(CZECHIA)
The Tablet [Market Harborough, England]
June 22, 2026
By Josef Pazderka
‘I absolutely did not expect that something like this could even be possible. Such behaviour is completely unacceptable and must never be underestimated or overlooked,’ said Archbishop Stanislav Přibyl.
The Archbishop of Prague Stanislav Přibyl launched church disciplinary proceedings against a former deacon and senior official in his archdiocese who has been accused of raping women over several years.
The Czech online outlet Seznam Zprávy reported that two women alleged that Antonin Juriga had repeatedly raped and abused them over a prolonged period when he was executive director of the Archdiocese of Prague.
“I want to reiterate that I am very sorry that anyone has experienced such pain in a church environment,” Archbishop Přibyl said in a statement posted on social media on 18 June.
“I absolutely did not expect that something like this could even be possible. Such behaviour is completely unacceptable and must never be underestimated or overlooked.”
He emphasised that the events took place during the tenure of his predecessor Archbishop Jan Graubner, who left the office early this year.
“Immediately after becoming acquainted with this testimony, I issued a decision to initiate preliminary proceedings, which precedes the actual criminal proceedings under church law. The entire matter is also being investigated by the police, to whom we are providing all cooperation,” Pribyl said.
The women’s testimonies described physical violence, extreme degradation and severe psychological abuse. One of the women said that some of the abuse took place on archdiocesan premises.
“I think it wasn’t the sex that actually satisfied him, but the torture and humiliation that accompanied it,” she told Seznam Zprávy, speaking on the condition of anonymity.
Police are reportedly investigating Juriga on suspicion of rape and sexual coercion involving at least four people. He has been under investigation since last September, but left his position at the archdiocese last year quietly with financial compensation and now lives in Spain.
Beyond the sexual abuse charges, Juriga’s tenure as a manager in the Archdiocese of Prague featured controversial church real estate transactions that have also been subject to investigation by Czech police.