Croatian Bishops Plan Pastoral Letter for Pope's Visit

ZAGREB, Croatia, APRIL 4, 2003 (Zenit.org).- The Croatian episcopate says that John Paul II's June 5-9 visit to the country will be centered on the topic "The Family: Way of the Church and of the People."

On Wednesday, at the end of their 26th plenary assembly, the bishops said they are preparing a pastoral letter on the meaning of the Pope's third visit to the country, an event they described as "historic and rich in grace," Vatican Radio reported.

The dioceses that the Pope will visit are busy with preparations, organizational as well as spiritual. "The time and the situation in which this trip is taking place are full of meaning," said Bishop Zelimir Puljic of Dubrovnik.

In the bishop's own diocese, John Paul II will beatify Mary of Jesus Crucified Petkovic (1892-1966), founder of the Congregation of Daughters of Mercy.

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4. april 2003