BOSNIAN CARDINAL PULJIC SAYS MASS IN OVERCROWDED ZAGREB CATHEDRAL

ZAGREB, Jan 23 (Hina) - The Archbishop of the "Vrhbosna" Archdiocese (the Sarajevo Archbishop), Cardinal Vinko Puljic, together with the Zagreb Archbishop, Cardinal Franjo Kuharic, this evening said a solemn mass in the overcrowded Zagreb Cathedral for the Roman Catholic believers-refugees from Bosnia-Herzegovina. The Apostolic Nuncio in Croatia, Msgr. Giulio Einaudi, also participated in the ceremonial liturgy. Addressing the gathered communion who came to say prayers for fair peace in Bosnia and Croatia, Cardinal Kuharic welcomed Cardinal Puljic in a heartfelt manner. "I welcome You as the cardinal and archbishop of the city besieged for more than 1,000 days, suffering from hunger and cold facing the insecure fate and being exposed to continuing threats for its survival," Cardinal Kuharic said. He wondered how it was possible that Europe was just looking at the long suffering of Sarajevo. Thanking to everyone who helped Cardinal Puljic asked whether it was really impossible to prevent the aggressors from abusing their victims. "We are aware that we are the guinea pigs for political games, that all human rights have been violated, and the human lives have a minor value... We wonder where the civilization of this century is heading for," Cardinal Puljic said adding that the Holy Father, John Paul II, was among those the rare few who stood by the Croatian Roman Catholic believers. (hina) jn sd mms 232150 MET jan 95