The appointment of Kristina Zamarytė-Sakavičienė, parent of six children and long-term defender of life, household and human dignity, to the post of Deputy Minister of Justice of Lithuania was warmly welcomed by the Catholic community of this country. Its way from social activity to high-ranking politics is for many to witness religion in public life.
Zamarytė-Sakavičienė joined Deputy Minister Barbara Aliaševičienė, under the direction of Minister of Justice Rūta Tamašunienė, who took office in August following the changes in the coalition, as a consequence of which the Lithuanian Union of Farmers, Green and Christian Families was included in the ruling group.
Recalling the minute erstwhile she opened the proposal to take the position, Zamarytė-Sakavičienė said that she accepted it with "peace and joy", while acknowledging the nomination as "a milestone in her professional career, individual vocation and crucial responsibility". She added that although she had never pursued a advanced position, her motivation has always been "effective action for the common good and the protection of fundamental human rights". As Deputy Minister, he will oversee civil, procedural and administrative law, as well as mediation, criminal policy and the improvement of Lithuania's national legal system.
Faith in Public Life
For Zamarytė-Sakavičienė, public service and religion are not contradictory, but are parallel vocations. A Lithuanian politician, who by education is simply a lawyer and ethic, began her career in 2006 as an advisor to the wellness Committee in Parliament, then served as an inspector in the State Medicines Control Service. She later headed the Institute of Biomedical Ethics and Law, and was the manager of the Free Society Institute, an organization that promotes values consistent with Catholic social science.
Her approach to the law, as she explained, is rooted in human nature alternatively than in ideology. She stressed that "justice is not related to any faith; its content and the resulting responsibilities are not dependent on spiritual convictions," and that "the rights of man in their essence are nothing but demands of righteousness, that man may receive what is due to him according to his human nature." The conviction that justice derives from the fact and dignity of the human individual defined Kristina Zamarytė-Sakavičienė's political career. Thanks to this attitude, it was found in a tiny but expressive group of Lithuanian Catholics who, after decades of secularism in russian times, actively influence national politics.
Praise from Church and Social Leaders
The nomination of Kristina Zamarytė-Sakavičienė as Deputy Minister of Justice was welcomed by the Cardinal. Sigitas Tamkevičius, erstwhile political prisoner during russian rule. The priest appreciated the “clear Christian stance on life, household and sexuality” of the Lithuanian politician, and his attitude called it “an inspiring example for secular Catholics and all people of good will so as not to be passive observers of what is happening in Lithuania, but to clearly defend eternal values.”
Archbishop Kowna, Kęstutis Kėvalas besides defended her nomination from critics who claim that the fresh minister's moral beliefs may affect her professional life. "In a democratic state, no 1 should be humiliated or considered unfit to execute public duties simply due to their moral or spiritual beliefs," said the hierarch. He added that respect for freedom of conscience "is the foundation of democracy", and that discrimination against believers "not only violates their rights but besides weakens the full state."
This opinion was shared by Audrius Globys, president of the Lithuanian Christian Workers' Professional Union. He stressed: “Christians must confess their beliefs not only in private life but besides in professional and social activity.” Globys pointed out that the withdrawal of believers from public life weakens another believers. In this context he recalled the words of John 15:5, "Without me you can do nothing."
A imagination of a society “focused on the child”
Kristina Zamarytė-Sakavičienė describes her views as ‘focused on the child’. "I measure decisions taken by the state in accordance with the rule that the child's interests are the most important," she said, referring in peculiar to matters concerning household policy, assisted procreation and abortion.
She stressed that life begins at the minute of conception and that "children should never be treated as objects of desire or convenience of adults". Reflecting on contemporary bioethic issues, she warned that "now people think that the essence of the household is not raising fresh life, but alternatively adult feelings, their pleasant emotions, their interests."
With respect to extracorporeal in vitro fertilisation (IVF) Zamarytė-Sakavičienė expressed concern that “children are expected to adapt to adult decisions”, she stressed that “manipulation with human embryos stems from cultural changes that put the comfort, desire and interests of adults above the right of the conceived kid to birth and to life”.
Thus, the defence of life and household is not a substance of spiritual dogma for Lithuanian politicians, but a substance of justice: "Human embryos should not be treated as objects," she said, while appealing to the rulers to respect the natural household not due to spiritual orders, but due to respect for natural law.
photo by Erlendas Bartulis, Kristina Zamarytė-Sakavičienė with her husband and children on the March for Life in Vilnius, 2025
Serving the fact in Secularism
The Deputy Minister of Justice admitted that expressing Christian beliefs in politics could be difficult. However, he believes that moral fact does not should be imposed to be effective. "The fact defends itself," she stressed. "Just be her messenger."
By addressing young Catholics who wanted to engage in public service, she encouraged them to be courageous and authentic. "Do not be afraid to stand by your moral convictions, even at the expense of your career," she said. "Even if you bear this cost, fresh unexpected paths will open before you." Life, she added, “gets easier erstwhile you don’t hide your beliefs.”
The fresh minister asked what European societies request most present from their leaders, replied that it is not only about competence, but besides about affordability and ability to convey universal moral truths in a way that appeals to modern generations. "We request to find a fresh language and a fresh approach," she said, "to talk about fundamental issues in a way that people will truly understand," she pointed out.
Towards a culture of dignity
In starting her term, Kristina Zamarytė-Sakavičienė stressed that Lithuania's moral and legal renewal depends on the designation that human dignity is not simply a privilege granted by the State, but is discovered through the truth. "Building a fair society requires continuous efforts from both the state and the public to guarantee that they are all entitled," she said.
In a political atmosphere in which spiritual beliefs are frequently seen as an obstacle, Zamarytė-Sakavičienė mildly recalls that faith, reason and service for the common good do not gotta conflict.
"The fact sets us free," she said, referring to John 8:31. "Our occupation is to admit and service her faithfully."
Bryan Lawrence Gonsalves, Vilnius, Lithuania
Bryan Lawrence Gonsalves was born in Dubai. He is simply a Catholic writer and essayist surviving in Vilnius. As a correspondent, he cooperates with the media in the United States, Germany and Spain. He takes up Catholic subjects, writes about social and cultural issues in the Baltic countries. His work focuses primarily on Catholic social science, theology, human dignity and contemporary social issues.
