APOSTOLIC NUNCIO TO CROATIA SAYS EASTER MASS IN ZADAR CATHEDRAL

ZADAR, Apr 3 (Hina) - The Apostolic Nuncio to Croatia, Msgr. Giulio Einaudi, celebrated the Easter Mass in the Cathedral in the town of Zadar (southern Croatia) this morning, accompanied by the Archbishop of the Zadar Diocese, Marijan Oblak. At the beginning of the mass Archbishop Oblak expressed gratitude to Nuncio Einaudi for his several-day visit to the Zadar Diocese. He also expressed thanks to the Holy Father, John Paul II and Vatican for their support to Croatia during the war times. Archbishop Oblak addressed Nuncio saying "Those devastated villages and destroyed churches you have seen during your visit to our Diocese are the sign of suffering of our people. Many of those who are now in the cathedral attending the mess are still bearing fresh wounds inflicted by the war, since they have lost everything. But we believe in God's victory, because God's victory is goodness, love and peace," stressed the Croatian Archbishop. Rendering his Easter sermon in the Croatian language at today's Easter Mass in the Zadar Cathedral Nuncio Einaudi said that during his visit to the Zadar diocese he could see how much the Church in that part of Croatia had suffered and still suffering due to the war. He expressed his deep sympathy for those who suffered adding that he also admired them for their faith by which they "withstand the evil forces". He said that he would inform the Holy Father of the Zadar citizens' endeavours at keeping churches and all that is of the highest value for the Christian believers. 031327 MET apr 94