BOSNIAN BISHOPS FORWARD LETTER OF THANKS TO POPE

( Editorial: --> 4673 ) SARAJEVO, Apr 4 (Hina) - Bosnia-Herzegovina bishops Saturday forwarded a letter of thanks to the Holy Father on the occasion of the first anniversary of the Pope's visit to Bosnia on April 12 and 13. The letter was signed by Bosnian Bishops Conference president Sarajevo archbishop Vinko Puljic. There were 380,000 Catholics in Bosnia before the war, but their number had decreased by half, the letter says. The bishops emphasise they are hurt to see international agreements unrealised. "(...) we have the impression that certain political circles would like to maintain the status quo and have other Catholics finally leave the country as well. We refuse to either conceive or support such a plan". The bishops believe the Pope will do everything for the Catholic Church not only to survive in Bosnia, but will also help return all Catholics who were forced to leave the country. The Catholic bishops said in the letter they were aware of the Pope's wish that relations among Christians and with members of other religions be not severed, and to that effect assured the Holy Father that together with their priests and the faithful, they would support and promote ecumenism and religious dialogue. (hina) ha 042035 MET apr 98