Lithuanian Justice Minister: Vilnius Council Should Decide on Renaming Streets Honoring Cardinal Sanctioned for Abuse

Lithuanian Justice Minister Rita Tamašunienė stated that the Vilnius district council should make a decision regarding the renaming of streets honoring Cardinal Audrys Juozas Bačkis. The cardinal was sanctioned by the Vatican for sexual abuse of minors and for concealing crimes committed by clergy.

This statement comes after the Vilnius district council previously rejected proposals in April to rename streets in Nemenčinė and Buivydžiai that bear the cardinal's name. At that time, the council cited resident surveys as the basis for its decision. The government's representative for Vilnius and Alytus regions, Gedmantė Eimontienė, had formally requested the Vilnius district municipality to revoke the street names, and subsequently filed a lawsuit when the municipality did not comply.

Attempts to initiate the renaming process within the Vilnius district council have been unsuccessful multiple times, as the council majority opted not to discuss the matter. Proposed changes included renaming streets in Nemenčinė and Buivydžiai to Buivydžiai Street and Gabrielis Jonas Mincevičius Street, respectively.

Cardinal Bačkis, who passed away, was sanctioned by the Vatican in 2020 for sexual abuse of minors and concealing such offenses. Although his honorary titles and citizen status were revoked in Poland, three streets in the Vilnius region, where he originated, still bear his name. Minister Tamašunienė's stance on this issue has evolved; in September 2025, she previously stated she could not interfere with the municipal council's decisions, and suggested the Vatican's verdict was subject to varied interpretations.