The President of the Croatian Parliament, Gordan Jandroković, said on Thursday that Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac deserved to be declared a saint and hopes that this will be done in the pontificate of the new pope.
"Croatian believers, Croatian clergy, and I believe all Croats want that moment to happen when, after being declared blessed, Alojzije Stepinac is also declared a saint. In our opinion, he deserved it because of his firm and strong faith. But that decision is up to the church bodies and we can only hope that the new pope will do it," Jandroković said in a statement to the media ahead of the ceremonial session of the municipal council in Krašić.
Before that, on the occasion of the 127th anniversary of the birth of Alojzije Stepinac and the Day of the Krašić Municipality, the President of the Parliament laid a wreath in front of the monument to the cardinal and then visited his memorial home.
"Cardinal Stepinac was a symbol of willingness to sacrifice for his own faith and ideals. He could have made a deal with the communist authorities, but he did not want to, he did not want to give up his beliefs or the Catholic faith," he said.
As the Vatican conclave continues to elect the successor to Pope Francis, Jandroković adds that it would be symbolic if he were elected today. "If it doesn't happen today, I believe it will happen in the next few days."
Minister of Labor and Social Policy Marin Piletić pointed out that Cardinal Stepinac can serve as a role model for many today.
"His life path and fight against pessimism should be a message to all of us today," the minister said.
Photo: HINA/Damir Senčar
