MSGR DENIES REPORTS OF TUDJMAN'S BREACH OF EUCHARIST PROTOCOL

( Editorial: --> 6067 ) ZAGREB, Oct 5 (Hina) - The postulator of the cause for the beatification of Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac, Msgr Juraj Batelja, on Monday refuted reports which appeared in some Croatian media stating that Croatian President Franjo Tudjman had violated protocol at last weekend's Eucharist celebration in Marija Bistrica. The reports stated that President Tudjman, past protocol and of his own will, had approached the Pope to greet him during the beatification of Stepinac. According to the postulator, a priest from Pope John Paul II's official escort approached Batelja, who was awaiting an official audience with the Holy Father together with a dozen associates who had assisted in the beatification. The official asked Batelja to request President Tudjman to approach the altar because the Pope wished to personally greet him at that moment, Batelja told Croatian Television. He believed the Holy Father was induced to make the request by the faithful's enthusiastic response during the Mass, the Mass and beatification itself, and their endorsement of the beatification. (hina) ha 052333 MET oct 98