Controversial Croatian cardinal smeared by communists?

Historic evidence reveals Archbishop of Zagreb as target of disinformation

The statue of Cardinal Aloysius Stepinac at his tomb
in the Zagreb Cathedral,  Croatia.
(Photo Credit: Dennis Jarvis via flickr)

Cardinal Aloysius Stepinac may have been a target of decades-long smears and disinformation by communists, says one researcher of the period.

"Stepinac was and remains an enormous hero in Croatia today," Professor Ronald J. Rychlak told CNA. "Just about every church you go into there's a picture of a statue or a piatning of Stepinac. He's truly a national hero over there. And he did stand against the Ustashe. He stood against the communists as well. They imprisoned him."

Cardinal Stepinac was the Archbishop of Zagreb, Croatia from 1937 until his death in 1960 at the age of 61. His acts against the pro-Nazi Ustashe movement are discussed here.