Požega, (IKA) – On February 10, in commemoration of the Feast of the Blessed Alojzije Stepinac, one of the patrons of the Požega Diocese, a Mass was celebrated by the archbishop of Maribor and president of the Slovenian Conference of Bishops, Dr. Franc Kramberger, in the Požega Church of St. Lawrence. In the introductory part of the celebration, the archbishop and all those present were greeted by the bishop of Požega, Bishop Antun Škvorčević, who recalled that it had been 47 years since the death of the Blessed Alojzije Stepinac and 65 years since Archbishop Stepinac of Zagreb had welcomed refugee priests from the Maribor Diocese, 132 of whom found lodgings in the Požega convictorium (boarding school). “While we rejoice that the Catholic Church in Croatia, particularly with its service here in Požega, was able to work under the difficult wartime circumstances for the dignity and freedom of your persecuted priests, we express our sorrow due to the sad fact that the Independent State of Croatia, which had given refuge to these priests and provided their food, killed seven of them in the Jasenovac camp 65 years ago. We sincerely and profoundly mourn these priests and other innocent victims of the evil system of that time and commend them to the mercy of God,” emphasized the bishop of Požega.
During introductory remarks, the archbishop of Maribor said that with this celebration he wanted to reaffirm the historical bond between Požega and Maribor, due to the events that occurred during the Second World War. He added that it was in this same Church of St. Lawrence that the refugee Slovenian priests celebrated Mass every day until they were gradually assigned to various parishes in the Zagreb Archdiocese, the majority actually in the parishes of the current Požega Diocese.
During the sermon, Archbishop Kramberger once again recalled the tragedy that occurred at the beginning of the Second World War to the Slovenian clergy and the Blessed Alojzije Stepinac’s great role in their protection.
“On May 12, 1941, Archbishop Stepinac wrote the pastors of his archdiocese a letter in which he announced the arrival of the refugee Slovenian priests, which, among other things, states: ‘They ask us for a piece of bread and a roof. They place at our disposal their precious priestly strength and the treasure of the gifts of the Holy Orders, which they have at their disposal by the grace of the Holy Spirit. If it applies to anyone that Jesus, in the guise of the poorest of the poor, is knocking at our doors and hearts, then it applies to them. We tend to view their arrival as a special visit from God.’ Thus, the archbishop was able to provide accommodations for over 300 Slovenian priests in the Zagreb Archdiocese, and urged other Croatian bishops to act on their behalf and that of other expelled Slovenians,” said the archbishop of Maribor, whose predecessor, Msgr. Maksimilijan Držečnik, had been one of these Slovenian refugees in Croatia.
Archbishop Kramberger recalled how Stepinac intervened with the authorities on the behalf of several Slovenian priests who were suspected of collaborating with the Partisans, and sent a letter of protest when several were killed in the Jasenovac camp. In the darkness of the war, added the archbishop, there nonetheless shone the light of the heart of the pastor of the Church, in which all the refugees, persecuted, endangered and unfortunate found refuge, regardless of their affiliations: national, religious or political.
“Archbishop Stepinac linked the Churches in Croatia and Slovenia with a profound bond, with benevolence and love, inspired by the Gospel, engagement for the person, and fidelity to Jesus Christ unto death. However, people of such responsibility and position do not remain alone. They inspire with goodness, foster unity among peoples and nations, implement the mission of the Church, spread love, strengthen hope and conquer evil. They write the brighter pages of history. Cardinal Stepinac is among such persons,” said the archbishop of Maribor.
At the end of the celebration, the bishop of Požega thanked the archbishop of Maribor and presented him with an enlarged photograph of the Slovenian priests, taken in Požega on the Feast of the Nativity of Our Lady, September 8, 1941, and a portrait of the Blessed Alojzije Stepinac.