Olekas and Vilnius archbishop to discuss accused priests Friday

LRT reported that Seimas Speaker Juozas Olekas and Vilnius Archbishop Gintaras Grušas will meet on Friday to discuss information about people allegedly harmed by priests. Olekas’s adviser, Gitana Letukienė, confirmed the meeting to BNS on Thursday.

Olekas has already discussed law enforcement information about priests accused of sexual abuse and possessing child pornography with Prosecutor General Nida Grunskienė. He had previously said he had also invited Grušas to the meeting.

Mykolas Sotničenka, a priest and communications coordinator for the Vilnius Archdiocese curia, told BNS on Wednesday that the archbishop had cancelled planned trips and was arranging meetings.

President Gitanas Nausėda told LRT television this week that he also wanted to have an “honest conversation” with Church leaders.

Two cases involving priests accused of sexual offences against children were referred to courts this summer.

Priest Tadas Švedavičius is accused of sexual offences against 11 minors. According to law enforcement authorities, investigators recorded 34 criminal incidents, ranging from forcing children to consume alcohol to sexually abusing them. The offences allegedly took place over 23 years, from 2002 to 2025. The case was referred to the Vilnius Regional Court.

In a separate case referred to the Vilnius City District Court, priest Ryšardas Peciunas is accused of possessing child pornography. There are no victims in that case.