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	Church Compensation for Sexual Abuse Victims: By Chiara Bonello Malta Independent September 8, 2011 http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=131705 The meeting held yesterday between Archbishop Paul Cremona and Patrick Valentino, the lawyer representing the victims of sexual abuse by priests, is best described as ‘disappointing’, victims’ spokesman Lawrence Grech told The Malta Independent. Speaking after the hour and a half long meeting, which was not attended by the victims, Mr Grech said that at this stage the best word to describe it would be ‘disappointing’, but did not rule out that this may change by next week. The meeting to discuss the possibility of compensation for the sexual abuse victims gave both sides the opportunity to clarify their positions, Archbishop Cremona told journalists outside the Archbishop’s Curia after the meeting. However no conclusions on compensation were reached; rather both parties will have the opportunity to consider their positions, before a final meeting is held next week. Both sides agreed not to divulge details of the discussion, but after the final meeting to be held next week, they will be in a position to speak out about the compensation agreement they have arrived at, Archbishop Cremona said. In view of the fact that discussions are still ongoing both sides felt it would be correct to remain prudent. Curia spokesperson Kevin Papagiorcopulo said that the meeting with the journalists was over after barely one minute. Questions put forward by journalists to both Mgr Cremona and Dr Valentino, as they stood on the Curia doorstep, were not answered. During the last meeting, held in mid-August, both sides had their say on the matter of compensation and the plan was that they would meet again in the coming weeks. Shortly after the last meeting, Dr Valentino rubbished claims that the victims were demanding compensation in the region of ˆ10 million, and said that such claims were harmful, especially in such a delicate situation. In a previous meeting with the victims Archbishop Cremona apologised and expressed deep sorrow for what the victims had been through, he also apologised for the length of time it took the Church’s response team to investigate the allegations. He also emphasised that it is the duty of the Church and the state to reach out, to help the “many more children who are being abused in one form or another”. Two priests, Carmelo Pulis (since defrocked) and Francesco sive Godwin Scerri were jailed for six years and five years respectively last month, after being found guilty of sexually abusing minors under their care. Mr 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 been defrocked by the Vatican. Fr Scerri, 75, was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment after the court found him guilty of sexually abusing two boys. He was acquitted of rape, due to a mistake in the charge sheet, as to where the rape took place. His case is being examined by the Vatican, and a decision is likely next month. The two have filed an appeal in the Maltese courts against the judgment given last month. Mr Grech has insisted that an apology will not suffice, and told this newspaper that this would do nothing to ease some of the effects of the trauma on some of his fellow victims. “I am not speaking about myself, as I have always been strong and managed to come through it, however some of my friends are leading miserable lives as a consequence and need help,” he said.
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