A priest from the Sosnowiec Diocese, Ryszard G., received a 2.6-year sentence on Tuesday, March 24th, for sexually abusing children during a 2024 trip to Italy.
Sentence in High-Profile Case
The verdict in the case of Father Ryszard G. was delivered on Tuesday, March 24th. The court found the clergyman guilty of sexually abusing children during a youth trip to Italy in 2024.
Ryszard G. was accused of three offenses against three girls, including two of a sexual nature.
Prosecution to Appeal
The 2.6-year prison sentence for Father Ryszard G. was deemed insufficient by the prosecution, which announced its intention to appeal the ruling. The priest also received a ban on approaching the victims and working with children.
Father Ryszard G. was not present in the courtroom when the verdict was announced.
Prosecutor’s Disagreement with Ruling
“I cannot speak about the details, but certainly in the case of one of the reported acts, we will deeply analyze the written justification of the verdict. Our findings differed significantly from what the court presented. We argued for a much harsher sentence, also in terms of financial penalties,” said prosecutor Bartosz Kilian after the verdict.
Trial Details and Prior Cases
The trial began in November 2025 and was held behind closed doors due to the nature of the charges. Father Ryszard G. is the latest clergyman from the Sosnowiec Diocese to face accusations of this type of crime.
Investigation and Charges
54-year-old Ryszard G. was arrested in April 2025 following a report filed by the Sosnowiec bishop’s delegate for the protection of children and youth. Initially, the priest was charged with two offenses involving violence, the first of which was classified as a sexual act, and the second as an attempt to force the victim to perform a specific action.
During the further stages of the investigation, the clergyman faced another charge related to another minor, concerning a crime against sexual freedom and morality.
Controversy Over “Pan Tadeusz”
A separate article discusses the removal of “Pan Tadeusz” from the list of required reading in primary schools, arguing it is no longer suitable for children. The article suggests the work is being presented in an overly simplified manner.
