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Priest charged with defiling three children
By Matthew Xuereb
A 44-year-old priest, who is currently the chaplain of the airport chapel, was remanded in custody today after pleading not guilty to defiling three underage boys, participating in sexual acts with them and possession of child porn. Fr Donald Bellizzi, who lives at a convent in Rabat, appeared under arrest before Magistrate Josette Demicoli. He was charged with defiling the children between 2010 and 2013, when they were still minors. They are now between 18 and 19 years old. Police Inspector Joseph Busuttil told the court that the alleged abuse took place while the children were entrusted in his care and attended a vocation group that encouraged them to become priests. The group was composed of five boys but only three had alleged wrongdoing. CHARGES BEING 'STRONGLY CONTESTED' Defence lawyer Giannella de Marco said her client was strongly contesting the charges being brought against him. She requested bail but the prosecution, which included police inspector John Spiteri, objected due to the vulnerability of witnesses in the case and also due to the possibility of tampering with evidence. They said the witnesses all lived in the vicinity of Rabat and there were also witnesses who were priests living at the same convent. Dr de Marco said her client was prepared to move out of the Rabat convent and go live with his parents in Gzira until the case is heard. The prosecution said that until last week Fr Bellizzi was at the family of one of the youths. It said that the priest had sent several text messages to the mother asking why they were not speaking him and why communication had suddenly stopped. Similar messages were also sent by the priest's sister, the court heard. Dr de Marco said the alleged abuse took place between two and four years ago and there was no evidence that her client had tampered with any evidence in all this time. Moreover, her client had replied to all questions asked by the police. Magistrate Demicoli turned down the request for bail in view of the possibility of tampering with the prosecution's evidence. The prosecution requested the court to order a ban on the publication of the victims' names due to their vulnerability. Dr de Marco did not object but on her part asked the court to ban the publication of the priest's name. She said what the court had so far were simply allegations by three adults and nothing had been proven yet. This case will tarnish his reputation, she said. REQUEST FOR BAN ON PUBLICATION OF NAME REFUSED She also said that Fr Bellizzi's parents were both elderly and a frail state of health and the publication of their son's name could have consequences. Dr de Marco also asked the court to ban the publication of the convent where Fr Bellizzi lived, a request to which the prosecution did not object. Magistrate Demicoli refused to ban the publication of the priest's name, saying there were no reasons at law to uphold this request. She, however, upheld a request to ban the publication of the convent's name as well as the names of the alleged victims. CURIA ACTION In a statement shortly following the arraignment, the Church Commission for the Safeguarding of Children and Vulnerable Adults said it had forwarded this case to the police for investigation. "Whilst upholding the presumption of innocence, and irrespective of the outcome of the Court case, action was taken, without prejudice, to safeguard all parties. This was done in consultation with the Provincial of the respective Religious Order," the Curia said.
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