Prosecutors send priest’s alleged sex crimes case to court

LRT reports that the Prosecutor General’s Office has sent a criminal case against a Roman Catholic priest to the Vilnius Regional Court over alleged sexual offences against minors. The priest worked in the Vilnius Archdiocese.

The prosecution is being led by Justas Laucius, chief prosecutor of the Vilnius Regional Prosecutor’s Office. The Prosecutor General’s Office said it would provide more information at a brief news conference later on Tuesday.

According to LRT.lt, the investigation has been under way since 2024. The alleged victims may now have reached adulthood.

In July, the Lithuanian Bishops’ Conference said it had received two reports in 2025 concerning possible sexual abuse of minors. The bishops declined to comment while the investigations were ongoing, and it was unclear whether the information had been passed to law enforcement.

Kristina Mišinienė, head of the NGO Center Against Human Trafficking and Exploitation, told LRT.lt that the Church’s approach was concerning because it appeared to acknowledge that the institution was addressing the problem while withholding important details.

“I will say it plainly: I see such a statement as a cat-and-mouse game. It is as if we want to mislead people a little while also saying that everything is fine,” she said.

Toma Bružaitė, a religion commentator and communications specialist who belongs to the Svarbus reikalas initiative, said believers also wanted a clearer position from the Church and answers on whether possible victims of sexual abuse were receiving justice and assistance.

“In my view, what is important today is to restore trust, both within the Church and in society,” Bružaitė said.