Cardinal Stepinac Gets Memorial Plaque Just Below Triglav
A memorial plaque, dedicated to the Cardinal and Archbishop of Zagreb Alojzije Stepinac at the 70th anniversary of his ascent to Mt. Triglav (2864m), was unveiled on Saturday at Kredarica, some 300 metres below Slovenia's highest peak.
The event also included a mass in the chapel of Mary of the Snows nearby the Kredarica mountain hostel.
The mass was celebrated by Anton Stres, Celje bishop and the president of the Justice and Peace Commission at the Slovenian Bishops' Conference, and Zagreb Auxiliary Bishop Vlado Kosic, according to the Croatian press agency Hina.
During the mass Stres discussed the issues between Slovenia and Croatia, saying that they can be solved. He stressed that solving them is a moral obligation of Slovenian and Croatian politicians, Hina says.
Stres also pointed to the role of Stepinac and his efforts to aid Slovenian catholic priests who were exiled to Croatia in 1941.
The Celje bishop believes that this made Stepinac one of the biggest benefactors of the Slovenian nation and the country's catholic church, Hina added.
The announcement that a plaque is to be placed on Kredarica triggered a strong response by the opposition National Party (SNS) and Liberal Democracy (LDS).
Stepinac (1898 - 1960) became the Archbishop of Zagreb in 1937. He was made cardinal in 1952 and was beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1998. He is the only prelate who has climbed Triglav so far.
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