CATHOLIC & ORTHODOX CHURCH LEADERS MEET IN ZAGREB

( Editorial: --> 5373 ) ZAGREB, April 8 (Hina) - The head of the Catholic church in Croatia, Zagreb Archbishop Msgr. Josip Bozanic on Tuesday met with Metropolitan Jovan, head of the Serb Orthodox church for Croatia, Slovenia and Italy. Metropolitan Jovan informed the Zagreb Archbishop about the work of the newly-founded Ecumenical Committee for Humanitarian Help to Ethnic Minorities in Croatia. The head of the Serb Orthodox church asked for help in "the project of reconciliation, rapprochement and overcoming the tragic consequences of the war". Expressing satisfaction with the meeting which took place ahead of Easter, Msgr Bozanic said this was "primarily a religious meeting, a meeting between religious leaders who work in the same filed". "All of us find strong foundations for unity in the Gospel and we all see the Gospel as our programme and we would like to promote peace, forgiveness and human beings in this region on the basis of the Gospel," said Bozanic. The two religious leaders also discussed the return of priests and refugees and the reconstruction of sacral and cultural buildings of Croatia's cultural heritage. (hina) jn rm 081136 MET apr 98