Croatia court orders priest and church to pay damages for child abuse

child abuse compensation Catholic Church Croatia Gracijan Gasperov legal precedent Split

The Zagreb Regional Court has issued a landmark ruling in Croatia, ordering a priest and a church institution to pay 20,000 euros in compensation to a victim of childhood sexual abuse. This marks the first time in the country that both a clergyman and a church entity have been held legally liable for such damages.

The abuse occurred in October 1997 at the St. Frane Church in Split. The perpetrator was identified as Gracijan Gasperov, who served as the head priest at the time. The victim, now 44, reported the abuse to church authorities in 2011 after years of psychological struggle. While a criminal prosecution was not pursued due to the statute of limitations, the court affirmed that civil liability exists independently.

The court ruled that the Croatian Province of St. Jerome of the Franciscans Conventuals and Gracijan Gasperov are jointly and severally liable for the damages. The responsibility of the Split-Makarska Archdiocese was not established in this case. The victim expressed pride in the courage of the judges, noting that the institution had previously contributed to his psychological exhaustion.

Entities

Catholic Church · Croatian Catholic Church · Croatian Province of St. Jerome of the Conventual Franciscans · Croatian Province of St. Jerome of the Franciscans Conventuals · Fra Gracijan (Stipe) Gašperov · Franciscan Province of St. Jerome · Gracijan Gasperov · Jed York · Leeds United · San Francisco 49ers · Split Municipal Court · St. Frane Church

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 8 SOURCES] A priest and the Catholic Church administration were ordered to pay 20,000 euros in non-pecuniary damages and court costs. www.karsmanset.com · www.aksam.com.tr · www.odatv.com · www.sondakika.com · www.jutarnji.hr · +3 more
[● 7 SOURCES] This is the first time in Croatia that a priest and a church institution have been ordered to pay compensation for child abuse. www.karsmanset.com · www.aksam.com.tr · www.odatv.com · www.sondakika.com · www.jutarnji.hr · +2 more
[● 8 SOURCES] The perpetrator was identified as Gracijan Gasperov, who was the head priest of St. Frane Church at the time. www.karsmanset.com · www.aksam.com.tr · www.odatv.com · www.sondakika.com · www.jutarnji.hr · +3 more
[● 6 SOURCES] The Zagreb Regional Court upheld a lower court decision ordering compensation for child abuse. www.karsmanset.com · www.aksam.com.tr · www.odatv.com · www.sondakika.com · www.jutarnji.hr · +1 more
[● 8 SOURCES] The abuse occurred in October 1997 at the St. Frane Church in Split. www.karsmanset.com · www.aksam.com.tr · www.odatv.com · www.sondakika.com · www.jutarnji.hr · +3 more
[○ 1 SOURCE] A criminal prosecution was not initiated due to the statute of limitations. www.24sata.hr
[● 3 SOURCES] The Croatian Province of St. Jerome of the Franciscans Conventuals and Fra Gracijan are liable for damages jointly and severally. www.24sata.hr · www.jutarnji.hr · www.index.hr
[● 2 SOURCES] The responsibility of the Split-Makarska Archdiocese was not established. www.24sata.hr · www.jutarnji.hr