ZAGREB ARCHBISHOP VISITS SARAJEVO

( Editorial: --> 2234 ) SARAJEVO, March 25 (Hina) - Zagreb Archbishop Msgr. Josip Bozanic on Wednesday arrived in Sarajevo for a visit to the Bosnian Archbishop's diocese. Bozanic and his hosts, Cardinal Vinko Puljic, Auxiliary Bishop Pero Sudar and the head of the Franciscan province of Bosna Srebrna, Friar Petar Andjelovic, conducted a mass marking the Annunciation in Sarajevo's Church of the Heart of Jesus. Cardinal Puljic greeted Archbishop Bozanic saying that all priests and faithful of the Bosnian diocese were happy to welcome him in Sarajevo. The visit of the Zagreb Archbishop is an expression of solidarity and unity of the Catholic Church as a whole, especially among the Croat people, Puljic said. "This is direct support for the unity and survival of the Croat people in this region as well as for their co-existence with neighbours of different religious and national backgrounds," said Puljic. Archbishop Bozanic said his visit was a sign of special support for his colleagues in the diocese. He wished for today's celebration to strengthen the unity and contribute to a safer and happier future. Bozanic stressed the appeal Pope John Paul II presented during his visit to Sarajevo in 1997, calling on the church to be a new sign of dialogue, tolerance and unity. Bozanic also visited the Bosnian diocese's Theological Faculty. Later this afternoon the Zagreb Archbishop and Cardinal Puljic gave a reception for prominent members of Bosnia's public and political life. (hina) rm/mrb 251422 MET mar 98