MALTA
Malta Independent
Dominican priest Mark Montebello served as a go-between to offer a “six-figure sum” to the alleged victim of sex abuse by fellow Dominican priest Charles Fenech.
The Sunday Times says that Fr Montebello passed on the offer during a telephone conversation with Edgar Bonnici Cachia, who is assisting the female victim.
Recounting the conversation, Mr Bonnici Cachia said Fr Montebello offered the six-figure sum in exchange for the victim’s silence.
Mr Bonnici Cachia reportedly rebutted that neither he nor the victim are for sale.
Fr Montebello confirmed to The Sunday Times that the conversation did take place, but he was passing on a message “on behalf of a married person” whom he declined to name.
In October, The Malta Independent broke the story that the offer had been made by a member of the Dominican Order.
The case regarding sexual abuse on vulnerable women by the Dominican priest has been before the Curia Response Team for at least eight years.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.