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TRANSCRIPT
A priest accused of raping an 8-year-old boy in Detroit has been suspended.
Within two days of a lawsuit coming to light in Vilnius, Lithuania, where the accused priest is currently assigned, Abp. Gintaras Grušas announced he had removed Fr. Aloyisius Volskis from priestly ministry.
Lithuanian press reports the archdiocese had not received any complaints of Volskis’ ill-treatment of a minor.
According to press accounts, “The archbishop reiterated and stressed that even one case of exploitation of a minor or vulnerable person was too much.”
In the lawsuit filed Wednesday, John Doe accuses Volskis of drugging and raping him in a Catholic school’s teacher’s lounge in 2010, when he was 8 years old.
The suit says Detroit’s Abp. Allen Vigneron had been aware of prior abuse allegations against Volskis, yet allowed him to minister anyway at Bishop Kelley Catholic School, where the alleged rape took place.
The victim is personally suing the archbishop and the archdiocese for allowing the assault to happen.
Unlike the archbishop of Vilnius, who immediately suspended Volskis after a single complaint, Vigneron failed to act against a known accused predator.
Father Douglas Terrien, pastor of Immaculate Conception parish, connected to Bishop Kelley School, claims he had no knowledge of Volskis’ abuse.
Fr. Terrien: “I was never told of prior concerns about him. The rectory is a priest’s home, so he’s entitled to stay there until he is either transferred or kicked out of the diocese.”
But the lawsuit accuses Terrien of sheltering the accused predator in his parish, then concocting a story after Volskis fled the country back to Lithuania.
Lawsuit: “Father Terrien told the parishioners that Volskis ‘had a family emergency in Russia and had to go.’ However, a church employee revealed to Plaintiff’s mother that Defendants were hiding Volskis in the church rectory.”
Terrien gave his assessment of the archbishop’s policy of keeping pastors in the dark.
Fr. Terrien: “Yes, it’s disheartening.”
It’s unknown whether Volskis has other victims in Lithuania during the years he ministered as a priest. But his current suspension ensures, at least for now, he no longer has access to unsuspecting victims.
— Campaign 32075 —
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