Scicluna Confirms Tmis Story: Andrew Azzopardi Signs Safeguarding Commission Contract

Malta Independent
December 6, 2014

http://www.independent.com.mt/articles/2014-12-06/local-news/Scicluna-confirms-TMIS-story-Andrew-Azzopardi-signed-Safeguarding-Commission-contract-this-week-6736126941


Apostolic Administrator Charles Scicluna today confirmed that Andrew Azzopardi, who currently heads the English Football Association's safeguarding team, will be appointed to lead the Curia's new Safeguarding Commission, which will deal with alleged sexual abuse cases.

The Malta Independent on Sunday was the first to reveal that Mr Azzopardi will lead the commission last week.

Speaking on RTK, Mgr. Scicluna said Mr Azzopardi signed his contract with the Curia earlier this week and will start working with the commission once his completes his current contract with the FA. The other members of the team will be named shortly. The Bishop said Mr Azzopardi has the necessary background and experience in this field and said the Safeguarding Commission will start functioning in January.


Last week the Curia announced new procedures for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults. These include the procedure for alleged cases of sexual abuse by members of the clergy. The Curia said the emphasis is on education and preventing abuse and investigating any allegations in a short time, in accordance with national and church laws. The new structure will allow investigators to gather all information related to an alleged abuse case in the shortest possible time.

The announcement came in the wake of recent criticism of the Curia's Response team, which has been investigating the case of Fr Charles Fenech - a Dominican priest who stands accused of sexual abuse - for more than eight years. Mgr. Scicluna, however, insisted that the latest developments were unrelated to the case and the Response Team and procedures had been under review for the past four years.