Zagreb, (IKA) – From the national pilgrimage by Croatian priests to Zagreb on April 15, a letter was sent to Pope Benedict XVI with expressions of devotion, support and humble prayer. In this letter, which was signed by the president of the Croatian Conference of Bishops, Archbishop Marin Srakić of Đakovo-Osijek, and Archbishop Cardinal Josip Bozanić of Zagreb, it is emphasized that from this unique pilgrimage, unprecedented in Croatian history, the priests wished to express their gratitude for the gift of the priesthood, proclaim their fellowship and pray for the intercession of the Blessed Alojzije Stepinac, through whose faithfulness to God, the Catholic Church and the Successor of Peter, the Spirit of God was manifested through miraculous works and the Church among the Croatian nation was endowed with abundant graces, bequeathing a precious model of priestly life. The bishops expressed support to the Holy Father, saying that “from the past decades of the persecution of the Church in our Homeland, we are well acquainted with the various ways in which the pastors of the Church have been attacked and the desire to introduce unrest and anxiety among the faithful.” The bishops emphasize that the new attempts are merely different forms of these tendencies. “Precisely for this reason, aware of the importance of Church unity and stability, at this moment we, the pastors of the Church in Croatia, together with all our faithful, convey to you our filial devotion, prayerful closeness and priestly fellowship during your exposure to attacks, trials that attack Christ’s mystical body, raising our offerings to God for you and for your invaluable service in the Church,” states the letter from the Croatian pastors.