Abuse victims prepared to meet Pope in Rome

The men who claim to have been abused by priests as children are prepared to travel to the Vatican to meet Pope Benedict XVI if the meeting they requested with the Pontiff does not take place in Malta.

"We will not stop until we meet him," Joseph Magro, one of 10 men testifying in court against three priests, told The Sunday Times.

Last Monday, the men, together with another alleged victim who has not filed charges, called for a meeting with the Pope.

The men, who spent some time at St Joseph's Home in Santa Venera, where the alleged abuses took place, had also called for a meeting with Archbishop Paul Cremona, who invited them to his residence in Attard the following day. Another meeting with Mgr Charles Scicluna, one of the most senior figures in the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of Faith, is scheduled for June.

Lawrence Grech, the only other victim to forgo anonymity, said he was "very hopeful" that Pope Benedict XVI would meet them during his 26-hour trip to Malta.

"I do not think he will turn a blind eye to what has happened," Mr Grech said.

He said the Curia's pro-vicar, Mgr Anton Gouder, had asked for the telephone numbers and addresses of the men, increasing his confidence that they would be called at any moment.

Although Mr Magro had all but given up on a meeting with the Pope during this visit, he still got dressed in anticipation of a call. "I got ready just in case," he said.

Both men believe that a meeting with the Pontiff would go a long way towards healing the pain they have been carrying for years, impacting their lives and that of their families.

"It would somewhat make up for what the others have done," Mr Grech said.

Another alleged victim, who did not want to be named, said: "Just like the other priests found the time to do what they did to us, the Pope should find the time to meet us."

He said the thought of the abuse remained at the back of his mind even as he rejoiced in seeing the Pontiff pass in front of his house in San Ġwann. Mr Magro and Mr Grech watched the Pope's arrival in Malta on television, with the latter saying he felt "great happiness" when the Pontiff appeared at the door of the plane.

"Seeing him here, on our island, was very emotional," he said.

Mr Grech admits that the experiences of his childhood have cost him his faith, but the meeting with Mgr Cremona helped him spiritually. Meeting the Pope would be even more beneficial, he said.

On the other hand, the unnamed victim is a fervent Catholic and an avid church-goer. Even though he already heard Mass yesterday evening, he will try to find the time to go to the granaries this morning.