PRESS RELEASE FROM 17TH PLENARY SESSION OF CRO BISHOPS

( Editorial: --> 9007 ) SIBENIK, Oct 16 (Hina/IKA) - The main topics of the 17th Plenary Sitting of the Croatian Bishops' Conference (HBK) held between October 12 and 14 in Sibenik were to discuss Pope John Paul II' messages left to the Church amongst Croats during his second pastoral visit to Croatia, as well as the context and the implementation of recently signed contract between Croatia and the Holy See on economic issues, The HBK public relations office reported on Friday. The bishops agreed that the Pope's visit to Croatia can be described as a being gracious. With the beatification of Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac, the Holy Father pointed out new dimensions of thinking towards the history of the Croatian nation which is marked with martyrs, strong faith and living together with other nations and religions. At the sitting, the bishops asked that the Pope's messages to be intensively studied, therefore it was decided that the Pope's speeches be published in a large edition which could be sold for a minimal price. The HBK council's are obliged to start formulating a long-tern pastoral plan, based on Holy Father's messages, with the aim of directing the Catholic Church in Croatia in line with Holy Father's suggestions. The arrangements of study meetings, spiritual exercises and peoples mission, among other things, were suggested as forums where the Holy Father's messages could be interpreted in depth. HBK President, Zagreb's Archbishop Josip Bozanic stressed the meaning of certain guide lines of the recently signed agreement between Croatia and the Holy See on economic issues, by which many economic issues between the Catholic Church and Croatia are to be at least partially solved. The status of the Croatian Caritas as a HBK's pastoral institution was also confirmed at the session. The HBK decided to call on the Congregation for Divine Worship that February 10 be marked for the liturgy celebration in honour of blessed Alojzije Stepinac. (hina) it/sp 161831 MET oct 98