ŠAKIAI
   On May 4, 1973, Father Gvidonas Dovydaitis, curate of this parish, sent the following written explanation to the vice-chairman of the Šakiai Rayon Executive Committee, to its chief of security, and to the committee's secretary:

    "On April 24, 1973, I was summoned by the Šakiai Rayon Executive Committee to the office of Vice-chairwoman D. Noreikienė, who, together with the chief of security and the secretary of the Party organization, berated me.

    "On the following day, Father J. Žemaitis, Dean of  Šakiai, was summoned to appear before the rayon executive committee. He was told he was not to allow me to go to Plokščiai to perform religious rites. Aside from that, they threatened that they would forbid me to preach.

    "Although, as ordered by the rayon officials, I had hurriedly submitted a written explanation, it was not detailed. I therefore wish to answer more fully all of the charges against me, which I consider unjust:

    1. I was charged with preaching a sermon to the faithful during a retreat on the evening of April 16 of this year at Plokščiai.

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