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2026-07-28 22:28 UTC → 2026-08-06 08:02 UTC ·
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Allegations of sexual abuse by A former seminary student reported that a senior priest at the inter‑diocesan seminary sexually abused him from age 16 in Zagreb, dating back to the early 2000s, were first reported in 2012 by a former at the inter‑diocesan seminary student. in Zagreb and later during theological studies in Đakovo. The victim said the abuse continued for nearly a decade, leading to leaving the victim with PTSD and addiction problems. Early reports to bishops, including a cardinal in Vienna, resulted substance‑dependence. The allegations were first disclosed in an internal church investigation 2012 to Bishop Antun Škvorčević, who recorded written and digital evidence but took no decisive action. An internal church inquiry was conducted, and the victim also informed senior officials, including Cardinal Christoph Schönborn in Vienna, who warned Croatian bishops and the Vatican. After Bishop Ivo Martinović took assumed office, the Požega diocese forwarded referred the case to civil authorities and to the Croatian Bishops’ Conference office for the protection of minors. The Zagreb Municipal State Attorney’s Office has since subsequently opened a formal criminal investigation to assess determine whether criminal charges can be pursued against pursued. In 2025 the priest. Church officials assert Vatican’s Dicastery for the matter remains under Doctrine of the Faith concluded its own investigation, while prosecutors confirming the priest’s guilt and directing the Croatian Bishops’ Conference to impose a canonical penalty. As of mid‑2026 the conference has not yet issued the penalty, drawing criticism for the delay. Prosecutors continue to gather evidence to determine if there is sufficient suspicion for prosecution. evidence, and church officials maintain that the matter remains under investigation.