringa, in Tanzania, exercising the ministry in the Parish of Kaning’ombe. After a short time in Mostar, he was sent to the Croatian Parish of Oakville, Diocese of Hamilton, Canada (1993-1996). Later he studied Liturgy in Padua, at the Institute of Pastoral Liturgy(1996-1998). On returning to Mostar he was appointed parish priest of the cathedral, diocesan director for the missions (1999-2011), and episcopal vicar for pastoral care (2002-2011). In the years 2011-2016, he held the position of National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies. From 2016 until now, he has been Parish Priest in Studenci and Rector of the Diocesan Shrine of the Sacred Heart of Jesus. He has been a member of several Councils and Commissions of the Episcopal Conference of Bosnia and Herzegovina and Diocesans.
