CHRISTMAS MESSAGE BY ARCHBISHOP OF ZAGREB

ZAGREB, Dec 24 (Hina) - Archbishop of Zagreb Cardinal Franjo Kuharic forwarded a Christmas message and congratulations to every human person, all families, the entire church and the people. Among other things Cardinal Kuharic says: "Darkness has covered the earth and the people! This is true for our parts where war was imposed with all its horrible effects. The destroyed homes, families evicted from so many parts of Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina. Hundreds of parishes no longer exist, and their bells will not toll on Christmas Eve. The wounds of the casualties hurt, the displaced persons and refugees are suffering from anguish and longing for their deserted homes and the imprisoned are hoping to reach freedom. We congratulate the brave carriers of the humanitarian aid to Nova Bila. We protest against the inhuman attacks at that convoy and we pray for God's consolation to the families mourning those killed both in Bosnia and in Algiers. The powerful of this world talk a lot but to little or no help for those in trouble. Fear creeps into the souls that the right of the stronger will finally be recognized and that the property taken from the weaker at their expense will be only confirmed. I am informing the Croatian general public that Holy Father John Paul II has called the entire Catholic church in the world and all people of good will to pray for peace in our parts, i.e. in Croatia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, on Sunday January 23 and proclaimed a general fast for peace on Friday January 21. We join the prayer and fasting," Cardinal Kuharic says, among other things, in his Christmas message. 241906 MET dec 93