CRO CATHOLIC CHURCH PRIMATE CELEBRATES MASS FOR STEPINAC

( Editorial: --> 0956 ) ZAGREB, Feb 11 (Hina) - The Primate of the Catholic Church in Croatia, archbishop of Zagreb Josip Bozanic, on Tuesday evening celebrated mass at the Zagreb cathedral in honour of the 38th anniversary of the death of cardinal Alojzije Stepinac. Stepinac was tried for "treason" by Communist authorities in a rigged 1946 political trial. He spent the following 14 years until his death in prison and confinement. The Tuesday mass was attended by several hundred priests and monks, as well as cardinal Franjo Kuharic, papal nuncio Giulio Einaudi, and several Croatian bishops and archbishops. "The person of cardinal Alojzije Stepinac remains testimony to a period in history", said archbishop Bozanic. "He is the rampart of our faithfulness to God and the Catholic Church, with the Holy Father at the head. He is the model of and encouragement for (true patriotism), the inspiration for proper love to one's people and for consistent respect of every person's dignity", the archbishop of Zagreb said. He concluded by saying the faithful were awaiting the day when Stepinac's saintliness will be confirmed. (hina) ha jn 111145 MET feb 98