On the social network “Facebook,” A. Tapinas published a post in which he spoke about the pedophilia scandal that shook the Lithuanian Church. He did not spare criticism of the Church institution and sharply spoke about the malfunctioning self-control mechanisms.
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A. Tapinas agreed to share the post with the readers of the Žmonės.lt portal as well.
“Let us pray – this is the decision proposed by Archbishop Gintaras Grušas, as the Church faces probably the largest case of priest pedophilia in Lithuania
A priest is suspected of committing 34 sexual crimes over more than 20 years in six different locations. Another priest is also on trial.
Let us pray and maybe everything will be wiped out.
No one knew anything, the Church received no signals – explain the clergy who stood before the cameras.
Of course, how could it be otherwise – if Delfi sources are accurate, the parishes are tiny, in Lithuanian towns and villages where everyone knows each other and nothing slips past anyone’s eyes or ears. But the Church did not know for 20 years that the priest was shining his greasy eyes on children not out of Christ’s love.
That’s exactly how it is.
Everything in this institution is so rotten that nothing works anymore. There are no self-control mechanisms left. People do whatever they want, some molest children for 20 years, others cover them up, Vilnius district defends the convicted pedophile’s right to remain an honorary citizen and does not change the streets named after him, others preach from pulpits about whom to vote for, some curse civic protests with their last words, and others very successfully use the Church’s opportunity to operate as a limited liability company but pay no taxes.
But let us be vigilant – invites Archbishop Grušas, trying not to react to how many Lithuanian priests have drifted so far from true faith that it is not even visible.
Let us be open, now it would not be Christ driving the merchants out of the Church, but the shepherds in cassocks,” wrote A. Tapinas.
Žmonės.lt reminds that the pedophilia case has been handed over to the Vilnius District Court for trial.
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Prosecutor Justas Laucius told journalists on Tuesday that the clergyman is accused of 34 intentional minor, serious, and very serious crimes committed between 2002-2025 at the priest’s residences belonging to the Church.
These are 2 episodes of handling pornographic material 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 minor’s sexual self-determination freedom and inviolability for payment, 2 episodes of sexual assault of minors, and 1 episode of sexual assault 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.
J. Laucius also reported that in June, a case was handed over to the court in which another priest of the Vilnius Archdiocese is accused of child pornography.
According to the archdiocese, this priest has also been suspended from duties. A canonical investigation is underway, and the Holy See has been informed.
This priest, who is also not named, faces a somewhat shorter prison term – up to four years.
