FAITHFUL SAY THEY ARE EXCITED ABOUT STEPINAC'S BEATIFICATION

( Editorial: --> 5345 ) MARIJA BISTRICA, Oct 3 (Hina) - The joy and pride for belonging to the Croatian people and the Catholic Church are in the hearts of the faithful who on Saturday attended mass in Marija Bistrica, a shrine in northern Croatia, where Pope John Paul II beatified late Croatian Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac. Fascinating, the Pope's second visit is a great event for Croatia and its people, said Vinko, Miro, Ljubo, Mladen and Senka of the Fourth Split brigade. They are happy for the beatification, even though they believe that it should have taken place sooner, after the fall of Communism. It is a historic event for all Croatians, said Zdenka, a nurse from Zadar, who arrived in Marija Bistrica with her parishoners. Part of her family will go to meet the Pope tomorrow, in Split. I have no words, this is an event which cannot be repeated, said nun Marija. The Pope's second visit is a sign of his love for the Church and Croatia, it has fortified our faith, she said. Former parliament member Jozo Topic, from Sibenik, recalled that up to some ten years ago Stepinac hardly ever received positive mention in the public. The beatification is a great event for the Church in Croatia and the Croatian state, it is the answer to the unjust accusations levelled at the Croatian people, he said. Borna, a second grade pupil from a Zagreb elementary school, was also present in Marija Bistrica. He would come in the past too, with his parents, but today is special. He studied about Stepinac during religion class. Borna's father said the Pope's second visit in only four years was proof that John Paul II, the primate of the Catholic Church, loves, as he himself said, the dear Croatia and its people. (hina) ha jn 031605 MET oct 98