BISHOPS ARRIVE IN KNIN TO EXPRESS SOLIDARITY WITH POOR

KNIN, March 9 (Hina) - Four bishops of the Split Diocese, headed by Archbishop Marin Barisic, jointly celebrated Mass in the southern Croatian town of Knin on Sunday. The Bishops came to encourage the faithful to come through the social difficulties and to express solidarity with the poor. The Caritas food supply will last only a month, head of the St Anton Franciscan Monastery Petar Klaric said, advocating opening new jobs in Knin, because, according to him, this was the only way to prevent a complete humanitarian catastrophe and prevent people from leaving. Mass was celebrated by Split-Makarska Archbishop Marijan Barisic, Dubrovnik Bishop Zelimir Puljic, Hvar-Brac-Vis Bishop Slobodan Stambuk and fra Zarko Maretic. About 1,500 people gather at Mass, headed by Sibenik Bishop Ante Ivas. Knin was the stronghold of the Serb rebels during the four-year occupation. Notorious general Ratko Mladic started his career as a war criminal in this southern Croatian town. Knin was liberated in the military and police operation of "Oluja" (Storm) in the summer of 1995, however, the town never recovered from the war. (hina) it