Zagreb, September 30, 1998 (IKA) – In anticipation of the second visit by Pope John Paul II. to Croatia, the president of the Croatian Conference of Bishops, Archbishop Josip Bozanić of Zagreb, issued a statement to the press in which he explained the significance of this visit to the Croatian nation and the Church among the Croats. The archbishop pointed out that much has changed since the Pope#!s previous visit because the time of his first visit was “a time when Croatia was experiencing the force of hatred and estruction, death and evil. The Pope, as an Angel of Peace, strengthened the brothers and sisters in faith in order for them to be able to forgive, ask forgiveness and offer reconciliation.” The second visit by the Pope commemorates two martyrs, St. Domnius [sv. Dujam], a martyr from early Christian times, and Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac, a martyr of the modern age, emphasized Archbishop Josip Bozanić, stating: “There are exceptional people and moments when history moves forward owing to their efforts. Generations after us will study the particular roles of the servant of God Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac and Pope John Paul II. Together, the second visit by the Holy Father to Croatia and the beatification of Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac create a magnificent and mysterious uniqueness, the epochal significance of which will not be diminished by centuries. Could we have better preparation for entry into the third millennium of Christianity? “We are witnesses to powerful divine intervention in our painful history,” testified the archbishop of Zagreb, noting that Croatia is once again invited to commemorate its Christian roots, “all its martyred history and through the examples of its most excellent sons and daughters, to seek inspiration for the march into the future. The Catholic Church in Croatia, that confronted communist persecution followed by war, today finds itself facing new challenges. The troubles that have overcast our country are well known to us. In the first place, it is necessary for lost moral values to be revived. It is necessary to rediscover and intensify the sense of solidarity that accompanied the difficult war period. Inner moral strength is needed as the foundation for courageous choices.”Today is a new beginning. The new voice of Croatia testifies that the Republic, nation and society have become sovereign. This is an expression of joy because of rediscovered freedom. Croatia is preparing for the Pope#!s messages that are aimed at the heart of the individual and the social systems, because without God only the remnants of human morals remain. Today it is necessary to renew faith, to renew hope and to renew love. The visit by John Paul II and the beatification of Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac provide an excellent opportunity to open a new page in the history of theCatholic Church in Croatia and the entire Croatian nation. With the renewal of the joy of the faithful, we want to give ourselves in the service of the citizens of our country, to be the #!Church that serves#! as was the most excellent figure of the Church of God in Croatia, Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac, a witness and martyr of our days. His love of God, his faithfulness to the Church and his devoted service to the people entrusted to him shows us the path to the future. “All of this is occurring at the historical moment during preparations for the Great Jubilee, in the year of the Holy Spirit. This is a descent of the Spirit bearing spiritual signs: unexpectedness, joy, an appeal for conversion and a new life through the Spirit. The first message is to prepare yourself, get started, leave everything and follow the signs! The signs are John Paul II and the newly beatified Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac. They lead us toward the Lord who traverses Croatia,” emphasized the president of the Croatian Conference of Bishops, Archbishop Josip Bozanic of Zagreb, in his message prior to the Pope#!s visit to Croatia.