Dalj, February 5, 1999 (IKA) – A meeting between Catholic and Serbian Orthodox bishops and priests was held on Thursday, February 4, in Dalj at the initiative of Catholic Bishop Marin Srakić of Đakovo-Srijem and Serbian Orthodox Bishop Lukijan. In addition to Bishop Srakić, the Catholic participants were Auxiliary Bishop Đuro Gašparović of Đakovo-Srijem; the chancellor of the Diocesan Ordinariate, Msgr. Luka Strgar; the editor of Biskupski Vjesnik [The Diocesan Herald], Msgr. Antun Jarm; Deacon Nikola Kerčov of Osijek and Deacon Josip Varžić of Baranja. The Serbian Orthodox participants were Bishop Vasilije of Srijem, Bishop Irinej of Bačka; the host, Bishop Lukijan of Osijek, Poland and Baranja; Auxiliary Bishop Ratomir Petrović, Auxiliary Bishop Srećko Leskovac of Osijek, Auxiliary Bishop Dušan Marković of Vukovar and Auxiliary Bishop Mihajlo Marjanac of Baranja. The Serbian Orthodox bishops were interested in several questions that the Catholic Church has resolved or is in the process of resolving with the Government of the Republic of Croatia. They were particularly interested in the return of confiscated Church property, health and retirement insurance for priests, the status and organization of religious instruction in elementary and high schools, the renovation of damaged or destroyed churches and other ecclesiastical property. Bishop Srakić responded in detail to all the questions. Since the Serbian Orthodox Church has not yet resolved these matters, he suggested that they should contact the authorized government agencies in an official capacity. For purposes of information, the Serbian Orthodox bishops were given texts of the contracts made between the Catholic Church and the Republic of Croatia. It was particularly noted that these contracts do not provide an ideal or optimal solution but what is feasible at present. They regulate many aspects of the relations between the Catholic Church and the State but in no way do they place the Catholic Church in a privileged position. The Serbian Orthodox bishops informed Bishop Srakić of Bishop Lukijan#!s desire to visit his faithful in the diocese of Slavonia (Pakrac) during mid March, for which purpose he will request an entry visa from the Croatian Embassy. There was also discussion about the Serbian Orthodox church built in Lovas during the war on privately owned land, which has now become unnecessary because there are no Orthodox faithful in the vicinity. Bishop Srakić stressed that this question must be resolved by the competent judicial and civil authorities. Both delegations agreed that the bishops would urge their priests to visit each other in the places where they live and work, particularly on major holy days and celebrations, which will have a positive influence upon the faithful of both Churches. The atmosphere of the three-hour meeting and discussion was open and friendly.