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	Sexual Abuse by Members of the Clergy: the Church’s Responsibility Malta Independent September 26, 2011 http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=132671 In a short statement last week, the local Curia made it clear that it does not intend to financially compensate the victims of sexual abuse by members of the clergy in a home run by a religious order. Two priests, one of whom has been defrocked, received prison sentences for the abuse on a number of children at the St Joseph Home; the judgment has been appealed. Since the court judgment two months ago, the victims of the abuse, through their lawyer, have made their requests for financial compensation. While they requested money to make up for the abuse they suffered at the hands of the two priests, the Church is prepared to only give psychological assistance, saying that it is not legally responsible for what has taken place. It is now evident that the matter has to be resolved in the law courts, and this only after the appeal filed on the criminal proceedings will be decided. Let us make one thing clear – no amount of money will ever erase the suffering and the effects of the abuse on the victims, but it does help to partially offset the pain and anguish. It is in this respect that abroad, the Church has resorted to financially compensating victims of similar crimes. Why the local Curia is thinking otherwise is anyone’s guess; possibly it is reluctant to accept giving compensation as it would indirectly mean an admission of guilt. Possibly it also does not want to create a precedent and ‘invite’ other victims to come forward with their tales of abuse. The victims’ lawyer, Patrick Valentino, said he was “disappointed, surprised and disgusted” by the Church’s reluctance to financially compensate the victims. Dr Valentino said that the Church is stripping the victims of their humanity and treating them as objects. What is sure is that the position the Church has taken is prolonging the case – it will take years to settle the matter. Given that the crimes committed have cast a dark shadow on the Church, this delay will not help restore the Church’s credibility. Perhaps it would have been better for the Church to give some form of closure to this chapter, rather than have the matter discussed and re-discussed in the media. The longer it takes for the matter to be closed, the harder it will be for the Church to regain the respect it deserves. Sadly, the behaviour of a handful of priests is overshadowing the good that many other members of the clergy carry out day after day with people in need and in their community.
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