ARCHBISHOP BOZANIC ADDRESSES CROATIAN CITIZENS

ZAGREB, Dec 20 (Hina) - The Archbishop of Zagreb Monsignor Josip Bozanic on Monday addressed the citizens of Croatia, wishing "a merry Christmas and peaceful year of the Great Jubilee 2000". In his Christmas message Bozanic said the year 200 was "an event fulfilling us with joy and peace. It is an event which surpasses time and space." "Glory to God and peace to people -- these are Christmas messages ... Reconciliation and peace bestowed upon us by Christ the Lord establish harmony between man and God, man and man and man and the world..." Bozanic said, citing the words of Pope John Paul II saying that a jubilee is a time of special mercy. "Martyrdom is the oldest Church sign which is always current. We must not forget the testimonies of martyrs. They foresaw the Gospel sacrificing their lives out of love. The century which is at its exit had numerous martyrs, particularly due to nazism, communism and racial and tribal conflicts. Our martyr, the beatified Alojzije Stepinac, is an excellent sign for our jubilee pilgrimage in the Holy Year," Bozanic said. Stressing that his Christmas messages were directed to everyone so we could live Christ's gifts in the New Year: joy and peace. He stressed his thoughts primarily were forwarded to children, that he thought about our youth with pastoral love, the elderly, the sick and all those suffering. Bozanic added he could not forget the people who worked. "I call on all, especially those responsible, to work to the aim that in the year 200, all workers receive regular and earned awards for their work. Let the jubilee year awaken a sense of responsibility and solidarity with all those looking for jobs, especially the young," Monsignor said in the message. He added that he was directing his prayers to God for him to bestow upon the entire Croatian people Christ's gifts of reconciliation and forgiveness. "I pray for the true progress of internal reconciliation in our Croatian society," Bozanic said. (hina) lml mm