By Chiara Bonello
Malta Independent
August 23, 2011
http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=130888
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"I invite Fr Conrad Sciberras to sue me for libel if he so wishes, so that I may have the opportunity to reveal a lot more," sex abuse victim Lawrence Grech told the press outside the Law Courts yesterday, after having filed a counter-protest.
The counter-protest was a reaction to that filed last Tuesday by Fr Sciberras, a member of the Missionary Society of St Paul (MSSP), complaining about sexual abuse allegations that Mr Grech was making about him.
Mr Grech, one of 11 victims who have come forth about the sexual abuse by priests at St Joseph's Home in Sta Venera, told The Malta Independent on Sunday: "I and the other victims have nothing to hide and we stand by what we have already said about Fr Sciberras and his behaviour during our upbringing."
In the counter-protest he pointed out that at no point in the judicial protest had Fr Sciberras denied the allegations made in his regard; that he had sexually abused children left in his care.
He also reiterated under oath that Fr Sciberras had, in the summer of 1985 at the MSSP's Marfa residence, abused him, then a 13-year-old, and others, who can testify to this.
On the pretext of teaching a young Mr Grech how to swim, when he was in the water and could offer no resistance, Fr Sciberras would touch his private parts.
These are not mere allegations, he said in the counter-protest, as the Curia's Response Team has investigated the claims and found them to be "founded" and said the case would be passed on to the Vatican.
Mr Grech also pointed out that it was only now that Fr Sciberras had decided to do something about the allegations, which are by no means new, as he is sure that no legal action can be taken against him, since all his cases are time-barred.
Another two priests, Carmelo Pulis and Fr Francesco sive Godwin Scerri, were recently found guilty and sentenced to five and six years' imprisonment. A third accused, Bro. Joseph Bonnet, passed away earlier this year before the verdict was given.
Conrad Sciberras is another priest who is alleged to have committed sexual offences against young boys, but in the judicial protest he insisted that there have never been criminal proceedings against him.
He also complained about the seriousness of the sex abuse allegations made against him by Mr Grech, and commented that Mr Grech has lied blatantly and changed his version of events about the allegations several times.
Fr Sciberras has been investigated by the Curia's Response Team over sex abuse claims and a letter sent by the MSSP to the victims last year noted that the allegations against Fr Sciberras and two other priests were "founded".
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