Politicians in Vilnius are set to debate renaming two streets named after Cardinal Henryk Gulbinowicz, who faced disciplinary sanctions from the Vatican for his role in numerous cases of sexual exploitation of minors.
The Vilnius district council is considering changing the names of two streets currently named after Cardinal Henryk Gulbinowicz. One street, located in Nemenčinė, is proposed to be renamed from Cardinal Gulbinowicz Street to Gabrielius Janas Mincevičius Street. Another street, situated in the Buivydai municipality, is set to be renamed to Buivydžių Street. Gulbinowicz, a controversial figure, was sanctioned by the Vatican for his involvement in sexual abuse scandals and for hiding sexual offenses committed by other clergy members.
Cardinal Gulbinowicz passed away in November 2020, and his legacy has been marred by these serious allegations, which included a twenty-year cooperation with the Polish security services during the communist regime. Although he was posthumously granted the title of cardinal and served as the Archbishop of Wrocław, his name has been tainted by these revelations. A previous attempt to strip him of honorary citizenship by the district council was rejected in September of last year, igniting public discussion about his legacy.
The decision to rename the streets comes amid wider discussions on how to handle the legacies of individuals connected to abuse and misconduct within the church. Local politicians will weigh the political implications of renaming these streets, reflecting a growing consciousness about public accountability and the responsibility of historical figures. This decision could set a precedent for how communities address similar challenging issues in the future.
