A religious sister in Croatia falsely reported a knife attack. The sister, Marija Tajana Zrno, claimed she was stabbed by an unknown assailant. Croatian police investigated and determined Zrno had harmed herself. Police are filing a criminal report against Zrno for falsely reporting a crime. Zrno has been taken to a health facility for medical care.
13 days ago
A 35-year-old Croatian nun, Sister Marija Tajjana Zrno of the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, reported being stabbed in the abdomen by an unknown assailant in Zagreb's Malešnica neighborhood on November 28, 2025.1 2 3
She was treated at Sisters of Charity Hospital for minor, non-life-threatening injuries from a sharp object and discharged on December 1.1 2 3
Zagreb police conducted a four-day investigation and concluded that Zrno had purchased a knife in a local store and inflicted the wound on herself.1 2 3
The department announced on December 2 that the assault claims were false and filed a criminal complaint against her for misleading authorities with a false report.1 2 3
Zrno was subsequently transferred to a psychiatric facility for mental health treatment, as sources indicated she faces ongoing challenges.1
Early reports in Croatian and English media described the incident as a possible religiously motivated attack, with claims of the assailant shouting "Allahu Akbar" and speculation linking it to a migrant perpetrator.1 2 3
Social media amplified these unverified details, fueling public outrage and calls for vengeance.2 3
Police explicitly refuted these accounts, stating their investigation found no evidence of an external attacker or religious motives.1 2 3
The Croatian government confirmed that police and health services responded promptly, while the Ministry of Science, Education, and Youth provided psychological support to Zrno's elementary school, where she teaches religion.2 3
Zagreb Mayor Tomislav Tomašević prioritized her recovery but urged a swift, transparent investigation amid national concern.2 3
Zrno's religious community expressed gratitude to medical and police services, emphasizing support for her dignity and calling for prayerful unity.1
A Croatian priest, Father Stjepan Ivan Horvat, addressed online aggression via Instagram, urging Catholics to respond with love and quoting John 15:18-20 on enduring persecution.2 3
The Archdiocese of Zagreb and Episcopal Conference of Croatia had not commented publicly as of December 2.2 3
How does Catholic teaching address false accusations by clergy?
Catholic doctrine places a high value on truth, justice, and charity within the Church, viewing false accusations as a grave sin that undermines the unity and mission of the faithful. While the Church's teachings emphasize the protection of clergy from unfounded or malicious charges—recognizing their role as shepherds appointed by the Holy Spirit—the sources available also touch on the broader moral imperative for all, including clergy, to uphold truth and avoid calumny. These teachings draw from papal encyclicals, conciliar decrees, and historical ecclesiastical documents, which collectively warn against rash judgments, promote prudent zeal, and stress accountability to God. Although the provided references focus more explicitly on safeguards against false accusations against clergy, they imply a reciprocal duty for clergy to refrain from making such accusations themselves, aligning with the Church's condemnation of detraction and slander as violations of the Eighth Commandment.
A central theme in Catholic teaching is the defense of ecclesiastical authority from baseless attacks, as clergy and prelates are seen as instruments of divine governance. Pope Leo XIII, in his 1881 encyclical Licit Multa, strongly decries the "facility with which unfounded accusations are levelled vaguely against one's neighbour," particularly against those in positions of dignity like archbishops and cardinals. He enjoins Catholics to abstain from such conduct, noting that it "does injury to the good name of others, and weakens the bonds of charity," while outraging those "whom the Holy Ghost has placed to govern the Church of God." This protection extends to the Holy See itself, underscoring that the defense of Catholic truths is entrusted to the Apostolic See, not to individual polemics that risk spreading error.
Similarly, the Fourth Lateran Council (1215) establishes procedural safeguards to prevent malicious or false accusations against prelates, who "cannot please everyone" due to their duty to rebuke and correct. The Council decrees that accusations entailing degradation must be preceded by a "charge in lawful form," and even grave offenses require careful inquiry to avoid scandal. It emphasizes acting "not out of hate but rather out of charity," ensuring that "prelates are not accused unjustly" while still holding them accountable if offenses are notorious. This balanced approach aims to "shut the door not only to false but also to malicious accusations," lest the Church's structure collapse.
Historical texts like The False Decretals (c. 850) reinforce this by prohibiting laypeople or lesser clergy from accusing priests or bishops unless they err in matters of faith. It states that "the flock should not dare to bring a charge against their pastor... unless he falls into error in the faith," quoting Christ's words: "The disciple is not above his master, nor the servant above his lord" (Matthew 10:24). Accusers who conspire against superiors face severe penalties, such as removal from clerical orders and perpetual infamy, highlighting the Church's commitment to orderly justice over unchecked contention.
Pope Pius XII echoes these concerns in Ad Apostolorum Principis (1958), condemning associations that "spread false rumors and accusations" against clergy, bishops, and the Holy See under the guise of promoting peace. Such actions are portrayed as portraying the Church as seeking "earthly domination" or exploiting people, which distorts the faithful's perception and sows division.
While the sources prioritize protections for the accused clergy, they also address the responsibilities of priests and pastors to model truth and avoid leading others into falsehoods, which indirectly speaks to the sinfulness of false accusations by clergy. In Casti Connubii (1930), Pope Pius XI admonishes confessors and those with care of souls "not to allow the faithful entrusted to them to err regarding this most grave law of God," particularly on matrimony, and to remain "immune from such false opinions, in no way conniving in them." If a priest "lead[s] the faithful... into these errors or should at least confirm them by approval or by guilty silence," he must render a "strict account to God" and heed Christ's warning: "They are blind and leaders of the blind: and if the blind lead the blind, both fall into the pit" (Matthew 15:14). This extends to the Denzinger's compilation of dogmatic sources, which repeats the call for priests to avoid betraying their trust through false teachings or silence.
Pope Leo XIII in Depuis le Jour (1899) urges ecclesiastics to "reflect seriously on their sublime obligations" and act with "enlightened and prudent zeal," so that "even our enemies will seek in vain for motives of reproach and blame." This implies that clergy must avoid actions—such as making false accusations—that could invite legitimate criticism or harm the Church's witness.
Pope Pius XII in Invicti Athletae (1957) calls on priests to "resist [haters of God] respectful ever of individuals, but defending the truth," even at personal cost. This respectful defense precludes false accusations, as Christian virtue demands suffering much but relying on God's reward. Likewise, Pope Pius X in Tribus Circiter (1906) exhorts bishops to embrace repentant erring priests with charity and lead the faithful back from delusion, fostering piety rather than division through accusation.
These teachings fit within the Church's ethical framework against calumny, as outlined in the Catechism (though not directly cited here), where false witness is a mortal sin if it gravely harms reputation. Clergy, as public figures of moral authority, bear heightened responsibility; their false accusations could scandalize the faithful and erode trust in the hierarchy. The sources collectively promote a culture of charity and justice, where accusations—whether by or against clergy—must be grounded in truth and handled through proper channels, such as the Apostolic See.
In cases of controversy, such as historical polemics or modern scandals, the Church prioritizes due process to discern truth from falsehood, always guided by the Holy Spirit. Where sources like the Lateran Council allow action on "notorious" offenses, it is framed as charitable correction, not vengeance.
In summary, Catholic teaching robustly shields clergy from false accusations to preserve ecclesiastical order and charity, while obliging them to uphold truth in their own words and actions. This dual emphasis fosters a Church where justice tempers zeal, and all are accountable to divine judgment. For deeper exploration, consulting the full Catechism or recent magisterial documents may provide additional nuance.