Archbishop to Meet Sex Abuse Victims on Friday, Times of Malta, August 10, 2011

Archbishop to Meet Sex Abuse Victims on Friday

Times of Malta
August 10, 2011

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20110810/local/Archbishop-to-meet-sex-abuse-victims-on-Friday.379547

Archbishop Paul Cremona will on Friday meet the group of 11 men who had been victims of sex abuse by two priests sentenced jointly to 11 years in prison last week.

The Church’s Pro-Vicar, Mgr Anton Gouder yesterday contacted the victims through their lawyer, Patrick Valentino, and they ac-cepted the invitation.

The Church last Wednesday indicated Mgr Cremona’s wish to meet the victims to personally ask them for forgiveness.

Lawrence Grech, one of the victims, said yesterday that having already met the Archbishop before he was not expecting anything “special” out of the meeting. “I shall go and see what will happen. At this stage, I don’t really know what I will say. I’m going there mostly to listen,” he said.

However, Mr Grech is determined to ask for an update on the case of the fourth priest, who has not yet been brought to justice. The case is still being investigated by the Vatican. Allegations against Fr Conrad Sciberras were time-barred and, therefore, he could not be tried in court.

Mr Grech said the meeting was unlikely to deal with the victims’ request for compensation. “(Mgr) Gouder told our lawyer it was too early for such a decision to be made but that the Church was getting legal advice about whether to provide us with psychological and financial assistance.”