Apostolic Vicariate of Herzegovina

It was established on the initiative of the Herzegovinian Franciscans and with aid from Ali Pasha Rizvanbegović, the vizier of Herzegovina.

The vicariate was abolished on 5 July 1881 by Pope Leo XIII, who established the Diocese of Mostar-Duvno in its place.

In 1734, the Propaganda started to study the matter, inquiring about the status of Catholics in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Diocese of Duvno.

They asked the nuncio in Vienna, Austrian Empire to discuss the issue with the bishop of Bosnia, who resided in Đakovo since the first half of the 13th century, about establishing the new diocese.

The Propaganda had another session on the matter in June 1735 and discussed the proposition of the archbishop of Zadar about reestablishing the Diocese of Duvno.

They also received an answer from the nuncio, who informed them that the Austrian Emperor would not object to sending an apostolic vicar to Bosnia.

Finally, the Propaganda agreed to grant the requests from the Catholics of Bosnia and Herzegovina, asking the archbishop of Zadar to propose a suitable bishop.

Thus, a new dispute arose between the bishop of Makarska and the archbishop of Split (who controlled parts of the territory around Livno) on one side and the apostolic vicar of Bosnia on the other.

The bishop of Makarska and the archbishop of Split tried to maintain their influence by appointing the diocesan clergy in parishes and trying to replace the Franciscans.

[11] In 1845, Barišić wrote to the Propaganda to allow him to move to Herzegovina, stating that from there, he would also serve the Diocese of Trebinje-Mrkan and that Catholics and Muslims there "all love him and want him, including the Vizier".

[15] The secretary of the Propaganda wrote to Barišić on 13 March 1846, informing him about the success in the negotiations and called him to resign from the office of the Apostolic Vicar of Bosnia "as soon as possible",[13] which he did.

[15] On 29 April 1846, the Propaganda informed Barišić that he should move to Herzegovina immediately after he received a ferman of approval from the Sultan.

On 7 March 1866, he blessed the cornerstone of the church, which was finally built in 1872, when the bishop consecrated it to the apostles Peter and Paul.

[25] In 1878, he wrote to the nuncio in Vienna about the necessity of the introduction of the diocesan clergy in the vicariate because the head of the Franciscan Custody had all authority, with the apostolic vicar being only a figurehead that confirms his decisions.

[26] The Franciscans of Herzegovina were on bad terms with Kraljević, claiming he didn't give them enough of the collected alms to construct the monastery in Humac.

[28] In February 1877, Kraljević requested from the Propaganda to send an apostolic visitor in Herzegovina and accused Paškal Buconjić, at the time guardian of the Humac monastery, of negligence towards the parishes and the Herzegovinian Franciscans of taking the payment for maintenance by force from the believers during the Easter Communion.

[29] The Congregation named Bishop Casimir Forlani the apostolic visitor, and he arrived in Mostar in February the next year.

Forlani finished the report in May 1878 and advised the bishop to act in agreement with the Franciscans, record revenues and expenditures, and help the construction of the monastery in Humac.

With the Austrian-Hungarian occupation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1878, the chances for Buconjić to become a residential bishop with the reintroduction of the regular Church hierarchy became palpable, unlike those of Vuičić.

[38] With the Austrian-Hungarian occupation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1878 and the signing of the Convention between Austria-Hungary and the Holy See on 8 June 1881, the ground for episcopal nominations was established.

[40] Pope Leo XIII with the apostolic bull Ex hac augusta from 5 July 1881, restored the regular Church hierarchy in Bosnia and Herzegovina.