PARLIAMENTARY WORK OF CATHOLIC PRIESTS IN THE SECOND HALF OF THE NINETEENTH CENTURY – EXAMPLE OF STJEPAN VUKOVI？ (1813 – 1871)

Sa？etak Participation of Catholic clergy in the work of the Croatian Parliament during the second half of the nineteenth century was quite common and prescribed by contemporary electoral laws. Even during the feudal times clergy had its position within the Croatian Parliament. After the abolishment of feudalism, beside priests and prelates who directly became members of the Parliament as according to their clerical dignity, there were some clerics who came to the Parliament through elections, and Stjepan Vukovi？ was one of these. On the basis of the unpublished archival sources (Yearbook of Parish of St. Mary Magdalene from Ivanec, Croatian State Archives), published archival sources (Parliament records), periodicals and relevant literature author of this article describes biographical path of Stjepan Vukovi？, who was Catholic parish priest in Ivanec, Zagreb canon, member of the Parliament and member of several distinguished economic and cultural institutions. Detail analysis of Vukovi？’s parliamentary speeches reveals more about his personal and political interests, especially regarding his attitude towards Hungary and modernization (foundation of the university, law about elementary schools, and resolving some of the social and economic problems left behind from feudal times). Namely, the analysis has shown that Vukovi？ was persistent in his political opinions, loyal to the Unionist Party and diligent regarding promotion of the Catholic Church interests, which could be expected because of his clerical background