The archbishop of Rijeka tearfully described cases of abuse

The apology of Rijeka Archbishop Mate Uzinić resonated strongly in Croatia. Through tears, he spoke about reports and investigations into allegations of child and adult abuse.

On Monday, Uzinić spoke publicly about the reports and investigations he conducted over the course of two and a half years, which are related to accusations of abuse of minors and adults, emphasizing his deep sadness and shame, and asked the victims for forgiveness.

For all the cases I am aware of, I initiated the necessary investigations, I reported all cases of abuse to the DORH (State Prosecutor’s Office), regardless of whether it was a statute of limitations or not, and I informed the competent Dicastery with the results of the investigation, he said.

Uzinić reminded how Pope Francis appointed him coadjutor archbishop of Rijeka in 2020 and gave him special management powers, even though the archbishop of Rijeka was Ivan Devčić.

He said some reports are anonymous, which makes investigations difficult, but he has done everything he can to get the truth and justice for the victims, and the scale of the abuse is often greater than what can be investigated.

As the first case, which was completed before his arrival, Uzinić cited the case of priest M.Š. (70), who was accused in 2016 of sexually abusing a minor in 1992. He pleaded guilty and was relieved of his church duties.

New allegations surface in 2018 and the investigation is reopened. The accused admitted that there were several cases: 1987/1988, 1992/1993, and possibly in 1994 and that they involved 13 boys ranging from six to 13 years old.

Then the priest personally reported himself to the police for lewd acts against children and minors, and asked for and received forgiveness from celibacy and dismissal from the clergy.

Uzinić informed the ŽDO (County Prosecutor’s Office) in Rijeka about this, noting that the qualification of the crime admitted by M.Š. during the canonical process, more serious than the one he stated in the report to the police, and that the possibility of later committing criminal acts cannot be ruled out.

Priest M.Š. (82) was anonymously accused of sending inappropriate messages to a number of minors in 2006 and 2007, of inappropriately touching a minor, and of harassing adult theologians with inappropriate messages in 2007. The DP priest (85) was accused of criminal offenses against a minor, and there were rumors about blackmailing the DP priest by a former minister. Both of them are prohibited from having contact with minors and performing priestly duties.

Priest LL, 70, is accused of sending inappropriate messages and seducing minors between 1999 and 2005, and is accused of doing so between 2017 and 2019 to one adult and one minor girl. He is prohibited from having contact with minors and performing his duties.

In 2021, priest JP (33) was accused by a mother of abusing her minor daughter. She reported everything to the police and DORH, and a canonical investigation was conducted. He is forbidden to have contact with minors and to work. In April 2022, a decision was received from the ODO in Rijeka to initiate an investigation, which is still ongoing.

The MS priest (45) was accused by the young man’s father of the bad influence of the MS on his son, a former theologian. A preliminary investigation in 2022 did not establish abuse, so the case was not reported to the police, but the priest’s imprudence was established and he was forbidden to have contact with the young man. Last week, a Nacional article made new, anonymous accusations against the MS priest, and a new preliminary investigation was launched, and the priest was dismissed from his ministry.

Archbishop Uzinić also cited the case of a priest (53) who was accused of abuse of confession and trafficking, but the basis for the accusations was not established.

One priest (45) was reported for embezzlement of parish money, so he was warned and ordered to repay the debt, and one priest (69) was reported for trade and servitude. He legally sold the property of the people to whom he lent money, but inappropriate behavior was found and he was reprimanded.

Uzinić added that four days ago he received another complaint for sexual abuse against one person and a complaint for cover-up against another person, which was reported by the ŽDO in Rijeka and asked the competent Dicastery for instructions on conducting a preliminary investigation.

He requested the establishment of an independent commission that will review all cases and announced that from now on, after the completion of previous investigations, he will inform the faithful and the public about the conclusions and suggest that other dioceses do the same.

“No one likes to show their dirty laundry”

When asked by a journalist why he did not present this information earlier and whether there is a systemic cover-up in the Croatian Church, Uzinić replied that it was about secret processes.

The church, while confronting, wanted to protect the good reputation of injured persons and victims, who are afraid of additional stress, as well as abusers, until the accusations are confirmed, said Uzinić, adding that he dealt with cases, tried to solve them and believed that it is more important to carry out processes with better quality.

I would not dare to say that it is being covered up, said Uzinić, adding that HBK has yet to determine the true state of affairs, but that he can confirm that no one likes to show their dirty laundry, and this, he said, “is not only dirty you know, this is much more difficult than that”.