By Kurt Sansone
Times of Malta
May 21, 2011
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110521/local/police-question-nun-about-alleged-abuse.366473
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| Lourdes Home in Gozo |
Police officers last night questioned a Dominican nun over abuse, informed sources said.
The sources said the nun was questioned by the Vice Squad over alleged child abuse in Lourdes Home some four or five years ago.
The nun was questioned at Pompei House, a home for the elderly run by the same Order.
The Dominican sisters are refusing to comment about the case. They are also refusing to say if the sister was brought to Malta today.
A commission chaired by Judge Victor Caruana Colombo in 2008 found instances of physical and psychological abuse of children perpetrated at Lourdes House.
Gozo Bishop Mario Grech had revealed the report while asking the nuns to carry out all its recommendations.
He had also expressed his sorrow and asked for forgiveness from the victims.
"The Commission arrived at the conclusion that in some particular cases there had been inadmissible behaviour involving minors that should never have taken place. The Commission also presented some recommendations that will ensure that such abuses will never happen again," the bishop said.
"I appreciate greatly the sterling work done with great love and dedication by a great number of Dominican Sisters in this Home, during its long history in favour of hundreds of children and their families. The Sisters continued to do this work even in times when assistance from social institutions was lacking. Many other children, now adults, attest to the fact that they experienced love and tender care in this Home. I sincerely hope and recommend that this Home will continue to give this service to the Church and to society," Mgr Grech said.
"At the same time, I have to express my sorrow for all that was of detriment to these children. I ask forgiveness from those who have suffered because of this behaviour. The Church wants to accompany these persons who were hurt by this behaviour. I have already appointed a team of experts who will accompany these persons in this healing process. I have already made contacts with the persons involved and will be closely following this process."
Following the abuse cases the Dominican sisters decided that Lourdes Home, in Ghajnsielem, would cease to be a children's home and would be converted into an old people's home. Some 10 children were rehoused to other homes.
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