By Annaliza Borg and Chiara Bonello
Malta Independent
August 3, 2011
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=129808
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Two priests were jailed for six years and five years respectively after being found guilty of sexually abusing minors under their care, the extent of which was never made public before.
Because some cases had taken place over 10 years before the victims decided to file a report, some were time-barred and could not be taken into consideration, according to the law. But in the court hearing yesterday, it was heard how kissing and biting on the lips, masturbation, groping and even penetration were among the lewd acts that the underage boys were subjected to over the years.
Lawrence Grech, one of the victims who had the courage to speak out in public about the abuse said that while he was satisfied that "justice had been done", the two priests were also responsible for the deaths and drug addictions of other boys. "Who is going to speak on their behalf?" he asked the media outside the Law Courts after the hearing.
Initially, three priests had been facing similar charges however Brother Joseph Bonnet, 63, died in January. The abuse took place in 2003 and preceding years in St Joseph Home, Santa Venera and a summer residence in Marfa.
Fr Carmelo Pulis, thought to be in his 70s, and who recently resided at St Agatha Convent in Rabat, was sentenced to six years' imprisonment after being found guilty of abusing nine boys.
Fr Francesco sive Godwin Scerri, 75, was sentenced to five years' imprisonment after the court found him guilty of sexually abusing two boys.
He was acquitted of violently raping a boy on a technicality. The victim alleged the case had happened in Marfa, the accused denied it completely and in testifying the victim later explained it had happened at St Joseph Home.
The court, presided over by magistrate Saviour Demicoli said it was disgusting to find out that children who already had problems in their upbringing were passed through traumatic times by people responsible for their care.
At 9am yesterday, most of the 11 victims who are now grown men some fathering children several journalists, police officers and lawyers filled the courtroom. This was the first time a number of the victims revealed their identity, expressing their relief after delivery of judgement.
Up till yesterday, proceedings lasting eight years were always heard behind closed doors. However, at the start of the sitting, the court gave a decree allowing members of the press to be present.
The accused sat almost motionless in the dock for a good part of the sitting, wearing dark blazers, with a cross on the lapel.
The court read out details of how a boy used to be woken up every morning by Fr Pulis kissing him on the lips while touching his genitals. The boy used to try and wake up before the priest entered his room, but he didn't always manage.
In those cases he used to pretend to still be asleep while the priest performed the lewd acts, after which he used to tell him it was time to wake up.
The boy used to feel very shy and often threw up when the priest left his room.
As these details were being given, one of the victims rushed out of the courtroom, presumably because the narrations brought back horrible memories.
The most recent obscene act from Fr Pulis happened in 2003 at St Joseph Home. It was nearly midnight and a care worker realised the door to Fr Pulis' room was not closed. Since the light was on, he went in as usual to say good night.
A boy was lying on the priest and although he quickly moved him away, the care worker noticed the priest's penis was erect and sticking out from his boxer shorts. He was only wearing a vest apart from the mentioned underwear and while the boy sat looking surprised and ashamed on the side of the bed, the priest kept talking about a visit to the trade fair that day.
The employee had testified that the boy had sheepishly remarked: "Look his willy is out!"
But, the same priest had said he did not have any homosexual tendencies and was "allergic to homosexuality", although the Church had taught him to be more tolerant. He denied under oath that he ever abused children.
Fr Godwin Scerri was found guilty of two separate incidents with two boys in Marfa and at St Joseph Home.
In its judgement, the court said Scerri used to approach one of the boys while walking in the corridor and touch his genitals. In the other case he had given another boy, 15, oral sex.
Scerri used to reward the boy with chocolate, money, cigarettes or buy him things in return for sexual favours and keeping quiet.
He had even offered him a cheque to keep his mouth shut. The same boy had experienced penetration from the same priest.
Fr Scerri denied ever participating in such acts and claimed he had been working as a missionary in Canada and the UK when such acts were said to happen. Yet his testimony on oath and stamps on his passport showed otherwise.
While Fr Scerri had pleaded not guilty throughout the case, Fr Pulis admitted participating in certain acts in his initial statement to the police.
Later he told the court such admission was registered because he felt afraid of the police, did not know what he was saying and thought such an admission would avoid him jail. He was on anti-depressants for some time.
'Justice was done I'm feeling a bit better' Lawrence Grech
"Justice was done now I am feeling a bit better," a buoyant Lawrence Grech told the press, hands held out in a victory sign, outside the Law Courts with the other victims, following the guilty verdict of the priests.
Leaving the Law Courts after Fr Godwin Scerri and Fr Carmelo Pulis were handed a prison term, Mr Grech couldn't hide his emotions, as tears rolled down his face.
However he remained positive, holding out a victory sign accompanied by his fellow victims, and said that although they had expected more of the verdict, they were happy.
Mr Grech said that the fact that the abuse was emerging, rather than remaining hidden, was a good step, but he said that there were other cases, and he hoped the verdict would encourage victims to speak up.
When asked whether he thought there could be more victims, Mr Grech said "I am 100% sure there are many other cases, but they must speak up about it".
He said that everyone is afraid of the Church, because of the strength it wields, but in this case the truth has emerged, and added that they were expecting an apology.
Now that the court has taken a decision, the Church process, which has been delayed for too long, must be concluded, Mr Grech said.
Mr Grech said that the Church had played a waiting game, to see what the Court's decision would be, and said that he was not satisfied with the apology, or with the pace of the investigations.
When asked if he feels the verdict can help lead to forgiveness, Mr Grech's voice broke, as he admitted that on his part he did not feel he could ever forgive the priests, as the pain was still there and they had done great damage.
He referred to friends of his who were with him at the Home, who have since passed away due to drugs and suicide, and said that the priests were responsible for their deaths.
"Who would speak for these persons?" Mr Grech asked.
Lawyer Patrick Valentino, who appeared for the victims, said the accused have already made clear their intention to file an appeal, which they now have eight days to do. In fact, they were free to leave the courts, on a personal guarantee of €5,000 each. He said that he thinks the punishment they received was fair.
Television presenter Lou Bondi, who has acted as a spokesman for the men, said the least the Church can do now is to defrock the two priests without delay. He also said that it should speed up the process and close the cases, both with regards to the Curia Response Team, which started eight years ago, and the more recent process with the Vatican.
Fr Pulis, supported by lawyer Giannella Caruana Curran, and Fr Scerri left the Law Courts some time after the victims had left. They were accompanied by their lawyers; they quickened their pace to evade the enquiries put by journalists.
Lawyer Joseph Giglio told the press they were satisfied that the court had ruled that two-thirds of the allegations were unfounded, and said that the decision on the remaining one-third was still to be seen during the appeal.
In a statement, the Nationalist Party youth movement said justice must always be done, regardless of who the aggressor is and emphasised that the verdict should not be allowed to cast a shadow on the Church and its members.
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