Grušas accepts responsibility but will not resign

Vilnius Archbishop Gintaras Grušas says he accepts responsibility for sexual scandals in the archdiocese but does not plan to step down, LRT reported. He said only the Pope could remove him from office.

Grušas also said the Church received signals from law enforcement about possible crimes by a priest a year ago, but was informed only later that the allegations included paedophilia.

“Looking back, there were some signals at the time, but not in this area,” Grušas said, referring to indications that the priest had been drinking and that something was wrong. He said the allegations came as a shock to staff at the archdiocese’s curia.

He acknowledged that a bishop is responsible for everything that happens in his diocese, while stressing that protecting children is a responsibility shared by the entire community. Grušas said he would ask priests and deans to pay closer attention to possible warning signs.

“As the head of the diocese, I accept responsibility for failing to prevent this,” he said. However, he added that he would leave office only if ordered to do so by the Pope.

LRT Television will broadcast its interview with Grušas on the programme Dienos tema at 9 p.m.