Vilnius archdiocese meets lay Catholics after abuse scandal

LRT reported that the Vilnius Archdiocese has met with representatives of the Catholic lay initiative Svarbus reikalas following a priest sexual abuse scandal. The archdiocese also plans visits to parishes where priests accused of sexual offences against minors previously served.

Vilnius Archbishop Gintaras Grušas and Bishop Arūnas Poniškaitis discussed cases of sexual abuse in the Church, assistance for victims, accountability and prevention with members of the initiative last week.

The archdiocese said the meeting provided another opportunity to hear what people expect from the Church and what questions society is raising. Representatives of Svarbus reikalas promised to formulate specific proposals, which are also expected to be shared with other Lithuanian bishops.

The Vilnius bishops plan to visit parishes where priests Tadas Švedavičius and Ryšardas Peciunas, who are currently accused of sexual offences against children, previously served.

In mid-August, the General Prosecutor’s Office announced that it had sent to court a criminal case against Švedavičius, a priest of the Vilnius Archdiocese. The 56-year-old is accused of 34 criminal acts involving the sexual abuse of children, possession of pornographic material and involving children in drinking. The alleged offences may have taken place over more than 20 years.

The case is linked to another criminal case sent to court at the end of June. In that case, 51-year-old Peciunas, who also worked in the Vilnius Archdiocese, is accused of possessing pornographic material.

On February 26, a prosecutor from the Vilnius Regional Prosecutor’s Office imposed a temporary restriction on Švedavičius’s ownership rights over his property. In August, the Vilnius Regional Court extended the restriction for another six months.

According to earlier comments by Archbishop Grušas, Švedavičius acknowledges his guilt, has asked to be dismissed from the priesthood and has promised to compensate the victims. Peciunas denies the allegations.

The cases have prompted politicians and the public to discuss the possibility of establishing an independent commission to investigate sexual abuse and misconduct in the Church. Grušas previously told the news portal 15min that the time was not yet right to establish such a commission. He said the Church was not yet ready for it and that the main focus should currently be on creating a system to prevent possible crimes.