May 29

A native of Šibenik, Antun Vrančić was educated in Italy and became a leading humanist scholar. He entered the service of the Habsburg monarchy and conducted key diplomatic missions to European courts on behalf of Emperor Ferdinand I. Appointed Bishop of Pécs and later Archbishop of Esztergom, he advocated for moderate reforms within the Catholic Church. Vrančić played a vital role in negotiating peace treaties following the Ottoman wars in Hungary. His writings, including memoirs and collections of letters, provide valuable insights into the political and cultural life of his era. He was elevated to cardinal in 1573 but died shortly thereafter.

Steven Croft has served the Church of England as a bishop in multiple dioceses and is known for his theological scholarship. He has written extensively on Christian spirituality, pastoral care, and church leadership. After ordination, he held parish and academic roles before being appointed Bishop of Stockport and later Bishop of Sheffield. In 2016, he became the Bishop of Oxford, leading one of the Church’s historic dioceses. Croft is respected for bridging academic theology with practical ministry and for his commitment to community engagement.