Church Remains Mum on Priest's Response Team, by Kurt Sansone, Times of Malta, August 7, 2011

Church Remains Mum on Priest's Response Team

By Kurt Sansone
Times of Malta
August 7, 2011

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110807/local/Church-remains-mum-on-priest-s-Response-Team.379056

St Joseph’s Home in Sta Venera. Photo: Chris Sant Fournier

The Church has declined to comment on its Response Team's dismissal of sexual abuse allegations against former priest Carmelo Pulis just weeks before he was charged in court with such offences in 2003.

Mr Pulis was last week found guilty of sexually abusing children in his care at St Joseph Home in Sta Venera and was sentenced to six years' imprisonment.

But the Church has failed to answer questions by The Sunday Times as to whether retired Judge Victor Caruana Colombo's position as head of the Response Team is tenable given these developments.

The investigation by the Church's Response Team in 2003 only came to light after it was mentioned in the judgment delivered by Magistrate Saviour Demicoli last week.

In July of 2003 Mr Pulis was caught by a care worker in a compromising position with a 15-year-old boy.

The care worker on night shift duty then reported the case, which was investigated by the Curia's Response Team headed by Judge Caruana Colombo.

However, the Response Team acquitted Mr Pulis and told him to "continue taking care of the children like an honest parent".

Weeks later, in September 2003, the police started investigating the accusations made by 11 former residents at the home, which led to charges being filed the following month.

The Response Team only concluded its second inquiry into the allegations of abuse last year – a full seven years after it started – and said the allegations were "founded".

Asked about the conclusions of the first investigation, which was kept secret, the Church, however, has declined to comment.

Nor has the Church said whether it is satisfied with the way the Response Team operates and whether it will reform its structures that probe complaints about abuse.

Contact: ksansone@timesofmalta.com