Frane Franić

He attended elementary school in his hometown of Kaštel Kambelovac from 1919 to 1923, and then the Biskupski Seminary from 1923 to 1931. He finally enrolled and completed philosophical and theological studies at the Central Lecture School in Split and was ordained priest on December 25, 1936.

In 1938 he went to Rome for postgraduate studies in dogmatic theology at the Papal University of Gregorian. In 1941 he received his doctorate in theology, defending his dissertation De iustitia originali et peccato originals secundum I. Duns Scotum.

After returning from Rome, he held various positions in Split. For many years he was professor of philosophy, Latin and religion at the Split High School of Liturgy, chaplain of the Prison of St. Roka (1941–1943), prefect at the Seminary (1942–1945), a librarian in the small seminary and director of the central theological seminary (1945–1956).

He was promoted to Assistant Bishop on December 17, 1950 and since then acted as General Vicar. In 1953 he restored the Vjesnik of Split-Makarska diocese. In 1954 he was ordained for the Split-Makarska bishop. When Pope Paul VI established the Split-Makarska archbishopric on July 27, 1969, Franić was elevated to be the resident Archbishop of the metropolis. He remained at the head of the Split-Makarska Archdiocese until his retirement, October 16, 1988.

At the beginning of the Second Vatican Council, he was a member of the Theological Standing Committee (1960–1962), and was a member of the Parliament's Doctrinal Commission (1962–1965). Upon completion of the Parliament, he was an external member of the Roman Congregation for Sacraments and Worship (1968–1973 and 1975–1980) and the Congregation for the Declaration of Saints (1975 to 1985).

As the Archbishop of Split, he summoned the fiftieth-fifth Split Synod (1986–87), and the texts of the Synod were published by the Church under the title 'Church Today and Tomorrow'.

For a short time, his secretary was Fr. Većeslav Šupuk.

He published several theological works including:

• De iustitia originali et peccato originali secundum (Rome, 1941),
• History of philosophy (Split, 1967 and 1972), the Book of Dialogue Paths (Split, 1973), their Speaking Speeches Interventus in Concilio Vaticano II (Split, 1975)
• A collection of Christmas, Lent and Easter sermons, messages and epistles, You will be witnesses to me (Split, 1996)
• The Church, the Column of Truth – Memories of My Doctrine and Activities in II. Vatican Council (Split, 1998)
• Dialogue Routes (Split, 2000, Overprint) and Dialogue Routes 2. (Zagreb 2001).

• Catholic Church in Croatia