[citation needed] The Diocese of Duvno was suppressed in the 7th century, but re-established in 1337 by Pope Benedict XII as a defence against the Bosnian Church which was widespread in the Kingdom of Bosnia and was expending its influence on the territory of Croatia.

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 beginning 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 the reestablishment of the Diocese of Duvno.

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

Thus the 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 and the other.

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

The Herzegovinian Franciscans established contact with Vizier of Herzegovina Ali Pasha Rizvanbegović was granted his own eyalet by the Ottoman sultan for his loyalty during the Bosnian uprising.

[12] In 1845, Bishop Rafael wrote to the Propaganda to allow him to move to Herzegovina, stating that form 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".

[16] The secretary of the Propaganda wrote to Bishop Rafael 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",[14] which he did.

[16] On 29 April 1846, the Propaganda informed Bishop Rafael that he should move to Herzegovina immediately after he receives a ferman of approval from the Sultan.

[23] 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.

[24] The Franciscans of Herzegovina were on bad terms with the Bishop Anđeo, claiming he did not give them enough of the collected alms for the construction of the monastery in Humac.

[26] In February 1877, Bishop Anđeo 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.

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

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

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

Buconjić bought the land for the new cathedral in the Rondo quarter of Mostar (where the present-day Croatian Lodge "Herceg Stjepan Kosača" is located).

[citation needed] The property where the new cathedral was ought to be built was later put under a lien in benefit of the Franciscan Custody of Herzegovina due to debt, at the time when Buconjić was bedridden.

[citation needed] The main issue during the Buconjić's episcopate diocese was the division of parishes between the diocesan clergy and the Franciscans, who tried to confirm their dominance in Herzegovina with Rome.

Even though the papal bull Ex hac augusta ended all the privileges the Franciscans enjoyed in their missionary work, they still wanted to retain all of the parishes in the diocese.

Begić informed the General about the agreement in July 1883, and since he received no reply, he wrote again in March 1885 when Buconjić was supposed to visit Rome, and settle the issue.

The General's deputy Andrea Lupori replied in May 1885, asking that Buconjić brings with him the contract about the parishes signed by him and the definitors of the Custody.

Vannutelli asked Buconjić in December 1885 whether he agrees with the Begić's proposal or to write which parishes should be retained by the Franciscans, and which should be at his disposal.

However, since Buconjić was a Franciscan himself, Vannutelli considered that it would be impossible to bring a new solution and that the Herzegovinian Custos should be informed that the Rome does not want to make any new decrees since there is a harmony between the bishop and the monks.

[48] Lupori advised Friar Nikola Šimović to explain the Franciscans' position on the matter to the Nuncio in Vienna and to try to get a confirmation for their proposal.

Custos Rafael Radoš was supposed to join Buconjić in Rome, however, he died in March 1899, so Begić wrote to the General of the Order in April to represent the Franciscan Province in Herzegovina.

[51] Finally, on 17 July 1899 Pope Leo XIII confirmed the Decisia, by which 14 parishes were designated to the diocesan clergy, while others were left to the Franciscans.

[citation needed] He asked the Pope for permission to trust certain dioceses to the Franciscans, as he lacked the diocesan priests.

The diocese has not determined the apparitions to be either valid or invalid, but since 2019 Pope Francis has approved the town as a site of pilgrimages.