"FAMIGLIA CRISTIANA" INTERVIEW WITH CROATIAN PRIMATE MSGR. BOZANIC

( Editorial: --> 4593 ) ROME, Oct 1 (Hina) - "We have a great deal of problems concerned wiTh transition which are common in many other post-Communist countries, with the added difficulties left behind the war which ended three years ago", said Zagreb Archbishop and President of the Croatian Bishops' Conference, Msgr. Josip Bozanic in an interview with the Italian Catholic weekly "Famiglia Cristiana". "The war has left behind a great deal of hate which will require significant efforts of reconcilliation and forgiveness", said Bozanic. With regard to transition, great optimism ruled at first as the people believed the introduction of a market economy would mean prosperity. "It was forgotten though that the former system left behind a mentality of assistance and non-productivity which was not quite adaptable to new challenges. It is a fact that a great deal of the population is not doing well while a smaller group is becoming all the richer. This has caused dissatisfaction amongst many people", said Msgr. Bozanic. Asked whether his talks could be instrumentalised, Bozanic replied that reactions to his outspokeness reflected the fact that he had touched on some real issues. "The Church does not speak about politics, but of morals, morals which are found in the Gospel. We need to find justice and trapnsperancy in the use of the welfare of our country. Transperancy means that privatisation should be conducted based on objective principles and not to the benefit of those in power or who were in power", he said. With regard to Ecumanism, it is necessary for all our forces to concentrate on reconcilliation and forgiveness. "Forgiveness needs to be given and received", said Bozanic citing Pope John Paul II when he visited Croatia four years ago. Msgr. Bozanic stated that Cardinal Stepinac had been a witness of human rights which he defended without fear in the face of Facism and Communism. "He was an example of just patriotism, which defended the values and traditions of his people without incringing on the values and traditions of others", said Msgr. Bozanic. In its issue to be released on October 4, the weekly gives a wide coverage of the Pope's visit to Croatia and the beatification of Cardinal STepinac. (Hina) sp 011216 MET oct 98