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	August: August Brings Justice to Victims of Priestly Sexual Abuse Malta Independent December 31, 2011 http://www.independent.com.mt/news.asp?newsitemid=137537 Two priests, Carmelo Pulis and Francesco sive Godwin Scerri were jailed for six years and five years respectively after being found guilty of sexually abusing minors under their care, the extent of which was never made public before, a court ruled in August. The sentence has since been appealed. The court had heard how kissing and biting on the lips, masturbation, groping and even penetration were among the lewd acts that the underage boys were subjected to over the years. Initially, three priests had been facing similar charges however Brother Joseph Bonnet, 63, died during court proceedings that lasted eight years. The abuse took place in 2003 and preceding years in St Joseph Home, Santa Venera and a summer residence in Marfa. The court, presided over by magistrate Saviour Demicoli said it was disgusting to find out that children who already had problems in their upbringing were passed through traumatic times by people responsible for their care. Godwin Scerri had been acquitted of the more serious crime – violently raping a boy. The month was dominated by the sentence and reactions from the victims and the Church. Archbishop Paul Cremona apologised to the victims and highlighted it was the duty of the Church and State to reach out and help the “many more children who are being abused in one form or another”. While asking for forgiveness, the Church eventually offered psychological assistance to the victims but turned down requests for financial compensation. Labour calls for Claudio Grech’s resignation In the same month, Opposition leader Joseph Muscat called for the resignation of MITA chairman Claudio Grech after he was in charge of the PN’s ICT system at the counting hall following May’s referendum. Dr Muscat alleged that Mr Grech had full access to everyone’s personal data. Mr Grech rebutted the claims and said his public duties were not compromised. He categorically denied linking his public duties with other activities he participates in and clarified he did not have access to all government information. Mr Grech resigned from chairman of the agency earlier this month after the police cleared him of any wrongdoing. Three die in separate accidents A French teenager tragically lost his life as a wall collapsed on him and another after a motorcycle smashed into a crash barrier. A pillion rider is fighting for his life. An octogenarian also died as a result of a motorcycle accident. A 16-year-old male pleaded not guilty to the attempted murder of another young man in Paceville, who was hospitalised in a critical condition after being stabbed. Frattini demands Nato formal inquiry Italian foreign minister Franco Frattini demanded that Nato launches a formal inquiry into a report that a Nato warship in Libyan waters repeatedly ignored pleas to help hundreds of asylum seekers stranded at sea after fleeing Libya. According to various news agencies, hundreds of migrants on board the fishing boat which was wrecked on the rocks close to Lampedusa, were forced to throw into the sea the bodies of fellow migrants who lost their lives during the gruelling voyage. Migrants not forming meaningful relationships with Maltese Studies among beneficiaries of protection and refugees, as well as Maltese people have shown that most migrants in Malta never formed meaningful relationships with Maltese. At least some 1,000 beneficiaries of protection are estimated to be living in the community while another 2,500 are in open centres. 23 detainees charged over Safi riot On 16 August, the Police and Armed Forces had to intervene at Safi Detention Centre when a migrants’ protest for ‘freedom’ escalated to the extent that mattresses were being set on fire and stones hurled. The police and AFM had to resort to tear gas in order to exert some form of control over the escalating violence. Twenty-three migrants were charged in court with their involvement in the riot.
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