Gozo Bishop Tookactive Role in Priestlyabuse Investigation

Malta Independent
August 21, 2014

http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2014-08-21/news/gozo-bishop-took-active-role-in-priestly-abuse-investigation-6283624448/

Gozo Bishop Mario Grech personally called in the police over allegations that a priest had abused a number of girls in the past weeks and months, according to sources close to the Gozo diocese. It is understood that, at least one of the victims spoke to Mgr. Grech, who immediately asked police investigators to handle the matter. Police Inspector Sandro Camilleri yesterday confirmed that the Gozo Bishop collaborated with them.

The Gozo Bishop said in a statement yesterday that he had followed protocol indicated by canon and civil law and will act in the same way if other similar cases emerge.

In the press communique, Mgr. Grech said “any abuse case is a deep wound for the Maltese Church and society.

The Gozo Bishop said he is staying close to the victims and their families but said he understood he had responsibilities towards all priests, even those who commit mistakes, and towards God’s people, in particular minors.

The priest, who cannot be named by court order, covered his face as he was taken into the court building. He plead not guilty to abusing a number of underage girls, in cases reportedly going back a number of months and involving several minors, and was granted bail bail against ˆ5,000 personal guarantee and a deposit ˆ1,000 by Magistrate Paul Coppini. Police sources confirmed, however, that the police will be appealing the release on bail awarded by the courts of law. Unconfirmed reports said there will also be a challenge to the ban on the publication of the name of the accused.


Lawyer’s angry outburst

In the meantime, the priest’s lawyer, Dr Carmelo Galea, launched an angry tirade at one of our journalists when contacted yesterday. Before even giving us the chance to ask a single question, Dr Galea insulted the journalist and called him a “pastaz” and “tost” for “having the face to presume that he would disclose the professional secret.”

This media house also contacted the home address of the priest but a relative said “they” had no comment to make and the accused was not in at the time.


MUT says abuse was not committed at school

Media reports have revealed that the young priest taught at a secondary school in Hamrun, however, as far as the Malta Union of Teacher is informed, the cases of abuse did not happen within the school he taught at.

Following the public service management code, any teacher facing criminal procedures is suspended from teaching until the sentence is final. If the teacher facing is acquitted, then the teacher is reinstated and compensated for the salaries lost.

Therefore, at the point, the priest in question should be suspended from teaching.

In comments to this newspaper MUT President Kevin Bonello said the union was only informed of the case yesterday morning, however given it is summer; the union could not confirm whether academic procedures mentioned above have started yet.

This newspaper is informed, that a few years back, the priest started a scout group in Xaghra, Gozo, including both boys and girls. It is also informed that the accused was ordained in 2001.