COMMEMORATION ISSUE ALBANIAN 1985 BULETINI CATHOLIC Saint Ignatius Church KATOLIK BULLETIN University of San Francisco SHQIPTAR PUBLISHED ANNUALLY BY THE ALBANIAN CATHOLIC INFORMATION CENTER Vol. VI P.O. BOX 1217 (UNIVERSITY), SANTA CLARA, CA 95053, U.S.A. 1985 ISSN 0272-7250 Albanian Catholic ALBANIAN CATHOLIC Information Center Board: Leo Gabriel Neal, O.F.M., Conv., Director BULLETIN Pjeter Pal Vani Jak Gardin, S.J. Zef V. Nekaj Barbara Kay Palok Plaku Ndoc Kelmendi, S.J. Gjon Sinishta Volume VI 1985 Julio Fernandez Lulash Dajçi Donald Banas Sharon Mollerus Editor: Gjon Sinishta Contributing Editors: Despite our intention to publish this Issue immediately following the Commem­ Sharon Mollerus oration ceremonies we regret that we were unable to do so. Donations proved Zef V. Nekaj insufficient to cover the financial costs incurred by the Commemoration obser­ Barbara Kay vance. Now thanks to the kindness of Franciscan Press* which extended credit to Art: us, we are able to print this Issue. Michael Mollerus The Albanian Catholic Information Center has been laboring for almost two decades without any form of sponsorship or financial assistance from the Catholic Typesetting: Church or any other organization. The Center has relied solely upon the generosity Mollerus Business Services and interest of concerned Catholics and others for its activities. P.O. Box 590186, S.F., CA 94159 We are now at a turning point regarding the further publication of The Bulletin. Printing: Printing and mailing costs have risen to the point that we must appeal for financial The Franciscan Press assistance (especially from those of you who are able to do so without hardship). If 445 Willow St., San Jose, CA 95110 you wish to join this effort to continue The Bulletin, you may become a sponsor (for $1,000 or more), a co-sponsor (for $500 or more), or a benefactor (for $100 or Material from this journal may be repro­ duced or translated, although proper more). Donations of any sum, of course, will be welcomed and acknowledged. acknowledgement of the source is re­ At this time we wish to express our gratitude to all of you who have continued to quested. support us through the years with your prayers and donations. May we continue to News articles and photos of general inter­ work together for the restoration of religious freedom in Albania. est, 100-1200 words in length, on religious, cultural, historical and political topics about Albania and its people, may be submitted for consideration. No payments are made for the published material. 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BULETINI KATOLIK SHQIPTAR Vjeti VI 1985 <?|> Table of Contents ' - • ':T-4 From the Editor 2 A Guest Editorial by James Torrens, S.J 3 Program: Commemoration of the 40th Anniversary of Religious Persecution in Albania 4 Remarks on the Solemn Observance of the Anniversary: A Manifestation of International Solidarity Honoring the Martyrs of Albania by Albert Minisci 10 The Martyrdom of Muzafer Pipa, Anton Harapi and Dedë Maçaj 14 Addresses and Sermons 17 Messages and Letters to the Commemoration Committee 27 Press Reports on Commemoration Observance 36 Grave Violations of Religious Rights in Albania by Palok Plaku 39 Fallen for Faith, Justice and Liberty 48 United Nations Commission on Human Rights Adopts Resolution Against Albania 50 Photo Collage of the Commemoration Observance 52 Foreign Press Reports on Religious Persecution in Albania 58 The Legacy of a Dyed-in-the-Wool Stalinist by Anton Logoreci 60 Mother Teresa Awarded Presidential Medal of Freedom 62 Gonxha Bojaxhiu — Saintly Daughter of Albania by Richard Siebert 64 Impressions of a High Greek Official about Albania 66 Albanian News and Events 67 Adem Demaçi — Longest Held Political Prisoner in Yugoslavia 74 An Exposition in Twenty-One Questions and Answers 76 Kosovë Stalemate Deepens — An Updated Report by Peter R. Prifti 82 Book Reviews 86 Ten Years Later — Remembering Ernest Koliqi 95 In Memoriam 97 Nji Manifestim Ndërkombtar për Kujtimin e Dëshmorve Fetarë Shqiptare 101 Photo Acknowledgements Front Cover: Kolec Pikolini (Left to right) Andrew Nargay, O.F.M., Jak Gardin, S.J., Bishop Daniel F. Walsh, V.G., William J. Wood, S.J., and Christopher Cartwright, S.J. Back Cover Lee Boone Inside Robert Pilgrim, Catherine Murphy, Peter Furlotte, Nikollë Veshtaj, John Cardino and Ndue Mëhilli Albanian Catholic Bulletin Acknowledgements From the Editor and Notes The organizing committee for the Com­ orty years of religious persecution in Albania has achieved the memoration wishes to gratefully acknow­ elimination of all vestiges of organized religion. The entire civilized ledge and especially thank the following F world has been silent in the face of this ongoing religious genocide. individuals for their generous cooperation, Albania has remained unchallenged by other members of the United Nations for its concern, and assistance: Rev. John Lo repeated violation of international laws and agreements regarding religious free­ Schiavo, S.J., President, University of San dom. Francisco; Rev. Paul J. Bernadicou,S.J., Our Center felt a serious moral and religious obligation to organize a solemn Rector, USF Jesuit Community; Rev. observance of this tragic anniversary to draw public attention and to urge the Donald C. Foree, S.J., Prefect, St. Ignatius international community to act in behalf of Albania's persecuted believers. Church; Jesuit Community and the Campus Ironically, perhaps symbolically, the death of Enver Hoxha occurred on the eve of Ministry Staff of the University of San our observance. Francisco; Santa Clara Mission Church and We were pleased that the San Francicso ceremonies of April 13-14, 1985 were the Campus Ministry Staff Santa Clara blessed with the attendance of Albanians and so many of their friends from other University; Matthew Walsh and St. Ig­ religious denominations and national backgrounds. The messages of solidarity and natius Church Choir; Mollerus Typesetting letters of support from Basil Cardinal Hume of England, President Ronald Reagan, Services; The Franciscan Press; Carmelite Mother Teresa of Calcutta, Governor George Deukmejian of California, Baba Monastery of Christo Rey, San Francisco; Rexhepi, Alexander Solzhenitsyn, the International Society for Human Rights, the The Sister Disciples of the Divine Master, International Association for Defense of Religious Liberty and others were San Jose; Patrick Steacy and Instructional encouraging and a hope-filled sign of growing national and religious concern. Media Crew, University of San Francisco; The addresses printed in this Issue indicate that the Commemoration focused on Joseph M. Costello and USF Public Safety the themes of peace and reconciliation. We believe, along with the participants, Department; William C. Brockett and USF that it was a definite manifestation of the spirit of true Christian forgiveness and the Mailroom Staff; Paul Rogers and Cathedral healing of national wounds. High School students; Dennis and Margaret Walden; Harold and Kathleen Duronslet; Daveen Spencer; Stella Pilgrim; Anne Far- again that our work binds us also to our Co-Sponsors: Joseph Cardinal Bernar- relly; Carol Runge; Gerald E. Timmins; oppressed brothers and sisters in Kosovë din of Chicago, Mary McDonald, Pastor Guy Wingfield. To these, and to all who who are struggling for justice and human Richard Wurmbrand, Donald Banas. assisted us in any way we offer our sincere dignity. We regret that we are unable to Benefactors: Lule Bushati, Open Doors thanks. print the letters to the editor because of with Brother Andrew, Rexhep Krasniqi, space limitation. However, we wish our Bishop Howard J. Hubbard of Albany, Ann readers to know that we appreciate their Sclafani Meridier, Rev. Primus letters and encourage them to continue Ndrevashay, Bishop Basil H. Losten of We also wish to express our gratitude to: writing to us. Stamford, Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Richter, Michael Kotlanger,S.J., Charles Fischer, Philip M. Hannan, Archbishop of New Or­ Cornelius M. Buchley,S.J., Erasmo Leiva, leans, Zef V. Nekaj, Bishop Joseph B. Lee Boone, Peter J. Fleming, S.J., and Despite the few donations received for Brunini of Jackson, Hamdi Oruci, John Wilfred Houeto for their help in preparing our 1984 Special Anniversary Issue we are Cardino, Rev. John J. Sweeny, Bishop this Commemoration Issue. able to publish this Commemoration Issue William G. Connare of Greensburg, Dud­ thanks to the generosity of the Franciscan ley Perkins Foundation, Patricia Newton, The editor and staff of the Bulletin Press which has extended our credit. The Rev. William J. Perkins,S.J., Pjeter gratefully acknowledges the receipt of following sponsors and benefactors have Kadeli, Catherine Murphy, Zef Shllaku. many encouraging letters. There has also made possible this issue, as well. Indeed, we are also indebted to many been some criticism of our coverage of the Sponsors: Aid to the Church in Need others who have sent along their donations. Kosovë issue. It is necessary to reiterate (West Germany), Rina Krevzell. May our Lord reward all. A Guest Editorial by James Torrens, S.J. Enver Hoxha was buried on the very weekend of an international tribute to the Albanians whose influence and memory, for forty years, he himself tried to bury. That cannot be without significant meaning. We do not talk of coincidence but of significance in those two events that came together on April 13-14, 1985. There is no question of nursing resentments, holding the enemy up to be reviled. "Thatisnotthe Spirit you have received," Jesus once said to his disciples who were ready to call down fire and brimstone upon a resistant town. Hoxha elicited from many of his countrymen the resolute witness we refer to as "martyrdom." This was far from his intentions; still he was the occasion of their heroic charity, and must now be commended to God's mercy.