RADIC SAYS ECONOMIC AGREEMENT WITH HOLY SEE IN PREPARATION

( Editorial: --> 7578 ) ZAGREB, July 14 (Hina) - Croatia is currently preparing an economic relations agreement with the Vatican, which will most probably be signed at the beginning of October, a government official said on Tuesday. This follows last year's signing of three contracts - on legal relations, a military ordinariate and relations between the school and the church - between Croatia and the Holy See. "Since we have harmonised the basic principles with church representatives, we will most probably sign the economic agreement with the Holy See at the beginning of October," government Commission for Relations with Religious Communities chairman Jure Radic told Hina on Tuesday. There will be no church taxes which were announced by some, Radic added. According to these principles, the Croatian state will in line with the Law on Compensation for Confiscated Property "return to the church the property which can be returned, without causing more damage", Radic said. Property that cannot be returned will be registered, its value assessed and the state will pay it off to the Catholic Church over a longer period of time. The state recognises the socially valuable work of the church on social, cultural and scientific planes and it will support that work with budgetary funds similar to those allocated to the Culture Ministry, Radic said. This financing system will also include church officials such as theology professors, teachers, etc. Radic expressed hope that the economic agreement would be signed during the forthcoming visit of the Pope John Paul II to Croatia. The second visit of the Holy Father to Croatia bears witness to the continuity of his fatherly love for the Croatian people, Radic said. "We are anticipating his visit with child-like loyalty, wishing to thank him for all he has done for Croatia, being one of the first to recognise it and give it both verbal and concrete support in its moments of suffering," Radic said. Pope John Paul II will visit Croatia on October 3 and 4. (hina) jn rml/mbr 141627 MET jul 98