Vilnius Archdiocese keeps priests accused of sexual offences suspended

The Vilnius Archdiocese has received official information that prosecutors have referred two criminal cases to court, with two priests charged over alleged offences against minors, LRT reported.

“Every report of possible inappropriate conduct involving a child or vulnerable person shocks and pains us,” Vilnius Archbishop Gintaras Grušas said in a statement. He said such cases affect victims and their relatives, as well as the wider community, and called for truth, accountability and concrete efforts to prevent similar conduct.

The archdiocese said it had cooperated responsibly with law enforcement and would continue to do so while respecting the judicial process, the sensitive circumstances of the victims and their privacy. The Church has also launched canonical investigations and informed the Holy See.

According to the archdiocese, the priests were and remain suspended from their duties. It said crimes against children must be reported to law enforcement and encouraged anyone who had experienced sexual abuse or other inappropriate conduct in a church setting to contact the Vilnius Archdiocese’s listening service for people who have experienced abuse at [email protected].