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	‘Many More’ Abuse Victims Need Help – Archbishop By Scott Grech Malta Independent August 13, 2011 http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=130362 Archbishop Paul Cremona, OP, yesterday apologised to the victims of clerical sexual abuse and highlighted that it’s now the duty of the Church and state to reach out and help the “many more children who are being abused in one form or another”. Following the Archbishop’s meeting with the victims, who were eight yesterday, Lawrence Grech, who often acts as the victims’ spokesman, said that the two priests who on 2 August were found guilty of sexual abuse at St Joseph’s Home in Sta Venera had filed an appeal against their prison sentence. Carmelo Pulis, in his mid-60s, and who recently resided at St Agatha Convent in Rabat, was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment after being found guilty of abusing nine boys. He has since been defrocked by the Vatican. Fr Godwin Scerri, 75, was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment after the court found him guilty of sexually abusing two boys. “If the media could now turn its attention to what is happening at the moment rather than what has happened, we can altogether work hard to help other children suffering from abuse,” a serene Mgr Cremona said as he spoke to the media on the doorstep of his residence in Attard, where the meeting took place. Following yesterday’s meeting, which lasted over an hour, Mgr Cremona said he will hold a meeting next Wednesday with the victims’ lawyer, Dr Patrick Valentino, to discuss the possibility of the Church giving the victims compensation for what they went through. Quoting from the late Pope John Paul II, Mgr Cremona said he told the victims “that if we hide mistakes, we will continue committing the same mistakes. But if we acknowledge our wrongdoing, we can start addressing and wiping out these mistakes”. He expressed deep sorrow for what the victims went through and also apologised for the length it took the Church’s response team to investigate their allegations. He added that both he and the victims agreed that it’s time to reform what happens in Church institutions once orphans reach the age of 18. Moreover, he said that the Church’s response team also needs to undergo a reform to increase the efficiency of its investigations. Commenting about the case against Fr Conrad Sciberras, another priest who is alleged to have committed sexual abuse, Mgr Cremona said that the response team has concluded its case and has passed on all the information to the Vatican, which is now expected to decide. Dr Valentino confirmed that criminal proceedings could not be taken against Fr Sciberras because they were time-barred. Last October, the victims received a letter from the Church saying their allegations against Fr Sciberras were founded. ‘Take stock of the situation’ – Lawrence Grech Mr Grech said that he greatly agreed with Mgr Cremona’s words in that it’s time to analyse why orphans are immediately asked to leave and fend for themselves once they reach adulthood. “Both the Church and the state should take stock of this situation because a lot of children are suffering in silence,” he said. He added that not all priests should be put in one basket, highlighting that the majority are a major help to society and their good deeds often go unnoticed. “I’m very satisfied with this meeting, although I stress that the apology from the Archbishop is unnecessary, since he did not do anything wrong to me. The apology should have come from Mr Pulis and Fr Scerri.” He added that the victims will continue putting pressure on the Church to take action against Fr Sciberras. Dr Valentino said the Archbishop prayed with all victims and said he is always ready to offer his help and support.
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