Following the orders issued by the Congregation for Bishops, Uran has been living in the coastal town for over two years now after his temporary retreat from Slovenia, and many people have come to the crowded church at St Ivan precisely to see the Slovenian monsignor.

The punishment ordered by Rome forbids Alojz Uran from having any contact with the media. According to his Triestine companions, he doesn’t speak about his suffering or show it publicly. “He’s an extraordinary person, a good bishop and priest. I’m very happy to have him in our parish, since he occasionally leads the mass,” explains Don Fabbo Ritossa.

The reason for his exile still a subject of speculation
There is still no official explanation as to why Uran has been punished so severely by Vatican. Those behind the border are wondering, too. “I think Pope Francis could easily revoke this, the same way he did for the others, and simply allow him to return home,” argues Slovenian priest Milan Nemac.

Mirjam Muženič, RTV Slovenija; translated by K. Z.