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Priester-Märtyrer
Kamen Vichev (1893-1952), Pavel Djidjov (1919-1952) und Yosafat Shishkov (1884-1952)
BASED ON BULGARIAN NEWS AGENCY BTA
Pope John Paul II Says He Wishes to Pay Tribute to All Who Suffered for Their Faith During the Communist Regime
Plovdiv, May 26 (BTA) - The success of our earthly
pilgrimage depends on whether we respond to God's love, the Pope
said, serving mass in Plovdiv on Sunday. He added that the
three priests beatified by him were fully aware of this truth.
Together with a little more than 10.000 christians from Bulgaria, and groups from the neighbouring countries,
Poland, Italy and even France the Pope celebrated the Holy Mass mainly in Bulgarian.
The Pope said that beatifying the three Bulgarian Catholic
priests, he also wishes to pay tribute to all martyrs of the
Eastern Orthodox faith during the communist regime. Their strong
faith in Christ has brought together the two communities of the
Christian Church in Bulgaria, the Holy Father said.
The Pope called on the Bulgarian Church to seriously
consider the possibility of opening of a Catholic seminary in
Bulgaria to train young priests.
At the beginning of the Mass the Pope greeted (Bulgarian Orthodox) Metropolitan
ARSENIY of Plovdiv who attended the Holy Mass. He said his
presence was a sign of hope that we may some day rejoice over
full unification.
The Pope also addressed those professing the Islamic
religion who also "worship, though in a different way, the only
Almighty God".
The Pope also greeted the representatives of the state
authorities, thanking them for their contribution and said that
without this contribution his journey to Bulgaria would have
been impossible.
Turning to the Mother of God icon placed at the altar, Pope
John Paul II asked the Holy Virgin to watch over the Bulgarian
people.