The two NGOs said the decision sent "a very negative message to the public, particularly the faithful - that the voters' will, demonstrated through the election of a retired priest to the country's highest law-making body, provides reason for the condemnation and excommunication of the priest."

"This is all the more worrying as Father Ivan Grubisic has won the support of an unexpectedly large number of citizens who have recognised in him an honourable and good person who preaches sincerely and behaves in line with moral values that are also in the foundations of Christianity," reads a statement by the presidents of the two NGOs, Zoran Pusic and Vesna Terselic.

They said the situation was worrying both for the Church and society as a whole because "the Church finds nothing problematic about religious dignitaries who make deeply immoral and strong political statements," such as Split-Makarska Archbishop Marin Barisic's statement that Mirko Norac, a war crime convict, "is in our hearts, thoughts and prayers", or the statement by Gospic-Senj Bishop Mile Bogovic that "the individualisation of guilt is the work of the Devil."

The Archbishop of Split and Makarska, Monsignor Barisic, on Wednesday took disciplinary action against Grubisic for his active involvement in politics, suspending his right to hear confessions, deliver sermons, celebrate the Eucharist and wear priestly robes.

The suspension is "a consequence of (Grubisic's) active participation in politics by his establishment of a political party called Citizens' Initiative and by his acceptance of the mandate of a parliamentary deputy which also implies participation in the administration of civil authority; of inappropriate behaviour unbefitting the priestly calling; and of his unremitting disobedience to his Ordinariate," the Split-Makarska Archdiocese said in a statement earlier in the day.

Grubisic's independent slate won two seats in the new parliament, one of which was allocated to Grubisic.

Grubisic believes that his suspension is an administrative act of a bishop rather than a legal act, and that it cannot apply to him.

"I have no comment. The explanation (of the disciplinary measure) does not refer to me, as it is not true that I have established a political party and entered the parliament through that party. It is an insinuation. It shows the lack of knowledge of and disrespect for Croatian laws, which is why I don't want to comment on the matter," said Grubisic.

He said that he would appeal against the disciplinary measure before higher Church authorities, possibly the Croatian Bishops' Conference or the Vatican's Congregation for Bishops.