ILOK EVANGELICAL CHURCH ILOK, Nov 3 (Hina) - Julius Filo, Slovakia's chief bishop and vice-president of the Lutheran World Federation, on Sunday said Mass at the Evangelical church in the eastern town of Ilok on the occasion of the
opening of a new parish office.
ILOK, Nov 3 (Hina) - Julius Filo, Slovakia's chief bishop and vice-
president of the Lutheran World Federation, on Sunday said Mass at
the Evangelical church in the eastern town of Ilok on the occasion
of the opening of a new parish office. #L#
Stressing the importance of ecumenical activity for the future of
all peoples, Filo expressed satisfaction with the fact that the
town, which he said had seen difficult days and suffering, was
returning to life.
The ceremony was attended by representatives of the Evangelical
Church from Croatia, Norway, Slovakia and Serbia.
Around 1,100 Slovaks live in Ilok and they are all Lutherans, Ilok
priest Dusan Sajak said, adding that the Evangelical Church had
been present in the town for 170 years.
Vukovar-Srijem County prefect Nikola Safer said that today's event
was very important for all Slovaks-Lutherans and that it was proof
that different religious communities could and should cooperate.
Attending the ceremony at the church were also representatives of
other religious communities, municipal and county authorities.
The head of the Ilok museum, Mato Bartolovic, presented a book by
Andrej Kuric, "Slovaks in Ilok", the first such publication. The
book was printed in Slovak and Croatian.
(hina) rml