‘i Only Patted Their Shoulders’, Says Bormla Priest of Italy Abuse Charges

By David Hudson
Malta Today
September 2, 2018

https://www.maltatoday.com.mt/news/national/89204/i_only_patted_their_shoulders_says_bormla_priest_of_italy_abuse_charges#.W5FL185KiUl

Felix Cini, who pled guilty to criminal charges in Italy on child abuse, had been refused Maltese incardination

A priest who pled guilty to Italian criminal charges of the abuse of 17 children in an Italian diocese, has denied having committed anything wrong.

Felix Cini, who lives in Bormla after having returned from Italy in 2014, is still being granted special dispensation by the Maltese archdiocese to say mass on “special occasions”, despite criticism that the priest should not be allowed to carry out any form of ministry.

In 2004 Cini was found guilty for the “excessive attention” he paid to 17 boys and girls from the parish of Grossetto, but in comments to newspaper Illum, denied having done anything wrong.

“I only patted their shoulders… I used to help the altar boys get dressed. Giving attention is not abuse,” Cini said.

The children were between 10 and 14 years of age when they testified against the priest.