Algirdas Toliatas published his comment on the priest pedophilia scandal that shook Lithuania on Saturday, during the Assumption Day, on his Facebook page.
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“Today we celebrate the Assumption Day. It is a feast of spiritual harvest. The Mother of God resonates with the fullness of heavenly love.
This is the calling of each of us. A God-sized hole in our soul that no one else can fill.
But there is another side of the coin – sin. Like a virus that has damaged human nature. A defaced image of God. It hides in our soul like some kind of herpes. It seems to be just waiting for an opportunity to write its comment on the lip.
No matter how advanced humanity is, herpes still breaks through, one way or another.
It is painful and frustrating.
These pedophilia incidents were very shocking. It is hard to even comprehend how this could have happened. And how it could have continued for so long. We can only hope that the victims and their families will receive the best possible help, and that all responsible institutions will take action not only to address these cases but also to find ways to act effectively and systematically so that such things never happen AGAIN anywhere.
Some people’s statements and comments on this topic were also very disappointing. Like a chain broken, splashing emotions and some generalizing humiliations and accusations. Like an avalanche irresponsibly sweeping everything in its path.
Each of us grows a harvest in our soul. But we are responsible not only for our own harvest but also for those nearby. Everything we share – both actions and words – has a creative or destructive power. Therefore, we must do it responsibly.
But even if we manage to activate the best version of ourselves, we would not be able to mature the harvest by our own strength alone. It is simply too cold inside us.
There is a God-sized hole in the human soul that only He can fill with the warmth of Heaven. This is the Assumption Day,” wrote A. Toliatas.
Žmonės.lt reminds that the pedophilia case has been handed over to the Vilnius District Court for trial.
15min sources say that the most serious charges were brought against 56-year-old Tadas Švedavičius.
As announced by the Vilnius Archdiocese in early June 2025, “priest Tadas Švedavičius is appointed pastor of the Dubičiai Parish of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, while continuing to hold other duties.”
The priest served until December 19, 2025. His dismissal was not publicly announced, although such information about changes in parish priests is usually public.
Before that, he was the pastor of the Kalesninkai parish for about eight years. He took care of the impressive Kalesninkai Church of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary, organized active parish activities, in which the Šalčininkai district authorities also participated. On social networks, T. Švedavičius presents himself with a Polish-written first and last name and indicates that he lives in Kalesninkai.
Previously, T. Švedavičius also worked in other parishes mostly inhabited by Polish believers, for example, in Rūdiškės and Palukniai in the Trakai district.
Prosecutor Justas Laucius told journalists on Tuesday that the clergyman is charged with 34 intentional misdemeanors, serious and very serious crimes committed between 2002 and 2025 at the priest’s residences belonging to the Church.
These include 2 episodes of possession of pornographic materials depicting a child, 13 episodes of involving a child in drunkenness, 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 assault on minors, and 1 episode of sexual assault on a minor.
Eleven people who were 12-18 years old when the crimes were committed are 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.
J. Laucius also reported that in June the case was handed over to the court, in which another priest of the Vilnius Archdiocese is accused of child pornography.
According to 15min information, 51-year-old Ryšardas Peciunas is charged with possession of child pornography. He also worked in the Palukniai Parish of St. John the Baptist and the Rūdiškės Parish of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, like the aforementioned T. Švedavičius.
According to the archdiocese, this priest has also been suspended from duties. A canonical investigation is underway, and the Holy See has been informed.
G. Grušas also commented on the situation.
“The Vilnius Archdiocese was informed that two criminal cases have been handed over to the court, in which priests have been charged with allegedly committed crimes. From the very beginning of the pre-trial investigation, we cooperated with law enforcement agencies and will continue this cooperation <…> Today I invite everyone to sincere prayer. Not only for these investigated cases but also for all such cases in Lithuania and worldwide: for the victims, for the repentance and conversion of those who committed such crimes; for priests, so that their ministry in the Church always brings God’s closeness, healing, and allows experiencing His mercy; for our communities and the entire Church – because when one member hurts, the whole body hurts. Only Christ can finally heal our wounds.
I invite our community not only to pray but also to be vigilant. I encourage everyone to strive to protect the young and vulnerable members of our community. This is the responsibility of all of us,” said G. Grušas.
