Pernai diocese receives two reports of possible sexual abuse of minors

The Lithuanian Bishops’ Conference announced on Monday that the Pernai diocese has received two reports of possible sexual abuse of minors, as reported by BNS.

Canonical investigations have been initiated in both cases. One of the previously started investigations was concluded with a guilty verdict under canon law, and the cleric remains removed from priestly ministry. However, it was stated that this case was not classified as a crime under the country’s criminal law.

At the end of 2025, Lithuanian dioceses were still investigating five possible cases of sexual abuse. Two of these investigations began in 2025, while the other three started in previous years. This number includes both preliminary and canonical criminal investigations conducted by the dioceses, as well as cases where, in cooperation with civil institutions, the results of state investigations are awaited.

The Lithuanian Bishops’ Conference agreed last year on a unified data collection form, under which all dioceses in the country will annually provide information about possible cases of sexual abuse of minors by clergy, their investigations, preventive measures, and assistance provided.

A listening service for those who have experienced sexual violence in the Church began operating in the Archdiocese of Vilnius at the beginning of 2024. Discussions on preventive measures began in June 2023 after information emerged about priest Kęstutis Palikša. At that time, the news portal Delfi published a testimony from a 19-year-old who claimed to have had an intimate relationship with Palikša, then the chancellor of the Archdiocese of Vilnius, when he was 15 years old. He also claimed to have received unusually large sums of money for years.

In July of last year, the Archdiocese of Vilnius stated that it had received two complaints related to possible sexual abuse of minors between June 2024 and May 2025.

Arūnas Poniškaitis, the national delegate of the Lithuanian Bishops’ Conference for the protection of minors and vulnerable adults, said that such information is “responded to responsibly, contact is maintained with the victims, and cooperation with law enforcement is ensured.”

Last year, 17 training sessions on creating a safe environment for minors were held in Lithuanian dioceses. A total of 287 people participated, including clergy, monks and nuns, employees of diocesan institutions, parishes, Catholic organizations, kindergartens and schools, as well as volunteers.