A Catholic religious sister in Zagreb, Croatia is recovering in the hospital after being stabbed multiple times on Friday in what authorities are still investigating as a potentially religiously motivated attack.
According to LifeSiteNews, the assault took place on November 28 in the Malešnica neighborhood, where the sister—later publicly identified as Sister Marija Tatjana Zrno, 34, of the Sisters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul—was wounded in the abdomen with a sharp object. She briefly returned to her convent before being transported to the Sisters of Charity University Hospital Centre for urgent medical care.
Hospital officials confirmed that the sister arrived around 3 p.m. with “an injury inflicted by a sharp object in the area of the abdominal wall,” according to the Sisters of Charity University Hospital Centre. Doctors reported that while the injury required further evaluation, she was “not in life-threatening condition,” according to the same hospital statement.
Police opened a criminal investigation after being notified by medical staff. Local media reported that officers were “determining all circumstances of the incident,” according to police comments cited in Croatian outlets. The Catholic Information Agency (IKA) reported that investigators are examining whether the attack included “elements of religious or ideological motivation,” according to sources cited by IKA.
Although officials have not confirmed a motive or identity of the assailant, Croatian journalist Marin Vlahović wrote that a trusted source told him the attacker was “allegedly a migrant” who shouted “religious” slogans, including “Allahu akbar,” according to Vlahović’s reporting. LifeSiteNews notes, he later clarified that Sister Marija Tatjana was out of danger and said he wished to inform the public “not raise tensions,” according to his follow-up statements.
Sister Marija Tatjana, originally from Šujica in Bosnia and Herzegovina, lives in her congregation’s Zagreb monastery and teaches religion at a local school. Known for her joyful spirit and deep Marian devotion, she is beloved across Croatia for her lifelong passion for soccer, which she has described as “a way of connecting people, joy, and evangelization,” according to her past remarks cited by Catholic News Agency and ACI Prensa.
Her enthusiasm once gained international attention when she explained that spiritual discipline mirrors athletic training: “To be a successful football player, you have to train every day. It’s the same with spirituality: if you’re not persistent and don’t pray regularly, you’ll become lazy, lukewarm, and your life won’t bear fruit,” according to her interview published by ACI Prensa and CNA.
She has been especially admired for initiatives that tie faith to Croatian sports culture. Alongside Fr. Ivan Dominik Iličić, she helped organize the “Rosary for the Fire” prayer campaign during the World Cup, bringing together “young and old people from all over Croatia,” according to their statements cited by media. She personally notified the national team’s coach, who, she said, received the effort warmly.
As the investigation continues, Croatian Catholic media are urging the faithful to pray for Sister Marija Tatjana’s full recovery and for peace in the local community.
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