The Dominican Sisters implicated in the abuse of children at Lourdes Home, in Gozo, are expected to be removed from the institute by the end of this week, The Times has learnt.

Sources said it is the procedure that whenever such incidents occur, the persons accused of any shortcomings are no longer allowed to continue working with minors. No information was forthcoming on where they will be moved to.

"This move will put into practice the recommendations made by the commission set up by Gozo Bishop Mario Grech to investigate the fresh allegations of abuse," the sources said.

The home's operations have been shadowed by a cloud of controversy after a report, commissioned by Mgr Grech to investigate allegations of physical and psychological abuse, confirmed that "in some particular cases there had been inadmissible behaviour involving minors that should have never taken place".

The future of Lourdes Home remains in the balance as a tug of war goes on behind the scenes between the Sisters, who have informed Aġenzija Appoġġ they cannot continue running the home, and Mgr Grech who wants it to remain open at all costs.

Mgr Grech has also written to the civil authorities to express his wishes because the diocese cannot afford to lose the only home for abandoned children in Gozo.

The Bishop has been adamant from the start that he never wanted the home to close, especially after the Sisters' valuable work in the past, so the Gozo Curia has been working to secure this children's home.

"We are working together to see how this residence can continue operating as a home for children.

"I understand it's not an easy job but we're not here to choose easy jobs, we are here to provide a service to those who need it most," Mgr Grech said in an interview on the Church's radio, RTK, last week.

"I understand the number of Sisters is dwindling but I'm not disheartened. With goodwill and support from the state and its agencies, the home can continue to offer this service, which I feel we still need," he said.

Gozo Minister Giovanna Debono too would like Lourdes Home to remain open and she has signalled her support towards this end following meetings with all the parties concerned.

"We respect whatever decision is taken but if the Sisters decide to continue providing this service we are prepared to provide them with professional personnel in collaboration with all the parties involved," Mrs Debono said when contacted.

The Times contacted the Dominican Sisters' Mother Superior in Malta to establish the home's future but she preferred not to be roped into making any comments.

The situation is complicated because, while on the one hand the Sisters can choose to stop providing the service, the future of the home is not completely in their hands; it is a diocese project. Sources explained that Ġużeppa Debono first provided the service in 1935 and when she could no longer carry the burden herself then Gozo Bishop Joseph Pace offered his assistance and helped fund Lourdes Home, which was opened in 1947.

Since then the Gozo Church has continued to upgrade the home and when in 1956 Ms Debono became too old to administer the home, the Bishop decided to pass on its direction to the Dominican Sisters, which explains the present conflict over the home's fate.

Despite the struggle between the two sides, the process to transfer the youngsters who remain at Lourdes Home is gaining momentum.

"We have always refused to get into the debate of whether the home should remain open or not. We have to separate the future of the children from that of the institute.

As Appoġġ we look at the children's interests - they need stability and that's our responsibility," Joe Gerada, chief executive of the Foundation for Social Welfare Services, said.

"Nobody has offered a stable alternative, so we are in the process of finding the children new homes.

Being uprooted is never easy but the children are all Maltese and we are working to ease the trauma.

"I believe it's more damaging for the children if they keep receiving mixed messages on their future - the more we shelter them and keep them out of the picture the better," he stressed.

Social Policy Minister John Dalli said social workers have been present at the home every day, including weekends, to support the children during this difficult period.

"They have, together with the Appoġġ psychotherapist (who has had weekly group sessions with the children for over a year), explained to the children that they will be moving out of the home," Mr Dalli said.

The children have been informed of their new placements and the social workers have started to accompany them on orientation visits to their new home in Malta.

Mr Dalli added that over the last weekend the Sisters were provided with the support of an additional care worker because they were having difficulties coping with the children's behaviour.

Appoġġ social workers have also drawn a care plan for the children concerned, which will be finalised and implemented in the coming days.

"The ministry will continue to monitor this case closely," Mr Dalli said.

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