Press Conference at the Caritas Children’s Home in Brezovica

Brezovica (IKA) – The president of Croatian Caritas, Auxiliary Bishop Josip Mrzljak of Zagreb, announced that the Archdiocese of Zagreb has not received any official findings whatsoever from the State Prosecutor’s Office regarding the alleged abuse at the Caritas children’s home in Brezovica.

At a press conference held on April 27 at the Caritas children’s home in Brezovica, organized in response to media articles on alleged abuse at that home, Bishop Mrzljak cautioned that the allegations being made by the media and some politicians are very grave and serious. He asked that in the event that the abuse is actually confirmed, why the government institutions have not reacted, shut down the home and transferred the children to government institutions. Bishop Mrzljak explained to the journalists that it is not the mission of the Church to shut itself off within its walls and pray but also to perform charitable activities. He expressed sorrow that the public does not recognize the efforts by the Church to do good at the children’s home in Brezovica.

He mentioned that as soon as Cardinal Josip Bozanić returned from Rome, he convened the Bishop’s Council, which discussed the matter of Brezovica. The cardinal asked who would be held responsible if the newspaper articles and accusations are not true and who would restore the Caritas’s damaged reputation. Bishop Mrzljak pointed out that Zagreb Archdiocesan Caritas has cared for children for over 35 years, during whcih period over 4,500 children have passed through the institution.

Auxiliary Bishop Valentin Pozaić of Zagreb turned attention to the human rights and dignity of the employees and wards of Caritas, that have been violated in this situation. He recommended that the Zagreb Archdiocese ought to initiate an investigation, in which the assistance of government institutions should be sought, as necessary, in order to establish whether any abuse whatsoever has occurred. He emphasized that responsibility should be assumed, whether there was negligence within Caritas or whether the newspaper allegations prove to be false.

The head of the children’s home in Brezovica, Ana Perišić, decisively stated that there is no physical, verbal or psychological abuse whatsoever at that institution. She explained to the journalists that the home has been operating for ten years and also cares for children with severe mental or physical handicaps, who often do not know how to control their sexual urges, as is the case in all such institutions. She emphasized the high level of care for the children in the home, which meets all the professional standards and is provided in cooperation with all the relevant institutions.
Jelena Brajša, the head of Caritas for the Zagreb Archdiocese, emphasized that children come into the home whose upbringing has been neglected and therefore certain difficulties occur during the course of their care. She said that every incidence of physical abuse cannot be concealed because the children in the home come into contact with the outside world, since they attend the local elementary school. If there had been abuse, it would have been noticed by the school.

Allegations of child abuse were also refuted by Zdenka Ašperger, a nurse who has worked at the home since it was founded in 1994. She pointed out how the children come to her for even the tiniest pimple. Therefore, it is nearly impossible that they would not have complained to her of the severe abuse mentioned in the media. She added that in addition to the medical care provided at the home for the children, they are also taken to other medical institutions. Therefore, it would be impossible to conceal injury or abuse inflicted upon the children, even if someone wanted to do so.