Police question nun about alleged abuse
Lourdes Home in Gozo
Police officers last night questioned a Dominican nun over abuse, informed sources said.
The sources said the nun was questioned by the Vice Squad over alleged child abuse in Lourdes Home some four or five years ago.
The nun was questioned at Pompei House, a home for the elderly run by the same Order.
The Dominican sisters are refusing to comment about the case. They are also refusing to say if the sister was brought to Malta today.
A commission chaired by Judge Victor Caruana Colombo in 2008 found instances of physical and psychological abuse of children perpetrated at Lourdes House.
Gozo Bishop Mario Grech had revealed the report while asking the nuns to carry out all its recommendations.
He had also expressed his sorrow and asked for forgiveness from the victims.
"The Commission arrived at the conclusion that in some particular cases there had been inadmissible behaviour involving minors that should never have taken place. The Commission also presented some recommendations that will ensure that such abuses will never happen again," the bishop said.
"I appreciate greatly the sterling work done with great love and dedication by a great number of Dominican Sisters in this Home, during its long history in favour of hundreds of children and their families. The Sisters continued to do this work even in times when assistance from social institutions was lacking. Many other children, now adults, attest to the fact that they experienced love and tender care in this Home. I sincerely hope and recommend that this Home will continue to give this service to the Church and to society," Mgr Grech said.
"At the same time, I have to express my sorrow for all that was of detriment to these children. I ask forgiveness from those who have suffered because of this behaviour. The Church wants to accompany these persons who were hurt by this behaviour. I have already appointed a team of experts who will accompany these persons in this healing process. I have already made contacts with the persons involved and will be closely following this process."
Following the abuse cases the Dominican sisters decided that Lourdes Home, in Ghajnsielem, would cease to be a children's home and would be converted into an old people's home. Some 10 children were rehoused to other homes.
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Mr C Muscat
May 23rd 2011, 13:25
Jien kontra kull abbuz jigi minn fejn jigi u minn ghand min jigi. Pero ma nistax nifhem il-hin li johrog kollox...kumbinazzjoni f'din il-gimgha kollox qed jinqabad u alla jbierek inhalltu abbuz fiziku ma abbuz sesswali u imberek alla kulhadd jghaddi lil kulhadd qorti tal-gazzetti. Ma nafx kif ma niffrankawx partita flus billi niffrankaw il-pagi tal imhallfin u l magistrati.
Ginevra Alvarado
May 23rd 2011, 12:24
Shame! The church is losing its value every day it pass :/
Mr Alistaire Gill
May 22nd 2011, 11:10
A new case is being investigated today.
Fred Vellaa
May 22nd 2011, 11:03
Yes. The sooner humanity realizes that there is no God, there is no heaven and hell, and all we have is this life and each other, I believe humanity will truly evolve to it's peak potential
Neil Lennon
May 22nd 2011, 23:32
My sentiments exactly. Religion was only made up to keep people scared so they would do as they were told.
All this blind faith makes those who follow it seem so gullable.
Demis Micallef
May 22nd 2011, 10:38
U dawn in-nies tal-knisja qed jghidukna li jekk nivvutaw iva ghad-divorzju naghmlu dnub!! Mela kemm hu aktar dnub l-abbuz mit-tfal, issimhom jisthu!!!!
Claire Busuttil
May 22nd 2011, 09:20
disgustanti!
Mr Mario P. Sciberras
May 22nd 2011, 08:57
"Police officers last night questioned a Dominican nun over abuse, informed sources said". WHY during the night? Was she going to abscond? I condemn very forcefully any abuse that is alleged to have been perpetrated but cannot understand why do it during the night.
Maybe I will be enlightened when I read the bishops' pastoral letter.
Alistair Busuttil
May 22nd 2011, 08:51
il-patrijiet,qassin u sorijiet ghandhom jithallew jizzewgu,dawn nies bhalna in kella fuq min se jizvugaw?
Mr SILVIO BONAVIA
May 22nd 2011, 14:45
Naqbel mieghek mijja fil-mijja habib
Mr Carmel Pule'
May 22nd 2011, 21:42
Alistair Busuttil, Jien ma izzewigt lil mara li ghandi biex "NIZFOGA!", Nemmen li hemm hafna izjed fond fiz-zwieg! Biex wiehed jizfoga , hemm qhab u prostituti kemm trid, jekk trid! u il-patrijiet , qassissin u sorijiet jistghu jghamlu dan jekk iridu, imma nahsed li hsiebijiet taghhom huma rikki aktar minn hekk!!!
Jiena nemmen li ir-religjuzi kollha xi darba ghad jizzewgu, imma mhux biex ikollhom minn fuq , kif ghidt inti, " inkella fuq min se jizfugaw!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Mr Philip Micallef
May 22nd 2011, 08:27
Wonder who is confused Mr Bishop. The more you try to lambast the people with your name-calling and degenerating speaches, the less credible you are. Instead of preaching to the masses who not try and clean your house first. What other skeletons lie hidden in the cupboard. The mind boggles.
Ms Louise Vella
May 22nd 2011, 08:11
See no evil. Hear no evil. Speak no evil. The Church prizes omerta’ and bishops still consciously cover up the identities of past and current abusers. The culture of omerta` is still widespread. The Catholic Church worldwide has pursued a deliberate policy of cover-up, protecting child abusers in order to avoid scandal, with no regard for the safety of children. The protection of children from child abusers should be a top priority for any society.
The church tolerated, sheltered, and covered up for child abusers for many years. The image of the church, which is to be defended at all costs, is the most important thing for the bishops and religious superiors. The abuse occurs because, at the highest levels of the Catholic hierarchy, those in power do nothing to stop it, to turn criminals over to law enforcement for prosecution. Internal church investigations have, too often, proved to be cover-ups. There is no good reason why priests and nuns should be treated differently from other child abusers, who frequently serve prison terms for their heinous crimes.
Mr SILVIO BONAVIA
May 22nd 2011, 10:28
While I thank all the cleargy stuff who do their work as it should be with innocent and vulnerable children I as a father harshly condemn these abuses committed by who is supposed to take care of these innocents and more who cover up their crimes, how is someone to believe in a church that is tolerant with child abusers this is one reason why our church is loosing ground each day,abusers should be brought to justice and punished more severly that others as it was their resposability that these innocents nothing happens to them,remember Jesus Christ words Those Who do things (good and evil) to these little ones is like doing this to myself.
Wake up before all churches are turned into museums as this is one main reason why our church is loosing all is credibility. Also were is the acknowledgement from our pope for the victims of saint joseph?
Mr Joseph Carmel Chetcuti
May 22nd 2011, 03:04
Pubblicita fejn jidhlu s-sorijiet. Fejn hi l-pubblicita fejn jidhlu l-patrijiet u l-qassisin ... u forsi xi whud ghola minn hekk?!!!!!!!!
Mr Emanuel Farrugia
May 22nd 2011, 09:14
Mela ma' tafx li dawn dejjem inqghdew bil-libsa? Imma mbierek Alla taghhom jippruvaw jahbuh u tieghi u tieghek jidher sew habib.
Emanuel Farrugia former Executive Secretary Mtarfa Local Council
Mr M Farrugia
May 22nd 2011, 01:38
proset M.P. Zammit, kumment meqjus u f'postu. Imma hawn min qieghed jipprova jaqla il-kadavri tat-tlettinijiet u tas-sittinijiet sabiex joskuraw il-Knisja.
Mr Aaron Vella
May 22nd 2011, 00:12
And the church should better start taking care of its dirty business before "teaching" the people how to live their lives. And yet, no word from the Archbishop on these abuses... The mind boggles.
Anthony Cassar
May 21st 2011, 22:46
So a person, who allegedly mistreated vulnerable persons in her care, was allowed to be in a home with the elderly, another vulnerable section of the population if for nothing else for the very fact that they live in an institution?!
When are crimes going to be investigated by the proper authorities i.e. the police?
Ms May Sammut
May 21st 2011, 22:08
Kif jista jkun li xi hadd jasal jamel atti indecenti lejn tfal innocenti?
Charles Bugeja
May 21st 2011, 20:58
Jekk veru, din is soru ma irnexxitx fil vokazzjoni u ghandha titlaq min soru minufih - fil kaz ta zwieg li ma irnexxiex, - vokazzjoni li ma rnexxitx- mhux l istess ghandu jkun,
Matthew P. Zammit
May 21st 2011, 19:51
Fil-waqt li wiehed jikkundanna l-azzjoni u bir-ragun, dan il-kaz ma jwaqqafx lill-Knisja milli tghaddi l-argumenti taghha fuq id-divorzju. Istituzzjoni soda ma ccedix minhabba zbalji ta' xi individwi. Ma taghmilx sens li noqghodu nsibu l-opportunita' li naghlqu halq il-Knisja biex niehdu kull ragun.
Iva jew Le ghad-divorzju tasal ghaliha mhux bit-tmaqdir imma bil-hsieb...
Matthew P. Zammit
May 21st 2011, 19:44
Fil-waqt li wiehed jikkundanna l-azzjoni u bir-ragun, l-argumenti tal-knisja dwar id-divorzju ma jaqghux minhabba dan il-kaz.. L-ebda istituzzjoni soda ma ccedi minhabba zbalji ta' individwi. Imbilli noqghodu nsibu l-opportunita' biex naghlqu halq il-Knisja m'ahna se naslu mkien.
Iva jew Le ghad-divorzju tasal ghaliha mhux bit-tmaqdir imma bil-hsieb...
Christian Sciberras
May 22nd 2011, 01:17
Matthew P. Zammit - I would agree with you except for the fact that most debates related to the Church end up being "there's no reason except that God/Jesus/SomeSaint said so" - in other words, an institution that pertains to be perfect.
That's a significantly different case from other things like NGOs etc.
The main problem is that many times, a piece of text is taken literally and without questioning, hence increasing the risk of introducing errors.
Mr Alistaire Gill
May 21st 2011, 18:52
No one in Malta would have dared publish such news just fifty years back.
The more the forces of darkness try to suppress the people the more determined the people will become.
Vote YES to be liberated from the forces of darkness.
Mr Joseph Aquilina
May 21st 2011, 20:03
You show how little history you know. During the 19th century the Roman Catholic Church and its leaders have been on the forefront on subjects such as human rights, and freedom of speech. Maybe you forgot how much the previous Pope did to liberate Europe from the nightmare of Communism. Maybe you forgot the work that several missionaries do in Africa to help these people come out of poverty. The only reason why you call the Church a force of darkness is that the Church has the courage to say the TRUTH even when it will be humiliated for what it stands for!!
Mr Alistaire Gill
May 21st 2011, 22:40
@ Joseph Aquilina
You made me laugh today.
"Your church always said the truth and was in favour of freedom of speech" that it declared Galileo a heretic for saying the truth that the earth orbits the sun and not vice versa!!!!!!
Lapsus Guz.
Mr W Cassar
May 21st 2011, 23:25
The problem is that through history the church as not always said the truth, but then how can it when its being run by human beings that are no better than you and me.
Mr Carmelo Aquilina
May 22nd 2011, 00:00
@ Mr Aquilina
You are the opne who knows iddly squat about history - the Church in the 19th century was a repressive dictatorship which had secret police, the inquisition, the index of prohibited books etc
Ms Rhonda Balzan Bastow
May 22nd 2011, 04:27
yeah, that was a long time ago though. Since then they are more better known for abuse. I think the 'forces of darkness' is too strong, but certainly, in many regards the church has lost the mandate of many catholics.
The separation of the church and the state is a good thing, because it gives civil rights, is more inclusive and helps people, catholic or not, think about their future as adults. For Malta andMaltese being able to be adults about their own future..vote YES
Philip Hili
May 21st 2011, 18:49
@ Alison Bonnici and Others
Tahsbu li billi qeghdin taghmlu dawn il-kummenti qeghdin tghinu biex haddiehor li ma jemminx fil-kawza taghkom tipperswaduh biex isir jemmen fil-kawza li temnu fiha intom?
Komplu sparlaw halli izjed issahhu l-argumenti favur il-LE.
Grazzi hafna talli qeghdin tifthu ghajnejn hafna nies!!
MT Caruana
May 21st 2011, 21:59
Sur Hili,
Nahseb iktar bil kontra jien, illum fil quddiesa smajna il pastorali ta Isqof , balla diskors kontra id divorzju.
Ma smajt l ebda kelma li jirigwarda l abbuz fuq tfal!!!! Mela tfal go istitut mhux parti mis socjeta?
Dawn ghada iridu jifurmaw familja huma.
Smajt fuq news later on li kien hemm min talab li dal kaz ma jsirx hafna fuss fuqu minhabba li jista jaghmel hsara lil ta LE ghad divorzju, u jekk dan li smajt hu minnu , veramnet tal misthijha.
Mela jekk tivota ghad divorzju huwa dnud u ma tistax tisejjah nisrani.
Mela x jissejah dak li jipruva jatti dan l abbuz minhabba ir referendum.
Dan kollu bullshit, u verament ISTHU JEKK TAFU KIF !!!!!
Tama f Alla ghandi u bi shih, imma f min imexxi l knisja maltija , fiducja xejn xejn.
Alison Bonnici
May 21st 2011, 18:21
X'ma tibkiex il-Madonna.... vera tal-misthija ehh, imbad jghamlu ghageb duq id-divorzju li qieghed hemm biex jghin familji mkissra biex jibnu hajja mil-gdid. Ahjar ma tindahlux iktar fuq divorzju ghax qed itbeghdu hafna nies mil-knisja kattolika.
Ms Agnes Bezzina
May 21st 2011, 18:04
How ridiculous to bring up divorce arguments in relation to a case of the sort! I would be very hurt if I were one of the victims, and if I had to see that my suffering is being utilised for other motives, which have nothing to do with addressing the sad reality of child abuse!
Joseph Farrugia
May 21st 2011, 18:46
Divorce arguments are very relevant.....because the Catholic church decided to interfere in a legal & social issue, worse......participate in the political & politicization of the referendum!
The church cast the stone into the water, & now you expect the water to produce no ripples at all?
Marianne Tabone
May 21st 2011, 19:23
Jien nixtieq naf kif il-Knisja qeghda timponi l-fehma taghha fuq in-nies fuq id-divorzju! Jekk bniedem jew ghaqda taghti l-fehma taghha fuq xi kwistjoni hi x'inhi dan jissejjah impozizzjoni? Jien naf li jien wahdi se nkun meta nivvota u hadd mhu gej mieghi halli jimponi fuqi kif ghandi nivvota! Skuzawni ta! Imma aktar kemm jghaddi z-zmien aktar donnu li dawk li huma favur id-dhul ta' din il-ligi aktar qeghdin isiru isterici! u fuq kollox x'ghandu x'jaqsam id-divorzju ma' din is-soru u l-atti taghha jekk hi tassew hatja!! Ma nistax nifhem! Biex naghmilha cara jien kontra d-dhul tad-divorzju f'Malta l-aktar ghax sar kollox ta' malajr minghajr spjega sewwa miz-zewg nahat! Hafna nies anqas biss fehmu ghal xiex se jkunu qeghdin jivvutaw! Imma xi whud lesti li jippruvaw jiehdu vantagg minn kull haga li tigri biex jghidu li d-divorzju ghandu jidhol! Halluna tridux!
Mrs Lucia Vella Vella
May 21st 2011, 20:05
huwa tad dwejjaq meta tfal jigu abbuzati izda huwa gravissimu meta dan isir min xi qassis jew soru li dawn suppost jghallmu u jihdu hsieb lil dawn it tfal u aktar aghar meta tisma li saret pressjoni mill-knisja biex din ma tissemmix ghalhekk iqumu dawn l-argument ghax il knisja flok tara xi griefex ghandha le tipprova tindahal xjigri fil pajjiz
maria grech ganado
May 21st 2011, 23:02
Hear Hear! But in Malta we don't know how to separate an issue from its conductor - it's almost as though we delight in pain or sorrow if we can make a weapon of it.
mario spiteri
May 21st 2011, 18:03
Justice delayed is justice denied ...then the usual chorus of apologetics blame the journalists for the wrong timing!!
Who knows maybe the nun involved will be 'found' innocent in time for the referendum...Good timing then?
The Church indeed has a mission for its followers but no right to impose, dictate and bring back the infamous inquisition.
Meddling religio/politico pundits all with vested interests cannot spare the Church the continous embarrassment which I am sure will prevail from the pulpits up till the veritable 11th hour before we go to the polls.
Now how is that for a blatant disregard of the Corrupt Practices Act that should ensure a fair referendum !!!
It is all about POWER and they would WANT US ALL TO BELIEVE THAT IT IS IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER!!
Why is it so straight forward and affordable (less than 400 euros) for a couple married in England or Italy in the RC Church to obtain an annulment after the Curia in these Euopean countries and others after the Church requests specifically that he couple obtain a divorce decree from the state first?
Why is the Curia in Malta so different? but yet with an annulment in hand from an RC Chruch in Europe any Maltese divorcee can even be allowed to marry in Church in Malta!!
Mario Spiteri
Mr Tonio Micallef
May 21st 2011, 16:55
Qed taraw minn x'hiex ghandna nibzghu ghal-ULIEDNA. Mela mid-divorzju li juzah biss min ghandu bzonnu!
Mr Carmel Debono
May 21st 2011, 16:48
Imma fuq id divorzu l-Ecc. Tieghu Mons Isqof Grech ghamel fuss shieh?
Mr Denis Pace
May 21st 2011, 20:45
thallatx hass ma minestra, siehbi
Mr Joseph Aquilina
May 21st 2011, 16:23
What great timing indeed!!
Mr Joseph E Briffa
May 21st 2011, 17:20
Perfect timing Kurt. Would you publish this?
Mr Joseph Brincat
May 22nd 2011, 11:37
Would you have preferred that he would have kept it a secret?
(jb)
Philip Hili
May 21st 2011, 16:13
I don't know. Sometimes I am confused and although I try to do my best in order not to be dragged to the conclusion that certain stories in our newspaper are published by "certain" reporters at the appropriate time, I have to admit that this is what is happening.
Mr Edward Camilleri
May 21st 2011, 16:33
Could be, why not! It took the catholic church more than a decade to 'investigate'. Why didn't the church report to the police and let them investigate?
Ms Manquareiel de Caveden
May 21st 2011, 17:07
So according to you is it some plot of the editor to have the police question the nun yesterday so that the story could be published today? Quite a contrived conspiracy theory you seem to pushing here!
Philip Hili
May 22nd 2011, 00:26
@Ms Manquareiel de Caveden
If you think so, you are right. I only stated facts. But when I saw that there are others who think the way I do,
"KOLLOX POSSIBBLI".
Mr Ray Calleja
May 21st 2011, 15:49
Good timing indeed! L-aqwa li nuzaw lit-tfal fil-billboards kontra d-divorzju imbaghad jibqghu ifeggu dawn l-istejjer ta' abbuz tat-tfal. Izda l-aghar bicca hi li kollox jindifen u ma tittiehed l-ebda azzjoni qisu qatt ma kien xejn.
Mr Joseph Aquilina
May 21st 2011, 16:43
Read the article again. This case was first reported four to five years ago and wonder of wonders the police decided to question the nun (after a report has already been made) one week before a national referendum related to divorce – in which the Church has a clear position. Could this be because someone want to confuse people and turn this referendum in a pro-or-against stance on the Church!!?
Mr Alistaire Gill
May 21st 2011, 15:45
Min jitkaza jaqa fil-kaza!
Mr Charles.C. Brown
May 21st 2011, 16:13
Too right, you deserve a drink over this comment.
Mr Alistaire Gill
May 21st 2011, 15:44
Better late than never.
It's time to separate the Church from the State.
We cannot have anymore a state within a state.
Give God what is God's and give Caeser what is Ceaser's.
That's why I am voting YES with conviction.
Mr Alex Buds
May 21st 2011, 17:49
Agreed. 100%.
If only the Maltese population were all mature enough to understand the need for separation between Church and State. As the religious fundamentalists posting on these boards make clear, many are far from it...
Mr James Rizzo
May 21st 2011, 15:35
x'ma tibkix il-Madonna. Imbghad qajmu paniku fuq id-divorzju! Ma nafx lil min naqbad nemmen...naf biss li l-knisja ghadnha zewg ucuh.
Salvatore Enriquez
May 21st 2011, 17:53
Jien wiehed minnom
Mr Saviour falzon
May 21st 2011, 15:26
"At the same time, I have to express my sorrow for all that was of detriment to these children. I ask forgiveness from those who have suffered because of this behaviour. The Church wants to accompany these persons who were hurt by this behaviour. I have already appointed a team of experts who will accompany these persons in this healing process. I have already made contacts with the persons involved and will be closely following this process."
***************************************
What? team of experts by them?
This must stop. What is this? The matter must be handled by the police than to court of criminal justice.
They are all humans just like us. NO ONE IS ABOVE THE LAW. ALL MUST BE ARRAIGNED TO COURT, AND INNOCENT UNTIL FOUND GUILTY.
THE CONSTITUTION MUST BE ARRANGED.
Ms Manquareiel de Caveden
May 21st 2011, 17:09
I agree! Is the law not equal for everyone? Why is this subversive group of individuals allowed to harm our children and not suffer the same punishment as befits a criminal... team of experts appointed by the head of this same Church?! Oh please... how gullible do the think people are?!
Charlie Borg
May 21st 2011, 15:14
I see this from two fronts.
As a Christian and a 'part-time Catholic', I grieve over the fact that a religious person has to be treated in this manner - I have been bred to believe that priests and religious are of a higher, moral fabric than the rest of us and cannot accept that such things should be given coverage in this manner.
That having been said, the person in question has not been detained while we know that lay people, accused of very minor and stupid things - such as the use of a local council laptop! - were submitted to infinitely worse treatment.
Mr Ernest Vella
May 21st 2011, 15:01
Jiena kont imur Pre-School ghand is-sorijiet Haz-Zebbug u qatt ma gejt mal trattat...kont imur l-iskola tal-Pillar u qatt ma gejt mal-trattat anzi kienu jiehdu hsiebi u jedukawni b'mod tajjeb u meta gejt biex nitlaq vera ddispjacini. Mill-Knisja dejjem gid rajt biex ma nsemmiex li ma diversi ghaqdiet tal-Knisja bhal Museum u l-Legion mhux talli kont trattat tajjeb talli ma kienu jippretendu xejn min ghandna. Jekk persuna zbaljat, dan ma jwaqax ix-xoghol kollu li jkun twettaq. Ovjament, min jikser il-ligi jird ihallas imma l-kampanja medjatika kontra l-Knisja mhux qeghda tghid biex il-hati biss jehel, imma maghhom tehel il-Knisja kollha...u dan mhux sewwa
Charlie Borg
May 21st 2011, 15:36
Emmm... fejn hi l'kampanja medjatika kontra l-Knisja'????? Zgur li mhix gejja minn Allied Newspapers Ltd! Iddahhaqniex.
Mr Martin Saliba
May 21st 2011, 16:42
Mux kwistjoni ta kampanja kontra il knisja ghax il knisja maghmula minn hafna qassisin u sorijiet id dedikati hafna ghal misjoni li ghazlu ghal hajitom , il problema hi ta certu nies , fundamentalisti imgienen still ta taliban , f'karigi gholjin fi hdan il knisja li alla hares konna ed nighxu fi seklu 15 jew 16 ghax kieku ikun ghalijom tajdx kemm jinharqu nies kif jighdu bl inglis " at the stake "
Edwin Saliba
May 21st 2011, 14:53
The parish church espacially gozo's archbishop should take a note of this act! and not tell children in their holy confirmation and do a whole homely about not agreeing to divorce!
Mr Chris Grillo
May 21st 2011, 14:49
Where is Joe 'Holier Than Thou' Zammit now?
Mr Vincent Cassar
May 21st 2011, 14:52
He's busy preparing for the battle between good and evil :)
Mr Joseph Calleja
May 21st 2011, 17:24
Maybe he is preparing for the fight against cohabitation... Another big sin, good against evil, right Joe?
Mr Paul Barrett
May 21st 2011, 17:27
No - he is resting - the battle is already won :-)
Mr Joseph Calleja
May 21st 2011, 14:46
Physical and psychological abuse of children perpetrated at Lourdes House! Physical and psychological abuse used to run in most catholic institutions including colleges. I remember a certain Brother always carried that 2 foot long black stick to enforce discipline on students. Got hit a few times myself. Ouch
Mr Joseph Aquilina
May 21st 2011, 16:48
I used to go to a government school and the same thing happened!!
Claudia Agius
May 22nd 2011, 01:31
i'm all out against any sort of abuse and if anyone needs to be justiced I'm certainly the one who thinkd they should be... but it's unfair to generalize... I work in an institution led by the church and there's no such thing as a father or brother who carries black sticks... on the contrary the fathers and brothers I have worked with have always been very good role models for children and I never saw any one of them harm in any way, any child... I'm not saying there aren't bad ones but let's try not to generalize cause it's very unfair
Mr Edward Camilleri
May 21st 2011, 14:41
@He had also expressed his sorrow and asked for forgiveness from the victims.
I thought that the members of the catholic church never make a mistake! The Bishop is asking for forgiveness (from abuse of children for several years!) and at the same time does not want to give a second chance to couples that marry the wrong partner or encounter difficulties in their marriage. No they have to endure the hardship they are in forever, until death do us apart! Or if they have €6000 to throw away, then they can be processed via annulment proceedings for about 5-6 years.
What a pathetic lot! Those that have abused children should be brought in front of the law, and if found guilty, thrown in the gallows like they used to do during the inquisitions for much smaller misdemeanors. Why should members of the catholic church be treated different than normal citizens? Canon law should be abolished, it is only there to protect the catholic church’s elite!
Mr Michael Buhagiar
May 21st 2011, 14:55
imma kemm inti redikolu ghax is-sorijiet u s-sacerdoti mhux umani bhalek u bhali. Ghaliex dan l-agha kollu meta ghal bniedem ta' 67 sena li kkorrompa tfal taht l-eta u ffilmjahom gharwenin HADD MA JITKELLEM L-INQAS IL-GURNALI LIBERALI LI GHANDNA. DAK HUWA L-GHAJB U L-ANTI KLERIKALIZMU U L-HDURA TA' CERTU SEZZJONIJIET KONTRA R-RELIGJON KATTOLIKA. Ghax mhuix kulhadd taht l-istess kappa tax-xemx qieghed. Ipokrisija grassa iktar minn din ghad irrid nara.
Philip Hili
May 21st 2011, 15:47
Edward Camilleri
I do not know your age and it does not interests me. What interests me is the childish comments you post on this page. This is not the first silly comment posted by you, and that's why I am replying to your feeble comments.
What is your argument? Correct me if I am wrong, are you saying that "the second chance" being proposed (after 4 years ....sic) by your movement is the same chance one should be given is one commits abuses of this sort, always if one is found guilty? Or you are trying to find any poor, feeble excuse to justify your desire for the introduction of divorce? Or are you saying that a mistake should be corrected by another mistake?
Yes, I agree with you that those who had abused children should be brought to justice and punished. But I and maybe other child's parents do not agree that these abusers should continue to take care of our children "in order to give them another chance" as you gave the impression that the authorities should do and by doing so you justify your cry for a second chance to couples by the introduction of divorce!!!
Philip Hili
May 21st 2011, 15:58
@ Michael Buhagiar
Taf ghalfejn imma sur Buhagiar?
Ghax l-agneda ta' dawn in-nies hija li jattakkaw dak kollu li ghandu x'jaqsam mal-knisja. L-antikelikaliznu bhalissa jifforixxi qieghed u ma' l-ewwel tibna li jsibu, jfittxu jiggranfaw maghha.
Pero' is-sabieha hi li meta xi hadd bhal L-Ecc. Tieghu Mons Isqof Grech jikkwotalhom xi frazi mill-bibja u japplikaha ghal dawn it-tip ta' nies, dawn jiehdu ghalihom!!. Ara veru "oqra mbajda"
Alfred Vassallo
May 21st 2011, 16:16
''ghax is-sorijiet u s-sacerdoti mhux umani bhalek u bhali''
Le mhmiex umani bhallek u bhalli ghax il majoranza ta nies jekk jaghmlu x'haga hekk itelghawhom il Qorti u lil dawn u it-talli ohrajn (il knisja) jaraghaw kif jahbuwa biex forsi taqa fuq omma.
Marianne Tabone
May 21st 2011, 19:25
Mr. Camilleri il-ahwa xi thawwad xbin!! X'ghandu x'jaqsam? U l-Knisja fuq affarijiet ta' domma ma tizbaljax u mhux fuq kollox li jigri permezz ta' membri taghha!! Ahseb qabel tikteb!
Mr JOSEPH ZAMMIT
May 21st 2011, 20:09
@ M Buhagiar.
Cool down man!
If a non-cleric abuses children---he is not fit to live in society.
If a cleric abuses children, humm? everyone can make a mistake, after all he/she is only human.
Grow up and face facts!
Victor Pulis
May 21st 2011, 20:43
@ Michael Buhagiar
Le sur Buhagiar, Il qassisin mhux bhali u bhalek. Dawn qeghdin hemm flok Alla nnifsu. Dak li halaq l-univers tiftakar?! Xi pruzunzjoni u x'arroganza. Dawn kif ghedt int huma semplici umani u m'ghandhom xejn specjali hlief li huma l-fuq mill ligi. ha nghidlek x'kien iddikjara il papa Bonifacju fl 1302 fil bolla Unum Sanctum;
'Therefore, if the earthly power errs it shall be judged by spiritual power..but if the supreme spiritual power errs it can be judged only by God and not by man... therefore we declare, state, define and pronounce that it is altogether necessary to salvation for every human creature to be subject to the Roman pontiff. Tista' tkun izjed prepotenti minn hekk?
Mr Geoff Gibson
May 21st 2011, 14:24
We sent our child to a pre-school nursery, run by nuns. On the first occasion we were called asking us to collect her, saying she wouldn't stop crying and was upsetting the other children. We tried again 4 days later and this time we collected her from the main office in tears. She was complaining she kept getting 'screamed at'
A mutual friend that sent her daughter at the same time, stuck it out and carried on for a few more days. By the end of one week she had removed her too because her little one kept saying 'The scary woman keeps hitting me'
This country seriously needs to stop living in the 19th Century and wake up. The children ARE the future, and if it's left in the hands of the state, they are all going to be very disturbed individuals.
Mr Mark Vella Bardon
May 21st 2011, 15:03
It seems we have a special criminal code for the clergy!
A criminal offence is reported involving a nun.
First a "commission", commissioned by whom may I ask ... then three years on an interview by the police soon after the Pope said perpetrators of child abuse ought to be dealt with by the civil authorities,
Does the Pope have to guide us on how to enforce the law?
No further comment!
Mr Joseph Aquilina
May 21st 2011, 16:51
In this country you can freely decide where to take your child. If you do not like one school you can take her to another. If you think that your child was abused in any way then you should a file a report. If you did not file a report then I understand that you did not treat the matter with great seriousness and therefore cannot understand why the state should do otherwise!!
Mr Paul Barrett
May 21st 2011, 17:23
At least some parents listen - it took me two years to convince my parents that I could not take the abuse any longer and for them to take me away from the environment where I was canned daily with a ruler and given the slipper in the masters study once a week as part of my "religious training".
Mr Geoff Gibson
May 21st 2011, 18:20
To J.Aquilina.
As our child was pre-school we did take the choice to remove her and we also took the option of reporting the school. The 'Nun' in question has since been deported back to India. I chose to hold that back in my original post on the grounds it seemed irrelevant.
For the record she was charged with beating children in her care. Not just my child, but more than 30 of them.
And 'in this country you can freely decide where to take your child' ? Can I freely choose to take my child to a school that isn't catholic run without paying fees? No I can't...
...so I'm paying the fees.
Mr Joseph Aquilina
May 21st 2011, 20:18
@Mr Geoff Gibson
First of all you did the right thing to make a report. That said, by your own admision action was taken against this individual showing that no one is untouchable.
"Can I freely choose to take my child to a school that isn't catholic run without paying fees?"
is this some sort of a tricky question? Public schools are not managed by the catholic church. You can even opt your children out of religion lessons! and if you are Maltese then you do not pay any fees. And mind you public schools are not bad!