Kardinal Alojzije Stepinac

The book Kardinal Alojzije Stepinac—originally published in French under the title Le cardinal Stepinac, martyr des droits de l’homme (Paris, 1981)—is the work of the Jesuit Vladimir Horvat, who wrote under the pseudonym M. Landercy. It serves as a biographical, historical, and documentary account of the life of the Archbishop of Zagreb, Cardinal Alojzije Stepinac, with a particular focus on his defense of human rights, freedom of conscience, and religious freedom.

The author traces Stepinac’s life journey, his priestly vocation, his service as archbishop, and his actions amidst the complex political circumstances of the Second World War. The text examines his relationship with the authorities of the Independent State of Croatia, his advocacy for those being persecuted, and his public statements against racial and national discrimination. Special attention is given to his conflict with the Yugoslav communist authorities, his 1946 trial, his imprisonment, and his forced confinement in Krašić.

The work seeks to challenge the official accusations leveled against Stepinac and to present his role to the international public through documents, testimonies, and an analysis of historical circumstances. Stepinac is portrayed as a symbol of moral steadfastness and resistance against totalitarian repression. The book is significant for the study of the relationship between the Catholic Church and state authorities in the 20th century, and it also serves as an example of apologetic literature that interprets Stepinac’s life from a distinctly affirmative perspective.