Evening star., 1951-12-06
Stepinae Insistent
Title Of Archbishop
Still Belongs 10 Him
BY the Associated Press

SlN belongs 10 him
BY the Associated Press
KRASIC. Yugoslavia, Dec. g.
Archbishop Alojzijc Stepinac
grimly asserted his right to the
title Of archbishop today and as
serted his release from prison
changed his situation "only
slightly"
The Roman Catholic primate OF
,Yugoslavia revealed that condi-
'tions Of his release by Premier
Marshal Tito's government in
rluded a ban on his performing
the duties of an archbishop and
confined him to this little Croa-
tian village where he was born.
But in an interview, Msgr
Stepinac firmly declared today:
II am the legitimate archbishop
and I am not a former arch
bishop. If the Pope wants it,
am ready to quit my archbishop
ric, but will never give it up to
government pressure.
Exception Taken at Vatican.
un Rome. Vatican circles took
quick exception to the condi-
tons Of the prelate's release and
declared mo civil authority"
could oust him from his place
as spiritual head of Yugoslav
Catholicism.)
The archbishop said he had
not asked for the conditional re-
lease from LepoglaVa prison
granted yesterday.
-, He had served five years of a
16-year sentence imposed in No
1yember. 1916. after his conviction
on charges of collaborating with
the Nazi occupiers Of his country
He denied the charge. leveled
against him two years before
,Yugoslavia broke with the Rus
slams.
- Major Issues Remain.
Msgr. Stepinac said today major
issues between the church and
Tftos Communist government are
mot yet settled"
There must be an agreement
based on honesty and the essential
conditions demanded by the Cath
,olic Church." he said
These include church marriages,
religious education in the schools
and a free Catholic press. Church
marriage must be defended to the
last breath. for it is a sacrament
established by the Good Lord and
man has no right to change it."
The 53-year-old churchman in
dicated willingness to live the rest
of his life as simple parish priest
In the church where he was bap-
tized soon after his birth to a
Croatian peasant family. The 400
year-old church dominates the
village of peasant homes and farm
buildings.
Health Appears Good
MSgr. Stepinac arose at O'Clock
this morning to celebrate mass at
the regular dawn service. He ap-
peared in excellent health.
The small church was filled with
several hundred worshippers, al
though many of the villagers had
not yet heard of his return, long
after dark last night.
After mass. the archbishop
talked with correspondents in the
vestibule of the church.
Il am personally very satisfied
because I am fulfilling my duty"
he said Il can perform my
priestly duties here just as did
in prison. CHe was allowed to
maintain a small chapel near his
CELL
II can do my duty here and I
am willing to stay here my whole
life"
The archbishop said he did not
want to discuss political questions,
but firmly declared that every one
unjustly attacked has a right to
defend himself"
Better to Pacify"
However" he added, now it is
better to pacify the situation and
not inflame passions"
Under terms of his release, the
archbishop is forbidden to issue,
pastoral letters, advising his fol-,
lowers on public or personal con-
duct, or to issue public statements.
He may leave Krasic only with the
permission of the Croatian Min
lister of Interior.
But he will be permitted to
preach sermons in church and
1t is believed he will be completely
free to receive any visitors.
There was no effort to stop cor
respondents from visiting the viii
lage today and no policemen were
stationed at the church or parish
house.
1t was understood the Office of
the Yugoslav archb;shopric, now
temporarily occupied by the act
ing archbishop. DR.. Sales SAWS,
would pay the living expenses of
Mgsr. Stepinac.
When he arrived in Krasic last
night. the regular parish priest,
Josip Vranekovic, hastily prepared
a room for him in the five-room
parish house. already occupied by
five nuns of the only Croatian
Catholic order, Servants of the
Little Jesus.
The prelate has four married
sisters living in the parish, but
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