Novo Mesto, April 20, 1999 (IKA) – The president of the Croatian Conference of Bishops, Archbishop Josip Bozanić of Zagreb, and the president of the Slovenian Conference of Bishops, Archbishop Franc Rode of Ljubljana, met on April 20 for a friendly working meeting in Novo Mesto. According to the joint public statement issued afterwards, the meeting was held to deepen the spiritual bonds and cooperation between the Church among the Croats and the Church among the Slovenes, as well as friendship between the Croatian and Slovenian peoples. “There are many events that confirm the spiritual bond and cooperation between both the provincial Churches: geographical proximity, that facilitates the exchange of spiritual gifts; the long and peaceful coexistence of both peoples throughout history; a common Christian culture and its fundamental values; and most of all communion in the Catholic Church and faithfulness to the Successor of Peter.
“The presidents of the two conferences of bishops support the efforts by the officials of the Croatian and Slovenian governments to resolve mutual questions and support prompt solutions in the spirit of righteousness and mutual respect. These are also the expectations and demands of the Croatian and Slovenian peoples. The archbishops also urge assistance to Kosovar refugees and express full moral support for the initiatives by Caritas, that is striving to alleviate the suffering of the most needy in the afflicted areas. On this occasion, Archbishop Bozanić and Archbishop Rode urge all the faithful to respond generously to the appeal from this international Catholic volunteer organization [Caritas],” declared the joint statement issued following the meeting between the archbishops of Zagreb and Ljubljana.