Gozitan Abuse Case Priest Gets Bail Again

Times of Malta
September 4, 2014

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20140904/local/updated-gozitan-abuse-case-priest-gets-bail-again.534369

Fr Jesmond Gauci (left) seen with his defence lawyer.

The Gozitan priest accused of having molested three teenage girls in Gozo was today granted bail.

His bail, granted earlier, had been revoked following an appeal by the Attorney General.

He was released today because the victims have now testified.

Fr Gauci was arraigned before a magistrate in Gozo on August 19. A court order banning publication of his name was overturned on appeal.

In a statement, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests urged Catholic and secular officials to do their due diligence and warn families that Fr Gauci was free on bail.

"Being banned from contact with minors does not necessarily shield children. It takes only a moment for a predator to shove his hand down a boy’s pants or his tongue down a girl’s mouth. We beg families and officials to be vigilant.

Anyone who saw, suspects, or suffered abuse should immediately report to police and start healing."

The network is the world’s oldest and largest support group for clergy abuse victims.