100TH ANNIVERSARY OF CARDINAL STEPINAC'S BIRTH MARKED

( Editorial: --> 2404 ) KRASIC, May 8 (Hina) - The 100th anniversary of Croatian cardinal Alojzije Stepinac's birth was marked Friday beginning with a procession in his native town of Krasic. A mass will be celebrated by former archbishop of Zagreb cardinal Franjo Kuharic, who will later join the host of the celebration, Archbishop of Zagreb Josip Bozanic, in uncovering a Stepinac monument in downtown Krasic. Attending the event are numerous state dignitaries and parliament officials, including parliament president Vlatko Pavletic, who will deliver a speech, Sarajevo archbishop cardinal Vinko Puljic, Banja Luka bishop Franjo Komarica, several thousand pilgrims from all over Croatia, and the faithful from Croatian Catholic missions from Europe and the world. Cardinal Stepinac was born in Krasic May 8, 1898. He passed away February 10, 1960 in his birthplace, after being kept in detention following a rigged trial by post World War Two communist authorities. (hina) ha 081234 MET may 98