MONUMENT UNVEILED DURING 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF STEPINAC'S BIRTH

( Editorial: --> 2494 ) KRASIC, May 8 (Hina) - A holy mass and the unveiling of a monument to Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac marked the 100th anniversary of his birth. A numerous state delegation was lead by Croatian Parliamentary Speaker Vlatko Pavletic, Prime Minister Zlatko Matesa and Deputy Prime Minister and State Commission for Relations with Religious Communities chairman Jure Radic. The mass was lead by Zagreb Archbishop Josip Bozanic, retired archbishop Franjo Kuharic and Papal Nuncio Giulio Einaudi. Cardinal Kuharic delivered the sermon. "He was a man of God, a morally undeviating Christian patriot, a protector of the deprived and an advocate of rights and justice for all, who followed the teachings of Christ and fearlessly defended Catholic truths at exceptionally difficult, godless times," said Kuharic. At the beginning of the service Archbishop Bozanic announced the Holy See's decision that Pope John Paul II would visit the Croatian shrine of Marija Bistrica on October 3 to beatify the late Cardinal Stepinac. After the mass Kuharic and Bozanic together unveiled Stepinac's monument. A 3.5m tall bronze statue, set in the centre of Krasic, in front of the Parish Church of the Holy Trinity, was created by sculptor Josip Poljan. The gathered people were greeted in the name of Croatian President Franjo Tudjman by the Croatian National Parliament Speaker Vlatko Pavletic. "Besides testifying to the Holy See about the loyalty and faith of Croatian people, Stepinac was at the same time among the first to embrace the social teachings of the church, i.e. the right of every man to the dignity of life, work and existence," said Pavletic. Among numerous bishops from Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, the anniversary was also attended by about 10,000 pilgrims. (Hina) as jfk /mb 081757 MET may 98