BishopAccountability.org
	Congressman Breaks Silence on Abuse Malta Independent June 10, 2011 http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=126910 An American Congressman who had claimed he had been abused by a Gozitan priest when he was 11 and resigned in 2006 for sending sexually explicit internet messages to a former teenage male congressional page broke his five-year silence on the issue in an interview given to US network Fox News. Florida Congressman Mark Foley linked his abuse of a teenager to his alleged abuse by Fr Anthony Mercieca, now 77, when he was 11. After submitting his resignation, Florida Congressman Mark Foley checked himself into a rehab facility for alcoholism, among other issues. During his interview Foley apologised for his “horrific behaviour”. “It was wrong. I was wrong. But that’s all I can do. Apologise and pray...“I embarrassed my family, the staff, my constituents and the House of Representatives that I loved. I loved my job. I loved governing and being a part of the process. And I threw it all away. I have no one else to blame, but myself.” Mr Hannity asked Mr Foley whether the abuse he committed was due to his being drunk at the time. “No, it emanated from the sexual abuse that I received from a priest. I was 11-years-old. “When you grew up in the Catholic faith and you were taught the lessons of the, you know, 10 Commandments, do not lie. And the priest tells you first that this is good. Secondly, he suggests, keep it between us. And if you tell anybody, I will kill myself. That’s a fairly horrific burden for an 11-year-old.”
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