Review article
https://doi.org/10.53745/ccp.48.93.3
A Priest, a Patron and a Politician. Juraj Žerjavić as Parish Priest in Marija Bistrica (1875 – 1910)
Vedran Klaužer
orcid.org/0000-0003-4766-830X
; Croatian Institute of History, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
The biography of the parish priest in Marija Bistrica dr. Juraj Žerjavić (born 13th April 1842, died 1st July 1910) is well known to Croatian historiography. The main focus of research was especially concerned around his political activities in supporting of Party of Rights in the period from the late 1860’s until 1900’s recognizing Žerjavić as a prominent supporter and active member of the Party of Rights from the 1880s, which represented the ideas and political programs of later as a member of parliament (1897-1902). His work in the form of the renovation of the Marian shrine in Marija Bistrica from 1879 to 1883 under the leadership of architect Herman Bollé is also well known. However, less is well known about his economic and pastoral activities on the position of the parish priest in Marija Bistrica which he performed form 1875 until his death in 1910. During this period of 35 years Žerjavić participated in various local activities that influenced the progress and modernization of parish Marija Bistrica. This was especially manifested in his cooperation with local authorities or his own initiatives in improving local education. In addition to taking care of the shrine and pastoral work as the head of parish, Žerjavić also created various diplomatic ties with members of the local population as well as with his assistants - chaplains. Since the engagement in politics on the one, and managing the parish on the other hand, made essential pillars of his activities, Žerjavić›s pastoral activity and political involvement are inseparable parts of his biography. Hence, the aim of the work is therefore to show his engagement and involvement in various segments of the local events of Marija Bistrica during the mentioned three decades of pastoring in order to complete this hitherto unknown picture and segment of his biography.
Keywords
Juraj Žerjavić; parish Marija Bistrica; 19th century; Party of Rights.
Hrčak ID:
320527
URI
Publication date:
6.9.2024.
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