Abuse victims’ lawyer to meet Archbishop again in near future
Patrick Valentino, the lawyer representing the victims of sexual abuse by priests, and Archbishop Paul Cremona, OP, had the opportunity to have their say on the matter of compensation during a meeting held yesterday morning.
Speaking to The Malta Independent after the meeting, Dr Valentino said that basically both sides had said what they had to say about the situation, and planned to meet again in the near future.
He also said that in view of the fact that the discussions were still ongoing and because of the nature of the matter, he did not feel that it was right to divulge too much information. He would not comment on who was present, but said that Archbishop Cremona and himself had spoken.
Commenting on claims which appeared in the media stating that the victims were demanding compensation in the region of €10 million, Dr Valentino reiterated that such claims were harmful; especially in such a delicate situation.
Archbishop Cremona, who agreed to meet with Dr Valentino to discuss the possibility of the Church giving the victims compensation in an hour-long meeting late last week, apologised to the victims at that meeting.
He expressed deep sorrow for what the victims went through and apologised for the length of time it took the Church’s response team to investigate their allegations. He also emphasised that it is the duty of the Church and the state to reach out, to help the “many more children who are being abused in one form or another”.
Two priests, Carmelo Pulis (since defrocked) and Francesco sive Godwin Scerri were earlier this month jailed for six years and five years respectively, after being found guilty of sexually abusing minors under their care.
Mr Pulis, in his mid-60s, and who recently resided at St Agatha Convent in Rabat, was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment after being found guilty of abusing nine boys. He has since been defrocked by the Vatican.
Fr Scerri, 75, was sentenced to five years’ imprisonment after the court found him guilty of sexually abusing two boys. He was acquitted of rape, due to a mistake in the charge sheet, as to where the rape took place. His case is being examined by the Vatican, but he is also very likely to be defrocked.
Lawrence Grech, who has become the victims’ main spokesman, has insisted that an apology will not suffice, when he told this newspaper that this would do nothing to ease some of the effects of the trauma on some of his fellow victims.
“I am not speaking about myself, as I have always been strong and managed to come through it, however some of my friends are leading miserable lives as a consequence and need help,” he said.
“If the media could now turn its attention to what is happening at the moment rather than what has happened, we can together work hard to help other children suffering from abuse,” Archbishop Cremona told the media after the meeting.
Curia repeats 2003 condemnation of sexual abuse
“Sexual abuse causes great harm and suffering. The Church unequivocally condemns all sexual abuse, especially that of children,” according to a statement released by Archbishop Joseph Mercieca and Archbishop Nikol Cauchi on 8 October, 2003.
The Curia repeated this statement in view of media questions regarding Archbishop Mercieca’s position on the matter, when the allegations of abuse at St Joseph Home first emerged in 2003.
The statement had also confirmed that in such cases, more so when children are involved, the Church’s first interest is the protection and help of victims. At the same time it is also duty bound to point out that whoever errs, remains a human being with a right to dignity.
It recognised the fact that sexual abuse within the confines of the Church is a contradiction of Jesus Christ’s teachings, and asked for the forgiveness of all victims.
The Bishops had said that the Church was not interested in covering up these abuse cases, but rather wanted the truth to emerge, so action may be taken to bring an end to this abuse.
This was what led the Maltese Church to set up the Response Team, to examine such allegations, of its own accord and before anyone else, while leaving people free to go to the police if they felt they should.
While understanding the media interest in cases of human suffering, and the commitment of journalists trying to put such cases out there, to raise awareness, the Church strongly deplored all cases of sensationalism and lack of ethical principles.
In November that same year, on the feast of Christ the King, Archbishop Mercieca also said that the perpetrators of such abuse must not only live with the harm they have done to the victims, but the scandal of their actions and the damage this does to the Church and its credibility.
Again stating that such abuse must be condemned, Archbishop Mercieca also said that the repercussions of this grave sin are serious and widespread.
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