Zagreb, September 29, 2003 (IKA) — Following the news that Pope John Paul II will appoint Archbishop Josip Bozanić of Zagreb a cardinal at the consistory on October 21, the archbishop and president of the Croatian Conference of Bishops issued a statement to journalists that he will accept his appointment as cardinal as a sign of the Pope’s particular affinity for the Catholic Church among the Croatian nation and the Catholic Church in Croatia. He added that we especially felt the Pope’s closeness to our Church and nation on the occasion of his recent third visit to Croatia. Archbishop Bozanić said that the appointment was a sign of the Pope’s particular respect toward the Zagreb Archdiocesan Cathedra and his predecessors. “It is with particular respect and thanksgiving to God for this gift to the Church that I now think about my predecessors, especially the late Cardinal Franjo Kuharić, the late Cardinal Franjo Šeper and the Blessed Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac. They bore witness here to Christ and promoted Christ’s gospel among the entire Croatian nation. I pray to the Lord to help me do what the Pope now wants from me in this new office in the manner that God expects. I appeal to all the faithful to join me in my prayers,” said Archbishop Bozanić.