BishopAccountability.org
	Priest Speaks of Abuse Victim's 'Blatant Lies' By Francesca Vella Malta Independent August 17, 2011 http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=130582 Fr Conrad Sciberras, who was investigated by the Curia's Response Team over sex abuse claims last year, has filed a judicial protest against one of the St Joseph's Home sex abuse victims, Lawrence Grech, saying that Mr Grech has lied blatantly and changed his version of events several times. Three days ago, sister newspaper The Malta Independent on Sunday reported that Fr Sciberras threatened he would sue Mr Grech for libel unless he stopped mentioning the priest and his alleged involvement in the sex abuse cases. Unfazed by the threats, Mr Grech challenged Fr Sciberras to meet him and other sex abuse victims face to face, possibly on television. Two priests, Fr Francesco, also known as Godwin Scerri, 75, and (defrocked) Carmelo Pulis, 66, were recently given a five- and six-year jail term respectively after being found guilty of defiling teenage boys at two homes belonging to the MSSP. A third accused, Bro. Joseph Bonnet, passed way earlier this year before learning of the verdict. In the judicial protest he filed yesterday, Fr Sciberras, a member of the MSSP, noted that there have never been criminal proceedings against him, and he complained about serious sex abuse allegations made against him by Mr Grech. "Mr Grech expects the media and the public to believe him without them having heard the priest's version," his lawyer wrote in the judicial protest. On the insistence of Mr Grech and others, the Curia's Response Team had investigated the allegations. This was followed by an administrative process and a decree, which was issued by the Curia's Administrative Tribunal on 15 June this year. At this stage the priest is bound to secrecy as far as the decree is confirmed, as this still needs to be confirmed by the Vatican. Fr Sciberras went on to say that Mr Grech's allegations, which are being published and reproduced in the media in a persistent manner and on a daily basis, have been creating undue pressure and could also prejudice the case, which is currently under scrutiny at the Vatican. The priest said he hadn't taken any action against Mr Grech when, during a press conference at the end of the papal visit last year, he lied blatantly by saying that he (the priest) had escaped from Malta. Mr Grech knew that this was not the case, said Fr Sciberras, adding that he had changed his version of events various times in the statements given under oath. "Mr Grech's behaviour has now gone beyond the limit and this doesn't give Fr Sciberras the right to a fair trial," wrote his lawyer, adding that Mr Grech is being held responsible for damages. The writ was signed by lawyer Louise Anne Pulis and legal procurator Peter Sammut.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.