Latest Information
The representative of the Archdiocese of Vilnius, priest Mykolas Sotničenka, provided the latest information.
According to him, the Church and the Archdiocese of Vilnius are experiencing a moment of great pain and truth: “I, as a priest, am ashamed (…), that such cases have occurred.”
The priest did not disclose the name of the priest accused of crimes against children “so that the victims would not suffer”.
He also did not reveal in which parishes the mentioned priest worked, nor whether he worked in Vilnius or outside its limits, as the archdiocese covers not only the capital.
Moreover, M. Sotničenka stated that over more than 20 years the archdiocese had not received “any signal” about possible crimes.
Priest suspended from duties
The Archbishop of Vilnius, Gintaras Grušas, said in a press release that “our duty is to do everything so that there is no place for inappropriate behavior in the community of believers”.
The archdiocese stated that it cooperated with law enforcement during the pre-trial investigation. In turn, this priest is currently suspended from duties, a canonical investigation has been initiated, and the Holy See has been informed.
The Archdiocese of Vilnius reminds that crimes against children must be reported to law enforcement authorities.
Everyone who has experienced sexual abuse or other inappropriate behavior in the church environment, as well as those who have knowledge of such cases, are invited by the clergy to contact the Victims’ Listening Service operating in the Archdiocese of Vilnius by email at noriupasakyti@vilnensis.lt.
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Crimes committed over more than 20 years
The General Prosecutor’s Office’s pedophilia case against an unnamed priest has been transferred to the Vilnius District Court for trial.
Prosecutor Justas Laucius told journalists on Tuesday that the clergyman is accused of 34 intentional misdemeanors, serious and very serious crimes committed between 2002-2025 at the priest’s residences belonging to the Church.
These include 2 episodes of possession of pornographic material depicting a child, 13 episodes of involving a child in drinking, 9 episodes of exploiting a child for pornography, 4 episodes of molesting a person under 16 years old, 3 episodes of satisfying sexual passion violating the sexual self-determination and inviolability of a minor for payment, 2 episodes of sexual abuse of minors, and 1 episode of sexual abuse of a minor.
Eleven people, who were 12-18 years old when the crimes were committed, have been recognized as victims in the case. They have filed civil claims.
The priest accused of pedophilia is currently subject to preventive measures – a written promise not to leave and confiscation of documents.
Another case – concerning child pornography
J. Laucius also reported that in June a case was transferred to court in which another priest of the Vilnius Archdiocese is accused of child pornography.
According to the archdiocese, this priest is also suspended from duties. A canonical investigation is underway, and the Holy See has been informed.
This priest, who is also unnamed, faces a somewhat shorter prison term – up to four years.
