President on priests' crimes against children
Translated from Lithuanian, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda addressed the issue of sexual crimes committed by priests against children.
- He described these acts as crimes against humanity, stating that prayers alone are insufficient.
- Nausėda emphasized the need for joint action from both the Church and the state to investigate and prevent such crimes.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda has spoken out strongly against sexual crimes committed by priests against children, labeling them as crimes against humanity. He asserted that mere prayers are not enough to address this grave issue, stressing the necessity for decisive action from both the Church and the state.
"The Church and the state must investigate such crimes. The Church and the state must prevent them," President Nausėda stated, highlighting the shared responsibility in tackling this problem. He underscored the state's primary role in investigating these offenses and ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable and punished.
The Church and the state must investigate such crimes. The Church and the state must prevent them.
This statement comes as the Prosecutor General's Office has forwarded a case to court involving two priests accused of sexual offenses against children. The Lithuanian leader's firm stance calls for a comprehensive approach that moves beyond spiritual solace to concrete measures of justice and prevention.
The article notes that an easy-to-read version was prepared using artificial intelligence, developed by scientists from Vytautas Magnus University in collaboration with the news agency ELTA, and verified by an editor.
The state has the primary responsibility to investigate such crimes. The state is also responsible for imposing punishments.
Originally published by Delfi in Lithuanian. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.