Recalling the liberation of Petrinja on 6 August 1995 when Croatian troop retook the area from Serb rebels who were supported by the Yugoslav People's Army (JNA) in their insurgency in early 1990s, the dignitary responded to a comment by a local Serb leader that "the Croatians celebrate and the Serbs grieve" on commemorations of the anniversary of the liberating Operation Storm.
"It is not true, given that many Serbs as well as Hungarians, Italians, Roma and Czechs just as many homeland-loving people celebrate Croatia's victory and Operation Storm. Unfortunately, those who have sided with the injustice, grieve, including some Croatians, too" the bishop said in his sermon.
Emphasising the importance of freedom for every man, Bishop Kosic said it was not true that the Communism had launched the struggle for freedom which the Homeland Defence War completed.
"It should be said that the (five-pointed) Red Star is a symbol of lack of freedom and of the biggest evil that has befallen our people. Those who wore the five-pointed star killed people who were defending Petrinja and tore down an old church dedicated to St. Lawrence, which used to be on this place," the bishop said adding that it was necessary to clearly condemn that evil once for ever in order to ensure peace and progress in Croatia.
During today's festivities, the local meat-processing company "Gavrilovic" organised the preparation of a 320-metre-long sandwich which was shared out to residents and guests at the festivities.