Critics press Vilnius archbishop over abuse scandal response

Vilnius Archbishop Gintaras Grušas has faced criticism from believers and clergy after responding to media questions for the first time in person since a historic Church scandal involving sexual crimes, LRT reported.

Povilas Aleksandravičius, a professor at Mykolas Romeris University, described the archbishop’s remarks as an “anemic repetition” and said Lithuania should urgently seek assistance from Catholic Churches in other countries.

Aleksandravičius said the country’s bishops appeared not to understand sexual abuse as a systemic problem in Lithuanian churches. He said the Church leadership seemed to expect the scandal to subside and warned that the problem would recur.

He also criticised the lack of a response to recommendations from lay Catholics, believers, clergy and experts after the scandal emerged. “Society was talking about it, but it was as if they did not hear it,” Aleksandravičius said.

Grušas has opposed the creation of an independent commission to investigate the matter, saying the time was not right for such an inquiry. He told the news portal 15min that priority should instead be given to measures preventing possible crimes, helping victims and stopping offences.

“I do not think the time is right for that. And I still do not think we are ready for it,” Grušas said.

A group of lay Catholics proposed establishing an independent investigative commission three years ago, after another scandal involving the conduct of a clergyman belonging to the archdiocese.

Aleksandravičius said he did not understand why an investigation could not take place alongside efforts to help victims. “Why do they not want to establish such a commission: are they afraid of something or simply unwilling? It looks strange,” he said.

He suggested that Lithuania consult Poland, France and Austria, which have carried out investigations into sexual abuse scandals involving Catholic clergy.

Vilnius Archdiocese priest Gabrielius Satkauskas has also called for an independent investigation and proposed creating a support fund for victims.

Aleksandravičius said the Church needed a “reset” and broad discussions involving theologians, philosophers, lawyers and historians to address recurring problems, including the image of clergy, relationships and financial transparency.