Moral Epistle

The cardinal told reporters after the meeting with Patriarch Pavle on Monday that his visit had "opened a new era of relationships between the Roman Catholic Church and the Serbian Orthodox Church."

The visit followed a statement by the Vatican secretary of state, cardinal Angel Sodano, on April 7 that the Holy See had asked the United Nations to reconsider the trade embargo against Yugoslavia. He said the "measures are endangering the lives of civilian population of Serbia and Montenegro."

The Vatican's "ordinary appeal for humanity," received as sensational in Rome, was long expected in Yugoslavia. If Yugoslav officials were waiting to see a gesture of good will from the Vatican (in the context of fulfilling the conditions for the Pope's visit to Belgrade), this "moral epistle" certainly served its purpose. On the other hand, the Holy See's further moves will show how much the Pope really cares for peace in the former Yugoslavia and whether we'll see him in person this autumn.

That same day despite strong disbelief among the gentlemen from UNPROFOR Patriarch Pavle managed to enter Croatia and make his way to Pakrac(Western Slavonia, Pink Zone). He was quite surprised when, on returning to Belgrade, he received a letter from Serb Krajina President Milan Martic, saying he had invited Pope John Paul II to come to Jasenovac (concentration camp founded in 1941 by Croatian Ustashi government) on April 24.

Martic's joke and it must have been meant as a joke, given the fact that the Pope's schedule is tightly planned for months in advanceis very inapproriate, to say the least. The gentlemen from Knin, if they are orthodox Christians as they claim they are, must know that their invitation (made without the knowledge of the Serbian Orthodox ChurchSPC) is offensive.

The Vatican on its part is treating the issue of Jasenovac with piety. Or as Archbishop of Belgrade Perko puts it, the Popeif he ever comes here--would certainly go to Jasenovac to pay reverence to the victims and pray that the suffering in that camp "never repeat itself anywhere in the world."

Churches, including the Catholic, have outlived many earthly wonders, no matter how long they may have lasted. So while many states kept reducing the level of their diplomatic missions in Belgrade, nothing changed in the Vatican's embassy to the FRY. Ambassador Pronuncio Gabriel Montalvo maintained contacts with the Yugoslav side, at the same level as before. Columbian-born Monsignor Montalvothe veteran among the diplomatic corps in Belgradehas the epithet of an experienced and skillful diplomat. He was the one to end a 100yearold dispute between Latin American states over the border on Parana river.

Svetlana Djuric