Malta Today
October 5, 2011
http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/2011/1005/vatican-absolves-fourth-priest-in-st-joseph-home-child-sex-abuse
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| Mgr Charles Scicluna is the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith's promoter of justice, and handles the resolution of complaints of sexual abuse of minors by church personnel. |
The fourth priest in the St Joseph Home child sex abuse is having his ministry restricted to be with persons of adult age, because no "moral certainty" exists that he abused minors under his care.
The Vatican's congregation for the doctrine of the faith said it had confirmed the decision of the penal administrative process on the accusations against Fr Conrad Sciberras, saying that "since moral certainty has not been attained that Fr Conrad Sciberras is being found guilty of having sexually abused a number of minors in the terms of current Jurisprudence", a negative decision was given as to whether Fr Conrad Sciberras sexually abused minors.
Instead the Vatican decided that since evidence "gives rise to serious suspicions", Sciberras is having his ministry restricted to be with persons of adult age.
Fr Conrad Sciberras of the Missionary Society of St Paul is accused of having sexually molested the victims of the St Joseph Home run by the order, but has constantly denied the allegations.
Victims of abuse at the home for boys had made claims against Fr Sciberras and other members of the MSSP – Charles Pulis, Godwin Scerri and Joseph Bonett.
But he was not charged of any crime, while Pulis and Scerri were jailed for six and five years respectively, although they are currently out on appeal. Fr Bonett died earlier this year, before proceedings against him were concluded.
The victims of the MSSP sex abuse asked the Maltese church to take action against Fr Conrad Sciberras. A decree was issued by the Curia's Administrative Tribunal on 15 July, absolving Sciberras.
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