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Does any one knows how are brother Eastern Rite Catholics are doing in Croatia and Yugoslavia?? Particularly with all of the Ethnic Cleansing going on ??

[from David]

The Eastern Rite Ruthenians are in the Vojvodina Providence of Serbia. As you know Serbia is an authoritarian dictatorship. Just last week Serbia passed laws which absolutely restrict freedom of the press.

The Hungarians in Vojvodina have been protesting against being sent ot fight in Kosovo. There have also been rumblings about independence for Vojvodina. Ruthenians there have not banded together in organized protests as the Hungarians have.

You can follow for free every day news from eastern europe and Russia, etc at Radio Free Europe. rferl.org. It is the most detailed news you will find in english.

David

Glory to Jesus Christ!

I visted the Krizevci eparchy's cathedral in Zagreb a couple of years ago. A sister told me that they were experiencing a growth in Ukrainians in the city and, therefore, the Zagreb parish church.

Regards,
Christopher

Dear brother in Christ!

I am byzantine catholic seminarian from Slovakia, but I know many priests, who are working, or used to work in Yougoslavia in the Eparchy of Krizevci (which formerly was covering also Byzantine Catholics in present day Yugoslavia), and Exarchate of Serbia and Montenegro (created in 2003), which is now the only jurisdiction for our faithful there.

In general we have to say, that our people there are mostly poor (in material aspect, definitelly not in faith), and by this situation you have so much daily troubles, that you almost do not have time to waste with high politic, and if, then only discussing it, but not making revolutions.

Vojvodina is specific part of Serbia, and it is like an multiethnic colony (Our people there were transferred there by Empress Maria Theresia in 18th century). Besides multiethnicity, there are also many religions, like Lutherans, Orthodox, Roman catholics, and also Byzanitne catholics. And in many ways, there are giving nice image how to live together.

Who loves Christ with true love, cab find him in all people, created according His image and likeness.

Daniel CERNY

Does anyone know anything about the state of parishes among the Zumbercani, Greek Catholics from the mountains of Croatia and Slovenia? My father's family was originally from Drage parish there. Many of the villagers came to the U.S. and settled mostly in the Cleveland the Chicago areas.