MSGR LACKOVIC: THERE WAS NO GOLD IN CHURCH'S HANDS

( Editorial: --> 9183 ) ZAGREB, June 5 (Hina) - Msgr Stjepan Lackovic, secretary to the Zagreb Archbishop Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac from 1941 to 1945, on Friday told Hina that Ustasha gold had never been in the church's hands or institutions. The US Government recently published a report on Nazi gold, which contains references to the Croatian Papal College of St. Girolamo. The report alleged that the College was the reported centre of an extensive and effective underground that assisted Ustasha fugitives to flee from Europe to South America and collaborated in running a "rat line" for defectors from the Soviet Zone. According to the report, there are indications that gold from the Ustasha treasury may have been used to finance post-war underground activities at St. Girolamo's, the prime mover of which was allegedly priest Krunoslav Draganovic, secretary of the College. "The church has nothing with it," Msgr Lackovic said adding it was an "honour and grace" for him to serve God's servant Alojzije Stepinac in most difficult times. The story about the alleged connection between St. Girolamo's and the gold was started "by those who want to twist facts", Lackovic said adding that as a US citizen he could not understand that after 52 years these issues were still being quarrelled. Msgr Lackovic, who in 1945 travelled to Rome with the Papal Legate Ratimir Marconi, was stripped of his visa by the Yugoslav authorities and could not return to Croatia. Lackovic said he stayed at St. Girolamo's until August 1946, after which he left for the United States. "During my stay at St. Girolamo's I never heard anything about that gold," Lackovic said. This is the first time after World War II that Msgr Lackovic is visiting Croatia to participate in preparations for the Pope's visit to Croatia and the beatification of Cardinal Stepinac. (hina) rml/bag 051614 MET jun 98