One of the most difficult things in life is practicing what you preach. Vjekoslav Huzjak is known for his passion for hunting. But now the Croatian bishop is attracting criticism for a fatal miss. Instead of a wild boar, the 58-year-old hits another amateur hunter.
This hunting accident involving a Catholic bishop is causing a public stir in Croatia. As the newspaper “Vecernji List” reported on Tuesday, the diocesan bishop of Bjelovar-Krizevci, Vjekoslav Huzjak, apparently accidentally shot another perpetrator about 100 meters away while hunting wild boar last Friday. The 64-year-old victim was taken to a hospital with a serious thigh injury, but his life is not in danger, according to police.
Tko je #Biskup Huzjak: za njegovu strast za lovom znalo se već godinama – https://t.co/qFXyhFjzgv #krizevci #KraljevaVelika #Lipovljani #Lov #Lovac #Nesreća #VjekoslavHuzjak pic.twitter.com/A26KT2qJXN
— Križevci.Info (@krizevciinfo) January 15, 2019
Police confirmed the hunting accident without revealing the bishop’s name. A statement said criminal proceedings will be initiated against the bishop, who had actually intended to hit a wild boar.
Huzjak’s diocese of Bjelovar-Krizevci released a statement on the incident, saying the bishop “expresses his deep regret for what happened and wishes the injured hunter a speedy recovery .” Church sources said: ” This is unusual, and something like this has never happened before in the recent history of our Church.”
According to local media, Bishop Huzjak is known as an avid hobby hunter. The Catholic priest received widespread criticism on social media for his disastrous misfire. ” This is what happens when priests hold a gun instead of staying at the altar… Amen! ” one woman wrote on Facebook. A man ranted: ” What does a bishop do while hunting? Kill God’s creatures? Isn’t that contrary to his ministry and the faith he preaches? “