Clerical Abuse: Curia Replies to Request for Compensation, Denies Responsibility

Times of Malta
August 13, 2013

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130813/local/clerical-abuse-curia-replies-to-request-for-comepnsation.482012

The Curia said today that it could not be held legally responsible for the criminal acts made by former priests Godwin Scerri and Charles Pulis, who were convicted of child sex abuse.

The Curia was replying in court to a case filed in May where ten clerical child abuse victims sued the two former priests, the Church and the government for damages.

The victims did not asking for a specific amount but said they were  expecting the court to appoint an expert to identify what losses they suffered as a direct result of the abuse.

The civil lawsuit was filed by Lawrence Grech, Joseph Magro, Leonard Camilleri, David Cassar, Noel Dimech, Angelo Spiteri, Raymond Azzopardi, Charles Falzon, Phillip Cauchi and Joseph Mangion.

In its reply today, the Curia said the Church could not be collectively held responsible for the actions of Scerri and Pulis. Although the Archdiocese had pastoral responsibilities, it did not have responsibility for personal actions of its members which exposed them to criminal or civil actions.

Furthermore, without prejudice, the Curia said the requests were unfounded because the Archdiocese was not negligent and had always sought the best interests of those who were less fortunate.

Furthermore the Archdiocese was never accused, or convicted, of having committed this criminal act. It could not know in advance that some consecrated person was likely to commit a crime.

Lawyers Dominic Cassar and Joseph Brincat signed the reply.