Updated - Priests found guilty of child abuse

ray alamango

Aug 4th 2011, 09:01

Now that the hearing is over and the sentence was given, the two so called priests are appealing against the verdict, it’s better for them to make an apology to those who suffered because of them, those who trusted them blind folded. To get locked up for five years is nothing compared to the damage done to all those individuals who were abused during there hardest times of there lives, they should appeal to the magistrate to lock them in and throw the key in the ocean. It’s a shame on them and all those who tried to cover up their crime. Another apology must go to the church and clergy for the bad reputation and humiliation they facing because of them, and the last apology must be given to their families whom they let down with lots of pain.

Mr Saliba Francis

Aug 4th 2011, 08:37

@Adele Mintoff. (4 Aug 2011 00.23 hrs)

Nowhere have I said anything that these deplorable crimes are “a fairytale gone wrong!!!!!!” The “shame” should be felt by you for making that false insinuation and for your irresponsible speculation as to how I would react in any similar cases affecting my immediate family. Something like that did happen (not involving a priest) and I duly reported the matter promptly to the police and left them to their job without my making the slightest attempt to profit financially

I am correcting where you are wrong. Filthy lucre does not cure or compensate for any psychological harm resulting from the molestation of children. It only fattens the bank deposits of victims and their lawyers. If any compensation is to be paid, that has to be paid by the culprit himself, not by his relatives nor by innocent members of his organisation who actually resent his criminal behaviour.

Mr Saliba Francis

Aug 3rd 2011, 16:22

I would have thought that the audience given by H.H. the Pope to the victims of these priests, the apologies from our Bishops and the defrocking of the priests were all very clear "gestures from the Church".

Let me venture a guess. The vindictive persecutors of the Catholic Church as a whole are after the only "gesture" acceptable to those in perpetual search for the acquisition of the "root of all evil". This gesture is expressed in euros and cents but those who demand it are too squeamish to admit it.

Charles Sammut

Aug 3rd 2011, 13:41

" Fr Scerri was charged, on his own, of raping a boy at Marfa. He was acquitted of that charge because the rape had not taken place at Marfa, but at St Joseph Home".
Ok...so how about charging this child rapist of rape at St.Joseph's Home now?!!?
Who was it who made the "mistake" on the charge sheet by jotting down the wrong place? Will he/she be sacked from his/her position?!?
They are out on bail pending their appeal!!?? What a farce, what a sham...how ridicilous!!
Let us hope these two will be incarcerated with other inmates, so that they will get a taste of their own disgusting medicine!
Any comments from the Archbishop?? Any word from the Curia that these two despicable criminals will be defrocked now that they have been found guilty of these henious crimes, or will they be posted to some other diocese once/if they serve their sentence?!?

..and the beat goes on...and the beat goes on.....

C Muscat

Aug 3rd 2011, 13:19

I have seen practically no comments re child molestations coming from internl homes from relatives such as parents, step parents, family friends etc. All child molesters whether priests or other members should be in a public register. Similarly I would add drug pushers. The society needs to be defended from these very bad crimes.

Mr Carmelo Aquilina

Aug 3rd 2011, 12:58

the church has hidden other cases of abuse and obstructign and delaying justice- that's why we condemn the church and if its good name is beign sullied then it has only itself to blame !

Steve Pace

Aug 3rd 2011, 12:37

"The Archbishop's Curia has confirmed it has never reported any cases in which it found members of the clergy guilty of sexual abuse during their pastoral ministry, to the police "

Buttigieg himself claimed "If anything there is a moral obligation "

http://www.bishop-accountability.org/news2006/05_06/2006_06_11_Vella_CuriaSays.htm


It seems morality in institutions is as flexible as chewing gum !

Christina Pace

Aug 3rd 2011, 11:40

Hmm! Hold on a minute! So Fr. Pulis gets 6 years for 9 (that we know of) cases of sexually abusing a minor. That is an average of less than 8 months for each abuse. And here I was thinking the courts know that the sentence for indecent assault is 3 to 9 years as prescribed by Chapter 9 Art. 198 of the Laws of Malta.

Franco Attard Trevisan

Aug 3rd 2011, 10:20

How can the court let free 2 convicted child rapists? Are they gonna be under house arrest at least under supervision?? These are a danger to the kids on the island if they are left free to walk around HELLOOO!!!!!! WAKE UP COURTS!!!!!!

And this is all because they are priests!! Would the court have granted bail to people who aren't churchmen charged with the same crime ??? I surely hope not and am disgusted my the court's decision!

These so called priests have been found guilty!!!

paula tanti

Aug 3rd 2011, 10:10

What is disgusting is the 6 year sentence.

8 months per child is offensive to me, a Maltese citizen, knowing that if my child was raped by a priest the most he will get is 8 months. Its an abomination!

I am not surprised the victims are relieved because acknowledgement is a huge part of healing (when there has been none for so long) and today they received a form of acknowledgement that they were abused. I commend their efforts and tenacity.

I too have been a plaintiff bringing a case forward and I too felt joy because of the acknowledgment granted when the injustice (a job dismissal) was recognized in the form of a monetary offer... but as time went by .... I realized that instead of the $7000 for my dismissal I should have listened to my lawyer who had told me "think of your darkest hour" . I was too happy to do such a thing. At the time my elation that I was actually receiving acknowledgement over rode everything. As my excitement died down and I remembered all of what the dismissal had meant to me and I regretted not fighting for more.

These two frauds have the arrogance of appealing which gives you another chance to stiffen the sentence. Unlike my case which only mattered to me, your case is symbolic and will send a message to all priests whose sexual repression expresses itself through the rape of children.

Ms Louise Vella

Aug 3rd 2011, 10:08

I strongly urge Prime Minister Gonzi to set up an independent Commission, to enquire if criminal behaviour has occurred, or is occurring, in Malta by the Catholic Church. The Catholic Church is not in a special category that should be exempted and protected from legal action. The police should immediately confiscate all papers on abusive priests hidden in the curia’s secret archives. It beggars belief how the government seems to condone the atrocious behaviour by the Catholic Church. We cannot just sit idly and hope that bishops do the right thing because they are not.

The archbishop still consciously continues to shield from public exposure and police investigation priests who abuse children. Bishops Cremona and Grech must come up urgently with a full and public accounting of what has occurred over the years. We want the names and localities of Maltese priest child molesters. We want our bishops to be completely transparent as silence and secrets are the fuel of sexual abuse. We just need the secrecy to stop and focus on protecting children in every way possible. We expect the bishops to tell us the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

Joe Fenech

Aug 3rd 2011, 10:07

A gesture? What do you want? Another child to prey on? You should be locked in solitary confinement with 30 whip lashes a day.

Mr Mario P. Sciberras

Aug 3rd 2011, 09:51

"...but the challenge of living a celibate life and intimacy deficits can cause men to act out in inappropriate ways...." (John Jay College Study). I am not, in any way whatsoever condoning what happened, but maybe it is time to concentrate more and more on possible causes for this world wide phenomenon.
The guilty must be punished but also reform must take place to ensure that such occurances are kept to a minimum.
We must start by accepting that the human spirit is not always strong enough to fight temptation, The priests are no different. Many are strong but a percentage of them are weak. That is nature for you.
Save these people from themselves and save the victims.

Christina Pace

Aug 3rd 2011, 09:45

The Roman Catholic Church must obviously think its constituents are idiots. This so called church of Christ will spend 300,000 euros canpaigning against divorce with their major argument being that children end up being the victims in a divorce but will also spend (God only knows how much Giannella charged this time) good money to pay for a lawyer to defend child sex abusers.

See if I was working for such a company I would resign immediately. I would not want to be associated with any institution that does this kind of crap. More over the scandal in question is something that deeply disgusts me, goes totally against what I know to be right.

C Muscat

Aug 3rd 2011, 09:43

Nearly 300 comments and nobody got the point that we are talking about human beings - all humans err- it is very bad to err - and this act is very bad i suggested that a public register for these persons to be published because i believe it will be a deterrent but these come from families that one of them had a heroic father that jumped into a well to save a life; these persons will not become priests for such behaviour and to some it is a mental type of disorder. I condemn vehemently these acts and really feel sorry for the victims of all sides in such a sorry situation. But likewise I take the opportunity to condemn drugs, alcohol and usury (very high interests on loans) that are likewise eroding our society.

Steve Pace

Aug 3rd 2011, 09:17

I Just wonder where Joe Zammit who had said that NO MALTESE PRIEST was found guilty of abuse is by now. No more guaranteed victories and no more war against evil.

John Zammit-Spiteri

Aug 3rd 2011, 09:15

reading these disgusting comments make me shudder at the hate that exists in some of your comments.
Let me remind you all that paedophilia is a very disgusting act, so is spreading hate and propaganda against an institution.

I shall never speak in favour of anyone who has abused minors, but we have to be frank here.

Justice has been served. But there are other cockroaches as well said in one of the comments,

The worst are when child abuse takes place within the family, when parents or siblings are the culprits!

I will never justify these acts, but from some of you who can slide fingers in a key board and vomit all this venom again makes me think,

Mr Peter Bonello

Aug 3rd 2011, 08:44

Tajjeb ukoll, min jaf minn fejn gabu il-Flus biex ihalsu avukata bhal Gianella? Qassis normali mhux ha jkollu dawk il flus kolla jigifieri probabli sab l-ghajnuna mghand il-kurja... l-Istess organizazjoni li haditha tant be kbira meta il poplu idecida ghad divorzju!! Ahjar jaraw it travu taghhom mhix xaghra fl-ghagina... issa issibuh semhom fis sema dal-qassisin!! Flokk jamettu l-hazen li wetqu, jiddispjecihom u isservu il kundanna taghhom fejn forsi ikollhom cans jimmeditaw u jirrealizzaw il hazen li wetqu!! imissihom jisthu!! Jiena nemmen li hemm hafna qassisin twajba imma il-mod kif il-kurja qed tiprotegi lil dal-hmieg, huwa verament disgustanti!!

Mario Grima

Aug 3rd 2011, 07:00

Just very recently we had the bishops who had verociously condemed divorce, but on this issue little or almost nothing was stated, except for a mild apology from Bishop Cremona. I would have expected that our bishops, especially Mario Grech, to have focused more on this serious issue rather than using all their energies on divorce, which sooner rather than later had also to be introduced in Malta..

For eight long years the church has dragged its feet on this case and there appears no end to this case. At least the civil proceedings are over, save for the appeals. We hope that the church concludes its own investigation, which I would not expect to be different from those of the Maltese Courts, and financially compensates all tthe victims.

Raymond Sammut

Aug 3rd 2011, 02:22

I wish to repeat what Judy Jones said earlier on:

"These very courageous victims are to be commended for taking action and not giving up to expose the truth and protect kids. This is an extremely hard thing to do especially when the church officials fight victims with everything they’ve got. For years these victims kept their persistence, and finally got these predator priests in jail."

This is so very true, considering that this case dragged on for so long and had to end up both in the Prime Minister's and the President's office. Throughout all this time, the Maltese bishops remained with their hands tied by the Vatican authorities.

One notes how many commentators here write about "forgiveness", "tarring all priests with the same brush", and such irrelevant talk.

What is dreadful is that "church officials fight victims with everything they’ve got". When one thinks of how much these church officials have got, compared to victims --especially victims who suicide-- one should realize that all priests are to some extent complicit while they remain in the service of a church that employes these officials.

Maltese Roman Catholic priests on Malta, who are good men and do good to society, please resign and leave the Roman Catholic Church.

At the same time, the Maltese people of contemporary Malta are mature enough to form their own church. It is high time for sovereign Malta to have its own church, namely, The Church of Malta, and this church would be constitutional under the governorship of the President and most importantly fully abiding to Maltese law --and loved and respected by all Maltese.

These victims, whom Ms Jones hails as "courageous", have shown in court for the first time in more than 500 years of Catholic domination in Malta, that the Maltese people can achieve much if they too can have the same resolve, strong sense of justice, and determination.

Malta does not need the Roman Catholic Church. The Roman Catholic Church is the last remaining foreign power in Malta, and hence expects to be above Maltese law --which the Maltese people of a sovereign Malta should not continue to tolerate.

Tania Walters

Aug 3rd 2011, 01:01

We cannot condemn an institution because some of its members do the wrong thing. The church has always done and still is doing a lot of good around the world. Unfortunately some of its members whether clergy or even catholic people act totally inappropriately. It does not mean they are all the same. Whether catholic priests should marry or not is not an option. Yes humans have instincts and urges but humans also have intellect, we are not dogs on heat. If some of us cannot control ourselves we should seek medical help and if we don't then take responsibility for our actions. In this case let the priests pay the price for their actions but leave the church alone. I wish the victims all the very best and I sincerely hope they can move on and carry on with their life. I will keep them all in my prayers.

Antoine Zammit

Aug 3rd 2011, 00:38

Post picture of the perpetrators please. We know who the poor victims are.. Name and Shame the perpetrators.. They have committed the worst crime of all, betraying the trust society has in them, in taking care of the poor children who become either orphans or end up in difficulty and social problems. Its abusing of their already vulnerable state and snatching the innocence away from those boys.. Let alone the STD which they may have contracted...

Therefore, POST PICTURES PLEASE!

AND to the church, stop hiding such cases... The less you talk about them, the more harm is done to the catholic church in the long run as... Iz-zejt dejjem tela f'wicc l-ilma.. as we say in Maltese.

Mr M Mallia

Aug 3rd 2011, 00:38

Priests are supposed to have been called upon by God. If someone manages to explain to me, how the actions committed by these 'men' play a part in 'His plan' in a coherent and rational way i will start believing again. Oh and by the way, to all those defending the holy institution..... http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2011/07/31/church-child-protection-chief-caught-with-child-porn-pictures-115875-23308972/

Mr Joseph Carmel Chetcuti

Aug 3rd 2011, 00:34

You miss the point Adele. Priests who normally enter the ranks of the priesthood, brotehrhood and what have you would not normally marry. Ang guesses, as to why this is the case?

Mr Mario P. Sciberras

Aug 2nd 2011, 23:56

Without appearing, in any way, to condone what happened in these cases, one question that keeps coming to mind is whether it is NATURAL to expect a healthy man to spend all his life in a celibate state.
I am certain that what we are seeing now is just the tip of the iceberg and unless there are changes to the relevant church rules these things will continue to happen.
Is the church expecting too much from it's clergy? Not all human beings are perfect and priests are no different.

Danny Haszard

Aug 2nd 2011, 23:54

Please examine the Jehovah's Witnesses who go door to door and come on our property.

Jehovah's Witnesses pedophiles.

Many court documents and news events prove that Jehovah's Witnesses require two witnesses when a child comes forward with allegations of molestation within the congregation. Such allegations have customarily been treated as sins instead of crimes and are only reported to authorities when it is required to do so by law, (which varies by state). It has also been shown that child molesters within the organization usually have not been identified to the congregation members or the public at large.
These people engage in a door to door ministry, possibly exposing children to pedophiles.
Although the Watchtower Bible Tract Society claims that known pedophiles are accompanied by a non-pedophile in such work, there is no law stating that such a practice must be followed.
The Watchtower corporation has paid out millions in settlement money already.
--
Danny Haszard abuse victim

http://dannyhaszard.com/sexabuse/index.htm

Mr Robert Gatt

Aug 2nd 2011, 23:05

@ Adele Mintoff: You said that: [Quote] "These priests are as human as any other men and their sexual urge is normal. That's why the church should allow priests to marry." [Unquote]

I agree that sexual urge is normal and that both married and unmarried men have sexual urge, yet to state that to control that sexual urge, one has to marry rather than not marry, is inconceivable given that as a matter of fact sexual abuse on children happens also within the confines of a family.

I also do not think that the Church should be blamed by itself for these sexual abuses by clergymen. What should and should not be blamed, I think, depends on the circumstances of each individual case. I am not trying to defend any wrong doings - but have you ever considered that the abuser may have been a victim himself in the past, and that he may have never received any kind of support? Again, I am not saying that this was the case, but am just insisting that one should examine the whole picture before commenting.

Moreover, It is not fair that one should generalise and attribute the improper behaviour of some priests to all priests. Many priests are contributing a great deal both on local and foreign soil. One should give a holistic picture and, while condemning all that is wrong, acknowledges all that is good.

Claire Busuttil

Aug 2nd 2011, 23:02

sorry but all this is just disgusting....

Gary Davies

Aug 2nd 2011, 22:43

Of course not all priests are paedos, but it is one of the proffesions that has attracted them for decades. It was not long ago that these vultures could operate almost at will in certain jobs that gave them close access to children. Thanks to a change in attitudes by the victims over recent years, better I.T. at investigators disposal etc, we are worming these beasts out now. They wont be the last to be brought to justice thank god.

Billie Watson

Aug 2nd 2011, 22:42

I thought priests are suppose to be humble and poor, i seen them driving big merks and loaded, better then being unemployed i suppose, i certainly wouldn't join them not after this image hanging over some of them and the innocent alway looking over their shoulders incase some one point a finger at them. i would rather join the forces and see the world wouldn't you?

Joe Brincat-LL.D

Aug 2nd 2011, 21:14

Some comments seem to forget that criminal responsibility is personal. Take the example of a minor who commits a crime. Are the parents responsible ? The answer is no. So why should the Church (which either means the hierarchy or the whole body of priests) be considered as responsible for the criminal acts of an individual or individuals ? This applies to other organisations as well.

Corruption of minors does not occur only among the clergy. There are so many cases in court which involve family members. And you cannot talk about celibacy in such cases !!!

I do not think, on the basis of the report above, that the Church dragged its feet to establish certain facts according to Canon Law. Canon Law is concerned with the internal administration of the Church and is not a state criminal tribunal. The Church is not bound to initiate criminal proceedings by laying down a report with the authorities. Is a mother bound to report her father for abusing her minor daughter ? The answer is that there is no such legal obligation. Some may even prefer no criminal action to avoid bad publicity or the trauma of the minor from giving evidence in court, even though this is nowadays conducted through a video conference. Would one say that the parents are responsible for failing to protect the minor ? The same reasoning should apply.

Anyone who wants to take criminal action has just to cross the road, and instead of going to the Curia direct his or her steps to the Police H.Q.

Mrs Teresa Pace

Aug 2nd 2011, 21:10

Over 1000 likes, 200 shares and 228 comments. What about the many priests who are faithful to God and to the Church and who go out of their way to help others...like Fr George Grima and many others who are not so well known. What if a story was written about their good works...how many shares and how many likes and comments would these cause.

Graham Vahey

Aug 2nd 2011, 20:48

The RC Church does cover up any such scandal and simply moves priests who abuse around from one country to another to avoid prosecution and to save face. Canon Law should NOT take the place of secular, State law in such matters as child abuse. The Police should take action immediately and bring the perpetrator to justice. What the Church does thereafter is up to them and nothing to do with the due process of criminal law. Those who say that they were abused by the RC priesthood ( or indeed by anyone ) should go to the Police first and not be influenced by priests who advise them not to. Graham Vahey, BUSBY, SCotland.

Gerry Cowie

Aug 2nd 2011, 20:15

Excellent news! And may all the other guilty ones be put behind bars if they are still alive to tell the tale!
Let us all work towards the elimination of sexual abuse also across secular society and in families where also huge cover-ups continue, making the Church statistically amongst the smaller groups of offenders. Nevertheless the Church is somewhere one expects total security and adherance to religious values. It is sad that the Church has become the scapegoat for a far wider problem, which must not of course reduce the pressure on the Church to amend its ways but should remind people that the problem of abuse is far more widespread than some care to admit. After all the Church is a far easier target. I am in no way condoning the evil committed - just making sure that other sources of abuse are paid as much attention.

John Zammit-Spiteri

Aug 2nd 2011, 19:58

It is evident that many here cant distinguish between a criminal and an institution. The Church is being branded as the scape goat.

I hope that all that are pointing a finger at the church calling it all kinds of deregatory names and disgusting comments, dont have a teenager who is allowed to parade in the street with a glaring highlighter of an underpants. This country has turned into a pig sty of vice and ways of life.

Some of us apparantly dont have eyes to see how we are allowing youngsters to dress up. I think that such sexual provocation is as grave.

Paedophilia is disgusting and should be severly punished , but we should start from the very bottom and monitor our society, because we are diving headlong into oblivion.
Sending paedophiles to prison is not enough. I think we should start looking and see where our society has erred miserably the past 40 years. We ourselves are encouraging such acts because we dont teach values anymore. Just reading some comments shows enough how spitefull we have become.

Pule' Carmel

Aug 2nd 2011, 19:51

After all, humans come in vaious packets, with most containing, instinctive urges and a lot of combinations of sensory perceptions. Sometimes the internal wiring goes wrong!

Adele Mintoff

Aug 2nd 2011, 19:34

I blame the church for all this sexual abuse by priests worldwide. These priests are as human as any other men and their sexual urge is normal. That's why the church should allow priests to marry. I hope with all my heart that the victims will find peace with the grace of God and be able to forgive one day. It breaks me everytime I listen to them speak. Finally justice has been made and Iwish them a world of happiness and peace. They have been through hell and back because of these priests. May God bless them and grant them a happier life.

Mr francis darmanin

Aug 2nd 2011, 19:33

With the number of cases rising to the surface all across the catholic world one can hardly deny that some institutions were seen as save havens for people with this type of sexual instinct. It is now time for the church to say "mea culpa" and to carry out a REAL internal monitoring exercise to ensure that this phenomenon is well and truly weeded out.

Those at the top of the church hierarchy with their constant denials, never ending tribunals where nothing is ever found wrong, secrecy, etc etc are also very much to blame. The local church ought to realise that bishops smiling in photos with politicans is not really what Christ preached about. On the positive side at least we now got know who the sheep in wolves clothing are as referred to by the Gozo bishop some weeks ago.

martin said

Aug 2nd 2011, 19:31

What a bunch of hypocrites this country has turned into!!

Now we are classifying sins!! Ripping off families who cannot make ends met is a lesser sin than this.

Either we are honest or else not comment at all.

I just hope that one day all bloggers that hate the Church thank the Church for what it has done and still is doing for this country. Lets not put all in one basket. That is if we have any sense of honesty left.

jane deguara nee hughes

Aug 2nd 2011, 19:31

if they would let priests get married in Malta iam sure there wold be less abuse on people. they are humans aswell and still have feelings.. but they did worng so yes they should be punished, but not all priests are bad, we have a very good priest in Mtarfa. and he really good with they young ones.

Stephen Zammit

Aug 2nd 2011, 19:22

What is interesting to note here is that the court judged 2 priests as guilty. May all the other priests be free of all ill feeling these 2 priests brought up on them.

Ms G Portelli

Aug 2nd 2011, 19:16

@ Carmel Muscat

It is incredible that you seek to belittle the suffering of the victims by assuming that they simply want money out of this. They also have a right of redress as much as the indicted have a right to appeal the sentence. You should however know that a basic tenet of the Catholic Church is Social Justice which includes the defense of the weak and giving a voice to the voiceless in society. These victims were voiceless and powerless children abused by those who were meant to protect them. Pope Benedict recognised this and I am sure that the Pope's tears in Malta weren't shed over the amount of money to be deducted from the Church's coffers but the grave betrayal of trust and moral transgression that occurred when these minors were abused. It is the Church that stands to gain here by being perceived to put its house in order. A paedophile should be prosecuted by the criminal justice system whatever status he or she holds.

JJ Debono

Aug 2nd 2011, 19:08

Good luck to the man in the video i wish him well, they should do same as in some countries shame them two priests by defrocking them publicly as oppose to ordaining them in front of friends and relatives. It would serve a good lesson to would be priests with a sexual appetite for children in their care and have an evil inclinations, this applies to both clergies and nuns abusers, we hear alot about this sort of going ons here in the UK and it is about time it all came out in the open, unfortuinitly in days gone many in Malta and Gozo people just shut their eyes as they most probably didn't knoiw the truth without people such as this young man coming out in the open and blow the lid on all the abusers.

John Spiteri

Aug 2nd 2011, 19:07

"The evil that men do lives after them; The good is oft interred with their bones"
Act 3, scene ii of Julius Caesar by William Shakespeare.
Enough said!

Mr Saliba Francis

Aug 2nd 2011, 19:06

...... "Forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us ..........."

(Christ in the Lord's Prayer)

Mark Aquilina

Aug 2nd 2011, 19:01

I don't think that anyone in here is trying to encourage religious hatred and i don't think it's right and even justified to say "To all those who are trying to prove something by vomiting their venom against the whole church are as evil as paedophiles themselves" I am sorry but you don't know what you are saying and from this comment one can easily say that you are mixing the whole argument with politics.

1. You can't run away from statistics that show that there are many and many cases like these involving clergy all over the world! Come on something is not right!

2. Black sheep or not, sick human or not, the clergy is there to protect kids not ..................;

3. Many people vomit not their venom or intolerance but there sickness towards the church why? Because the church go on the defensive side and play chess with the victims emotions; (send them to other countries!!! are you joking!! or taking 8 years to come to a conclusion. Church should be extra careful in preventing such cases! They have the responability, the obligation and morality!

4. The Law is or should be the same for all!

5. You are right no one is a saint, but the clergy teaches us to become saints!

Mr Peter Vella

Aug 2nd 2011, 18:46

In the 70s these two priests were my teachers. I never saw one bad thing from them or from any other priest. What I received was an excellent education. They are humans, and they erred, and they should be punished for their mistakes. However their mistakes do not make the entire clergy corrupt or evil. What would we do with our orphans, elderly without the Church? How would the education system operate if the Church Schools were to close down? I won't even mention the massive contribution that the Church gives in the missions. So let us stop all this misplaced gloating. I am always amazed by the base hatred that many harbour for the clergy and I truly cannot figure out why? The Church has done its best to keep away from politics since the mess of the 60s, why do we keep banging that old drum?

Philip Micallef

Aug 2nd 2011, 18:34

A tree should not be uprooted because of a couple of fruits are bad.

Think guys before before throwing stones to others. Just reflect that hate talk might refect back.

Think also of the good works thousands of priests and religious had done during the ages. How many dedicated their lives for the maltese society along the passage of years.

Think of the good work and sacrifice beeing done by the other priests and brothers of the accused in mission lands. Media people just reflect on the impact of your actions.
Philip Micallef

Jesmond Micallef

Aug 2nd 2011, 18:25

"Some of these cases went back to the 1970s"

Whilst one welcomes this news of justice but there are other instances which still need to be uncovered in "Holy Roman Catholic Malta". There are major events as a direct result of political "perversions" that have not been solved as yet. Yes, the murder of civilians, the burning down of buildings, lost business due to political boycott, enticing violence and provocation, psychological terrorism and retribution by political parties, etc.

Come on dear sweet and innocent Malta. Is this all you can come up with ?

Marge Pace

Aug 2nd 2011, 18:20

At last the poor old boys of San Guzepp can breathe a little more freely.
We Maltese must understand that even on suspicion of abuse ,we have to report to the police. There is no excuse no matter who the suspected perpetrator is, the father, uncle ,the priest the teacher, the social worker, the doctor etc.Parents must start educating their children about abuse when still very young. All children must learn about abuse by qualified personnel at school. Every citizen must be empowered to report abuse or suspicion of.
.In Malta we are not yet aware for example that a mother cannot mistreat her toddler dragging him up and slapping him across his face.that is physical abuse +
Sexual abuse leaves very bad scars, sometimes victims never really heal but thankfully most children are resilient and they survive and thrive in spite of the terrible hurt by the people who were supposed to love them.
If our laws are updated and proper campaigns are organised in schools,and on the media ,we may be able to reach more people to prevent abuse and to report abuse.
My main thought in commenting here is that there should be no distinction between a lay offender and priests or members of religious orders. The Curia does not come in here . Child abuse is a case for the Criminal court.
One word about the perpetrators. Their actions have hurt many others who put their trust in them and who felt betrayed when they got to know about the abuse case. The court sentence will help these priests to repent perhaps.
I hope that in his infinite goodness God helps the resilient survivors and that they will walk with their heads held high not because they received justice only but because their telling might have saved many more.

Jessica Debattista

Aug 2nd 2011, 18:17

What a SAD, SAD day for the Church that some elements within it have brought down such a disgrace to weigh so heavily on Her!

How wounded the Church must feel! And how sorry we ought to feel for all the other priests who had had to lead a life of sacrifice to live according to the vows they had made.

And what a SAD, SAD day for all of us who are showing our true colours by spitting venom on the Church as a whole!

Don’t we realize that we are giving vent to our base nature by calling for revenge on the Church as a whole?

Hatred against the Church has been fomenting for a long time and today’s sentence has given fuel to this hatred. It is a raging volcano of hate now! And a raging volcano is a monster to fear as much as the paedophiles within our midst – coming from wherever they are coming, for let us not delude ourselves that paedophiles are found only in the Church, for they are all around us…..

Let us beware of the paeodophiles cunningly hiding in the unlikeliest corners!

Human nature has its quirks and fetishes for there are shades of evil in each and every one of us!

Don’t we realize that by giving vent to this uncontrollable hatred against the Church, we are risking arousing and instigating people to violence - which is another form of evil?

Who or what gives us the right to rouse the people against the Church as a whole when we know that as an institution the Church has been a source of good throughout the years?

How can we allow certain people who have professed themselves openly against the Church to whip us into a vortex of hatred against the Church?

Calm down! Stop and think! Let your better judgement weigh the good and the evil and allow no one to take over your thoughts to mould them according to their base wishes!

We are masters of our own minds. Let no one warp our better judgement for we are quite capable to think for ourselves!

Mr twanny borg

Aug 2nd 2011, 18:13

dawn mhux denji li jithallew bhala qasssin. il-hazin jitfi t-tajjeb. missieri miet zghir u konna hafna tfal. kienet il-knisja li ghinitna. missieri kien barrani u domna l-familja tieghi biex bdiet tiehu ghajnuna socjali. niftakar ommi dejjem id-dar kien jigi qassis wara l-bieb jaghti lm3 lill-ommi u jitlaq. dak iz-zmien lm3 ma kienux ftit. xejn mhu se jtellifni milli nuri rispett lil min ghamilli l-gid meta kont fil-bzonn. din mhux gurnata ta' ferh izda ta' niket kemm ghal knisja u kemm ghall-vittmi. halli dawn jiehdu l-kastig darba haqqhom imma mhux jehel kullhadd. lil min jahseb li jrid jiknes lil kullhadd nghidlu bhall ma kienet tghid ommi li kull min jgholli jdejh kullhadd ixomm xi haga min haga u min ohra.

John Zammit-Spiteri

Aug 2nd 2011, 18:06

This is another page where justice has been served and we should learn a lot from this experience. The media is here to convey news and it is responsible to teach and not to encourage church and religious hatred. Some comments are just anti church and nothing else. In doing so we are encouraging hiding paedophiles to act , now that we are saying the church is the sole culprit of such crimes. This is grossly wrong and we will pay for this if we adopt this message of religious hatred!

We as a society we are all guilty of social crimes and we are looking at paedophiles as stemming solely from the Church. I am sure that other hiding paedophiles are rubbing their hands in glee knowing too well they will go unnoticed since the media spotlight is focused on the Church as an institution.

I am not excusing any paedophile , their acts are serious social crimes. So is religious intollerance a crime , and so is encouraging hatred is a social crime. To all those who are trying to prove something by vomitting their venom against the whole church are as evil as paedophiles themselves.

All those who hold society as sacred, are to be reminded that society is made of all people . I am sure no one is a saint and I do not wish to cast any stone knowing too well that no one is perfect.

Justice has done its work, great. Now we must open our eyes for more who are lurking and hiding and smiling their sick smiles to minors who are helpless. They lurk everywhere in all the shadows.

Roderick Zammit

Aug 2nd 2011, 17:55

I want to see also the comment from the priests involved and their views aswell. if the times can obtain an interview so that we hear both bells.

Kieron O'connor

Aug 2nd 2011, 17:53

They might be the first priests to be held accountable for their crimes in Malta, but they wont be the last.

Slowly but surely the truth is coming out.

The details of how it was all covered up behind internal reviews and public retired individuals used as a pretence for justice will be the final scandle.

Charles J. Buttigieg

Aug 2nd 2011, 17:48

Were there other priests in our history who were found guilty of criminal charges and sentenced to prison?

Mr Ernest Vella

Aug 2nd 2011, 17:38

Jekk min gie abbuzat mhux lest li jahfer (skont x'jifhem b'mahfra mbaghad), il-kruha ta dak li soffra xorta hemm ser tibqa' ghax go qalbu ma hafrilhomx. Tahfer ma jfissirx tinsa, imma li titlob ghalihom halli jindmu sincerament min eghmilhom u jaghrfu l-hsara li ghamlet. Min qal li l-Knisja tilfet hafna fl-2011 ma jafx x'inhu jghid....ghax kif qalu diversi nies prominenti jekk titlef il-Knisja nitilfu ahna lkoll. Ejjew ma nhalltux dawn il-ftit kazi mal-hafna tajjeb li sar u li ghadu jsir min membri ohra tal-Knisja.

Min qed jattakka u jghajjar il-Knisja, jghidilna x'ghamel hu biex jaghmel iktar mill-Knisja ghall-poplu Malti? Immagina Malta minghajr Dar tal-Providenza, Istituti, Skejjel, sacerdoti, knejjes, festi, Azzjoni Kattolika, Karizmatici, Katekisti, il-Museum, il-Caritas, il-Moviment ta Kana etc...F'Malta ma jibqa xejn hlief l-iscouts u l-partiti politici. Mbaghad nispiccaw sew bil-Partiti Politici.

A. Attard

Aug 2nd 2011, 17:29

a sentence of 20 years with forced labour would have made more sense.

Victor Vella

Aug 2nd 2011, 17:29

A raoe is a rape where ever it happens.But people please, not all men are criminals and with such argument not all priests are child abusers .

Mark Aquilina

Aug 2nd 2011, 17:24

Although I am a devoted anti-church and anti-religion (main stream religions only) person, I find to ask myself, but not only priests are paedophiles, there are non-clerics who are too. But then I tell myself wait a second, something is wrong! There is a trend here (Malta, Ireland, USA, Italy) of clerical who are now proven or alleged paedophiles. And then I tell myself "il Qasba ma caqcaqx ghalxejn".
This means that some entered priesthood because they wanted to hide their sickness or maybe it would be good to analyse them and see if they have been always like that or became like that because of what their priesthood impose on them!
This also means that becoming a priest and not be able to have sex is simply cruel and insane and unhealthy!! I would say that this situation is simply a joke and should be reviewed today before tomorrow.
Also those from the clergy who has obstructed justice for 8 good years should also be jailed for obstruction to justice! Minjaf kemm hawn iktar u ma nafux!
Finally 5 and 6 years in jail are again few… I am not a court expert but 9 sexual abuses are no bloody joke.
Finally one final thought! I think these priests will enjoy prison, if you know what I mean………. maybe they would want to stay longer……
Burn in hell if you believe in it!
Signed
A Father who look at his son’s eyes and say who would be such a monster to dare and imagine to do such things…. I don’t want to express my full opinion on how these human beings should be treated.

H Agius

Aug 2nd 2011, 17:13

At Last Justice had been done, hope that they receive the exact treatment in Jail as what they did to a lot of children,is it not to much that you end up in home ? , then you find these 2 monsters raping you , well done Laurence you made it today ! you are the hero of so many children that had been abused ! And by the way you should go for compensation from the church, The church should pay for what they done, like in other countries !

Mr mark johnson

Aug 2nd 2011, 17:03

If you honestly cannot see why this case is worse because they are priests then you have been brainwashed.

Stephen Moyer

Aug 2nd 2011, 16:45

2011 has only proved to be a major FAIL for the Catholic Church in Malta. Maybe finally they will realise that they no longer have any power over the people, and no longer will they get away with such grievous and disgusting acts.

Finally priests are judged under the same laws as every other Maltese citizen, and shame on them for what they have done to these poor kids.

P.S. Send my regards to Lucifer.

P Mizzi

Aug 2nd 2011, 16:35

Six years for sexually abusing nine boys? This is not justice it's just ridiculous!!

DR EMMANUEL BEZZINA,MA,MAG.JUR.[EU Law],LL.D.,

Aug 2nd 2011, 16:33

The Maltese Catholic Church & The Kurja Kattolika Maltija must as has been stated for many years be run and administered by the Maltese State in our own country. Such abuses have been taking place for many,many years and here we had a sacred cow which nobody dared to touch even as it defacated in our own faces.

This year will be an Annus Memorabilus for our dear country as it has finally shed off its manipulative clothing and bared all in one of the most corrupt institutions in our land.All priviliges to this OPUS DEI dreadful clan must be done away with and each of its members must be subject to Maltese & EU Law just like any other citizen.These creatures have to pay dues just like any other citizen and they must have no say in our local juridical order.

The Marriage Act must be amended forthwith: Civil Annulments will in any case make no more sense in the light of the amendment No. 2 to the Civil Code signed into law a few days ago by the President of the Republic.The Kurja must be made to pay financial compensation to those it barred from defending their clients before the autocratic Ecclessiastical Tribunal;this compensation should cover material and moral,physichological and physical damages.

As for those priests who have abused and are still abusing IN THE NAME OF CHRIST innocent victims,the latter should seek damages and hence all Chruch property should be expropriated for all these damages to be made good for.

It has been a long time,the corruption involved has been manifold,now is paytime also IN THE NAME OF CHRIST - thus JUSTICE will be seen to be indeed done!

----------------------------ALPHA.

Vincent Galea

Aug 2nd 2011, 16:27

Your wrong doings, were your self betrayals. You not only failed to manifest God in the world, but also preventing yourselves from expressing and expanding who we really are. All wrong doing is based on being someone we are not, whether we know it or not.
You have already been punished not for your sins but by your sins.
Your lives were one big rip off when you ripped yourselves from God. You must have suffered a self imposed spiritual exile much worse than your prison sentence and you know it.You cut the ground from beneath your feet. You cut yourselves out of the bigger picture.
You betrayed God and ultimately betrayed yourselves.

C Muscat

Aug 2nd 2011, 16:25

Why are the remarks only addressed to these culprits because they are priests? The crime is bad coming from any angle whether a priest or any other trusted member o the children. We need to prepare our families, our homes our children to be strong and the society to be harsh and severe with culprits. But to address the matter as i the church bless such crimes is far from the truth. The good and bad is only in the hands of God Almighty. We need to protect our children and our families from many peril including paedophiles whether priests, parents, step parents, relatives etc and it is high time to create a register a public register so that maybe the crime will be attacked and society defended.

N. Galea

Aug 2nd 2011, 16:19

Nixiteq nkun naf ghalfejn appelaw.. ara vera ma jisthux . Qas 6 snin habs ma huma bizejjed ghal li ghamlu ahseb u ara!

William Flynn

Aug 2nd 2011, 16:08

@ John Zammit-Spiteri

Paedophiles don't exist only within the church; that is correct. But only ONE organisation treats child rape as a sin to be forgiven, then concealed with the rapist priest allowed to continue to rape for decades in different parishes.

ONE organisation had an institutionalised conspiracy to delay justice which continues to this day.

That organisation is the (Un)Holy Catholic Apostolic church of Rome; with its popes, cardinals and bishops (including the bishops of these Islands) protecting the hyenas preying on our young innocents.

How I wish there were a hell sometimes; but since there is no hell and they certainly don't believe there is hell to do these crimes.

So, let's make sure the church is denuded of all power and protection and be made to suffer the just consequences of its criminal activity of the worst kind.

Forget about the hereafter; make the bastards pay here and now! Hefty prison sentences and hefty punitive damages for everyone in the conspiracy....right up to the top.

carmel spiteri

Aug 2nd 2011, 16:07

according to what has been testified in court, Fr. Scerri is lying under oath. this, for example when he says that during the cases he was not in malta. when evidence from his passport show otherwise!

Mr john vella

Aug 2nd 2011, 16:07

Whatever these men are alleged to have done and found guilty a lot of people will have to talk about. What I find strange other parents did the same allegations and did not get years in jail? is it we have one law and lot of measure depending to the competence of the lawyers.
You sure know how to beat the drums when it comes to the church! and I thought it only happen on Super.
This is not the same conservative paper that I grew into.

Noel Mifsud

Aug 2nd 2011, 16:01

Ma ghandix tehel l knisja kollha, pero zgur gejna fi stat li ma tista tafda lil hadd. Dawn kriminali bl gheruq u xniexel, ma tistax tghid kliem iehor. Dawn huma nies suppost li tmur ghandhom tafda il problemi li jkollok. Issa lanqas f nies bhal dwm ma ghanda fiducja, Il Kurja ma nafx jekk zammitomx, imma l ewwel reazzjoni kellha tkun li tikkundanhom hi stess. Pero issa l izball sar u hadu ftit milli haqqhom. Kieku kont jien kont nibathom izjed ghax abbuza mit tfal, abbuza mill innocenza, abbuza mill batut, abbuzaw mill foqra. KOLLOX kontra li ghallimna Sidna Gesu Kristu. Min ghandu widnejn ha jisma, min ghandu ghajnejn ha jara u minn ghandu mohh ha jifhem

Ms Rebecca Bartolo

Aug 2nd 2011, 16:00

I am glad they got sent to jail. I am not glad that they got such a short sentence. I hope the shame destroy them slowly over the long days they'll have locked up to reflect on what they caused those poor boys to go through.

M Cassar

Aug 2nd 2011, 15:52

This case shows why it is important to have a clear distincition between the role of the state and the church in our society. Had the Church had its way on this case, these priests would never have been brought to justice. Our law courts with all their limitations ensure that our society is not administered by a theocracy.

Mr Joe Gatt

Aug 2nd 2011, 15:47

`The accused originally stood charged together with a third, who passed away last January, aged 63.`

We see faces of the living only??

Sentence should also be passed on this perverted person, his remains should be exhumed and cremated, the remains should be symbolicly locked up in Jail.

Justice has to be served even after death, and the Church should dishonour him also.failing this then the Church would be condoning his disgraceful acts,

angelo cilia

Aug 2nd 2011, 15:46

A slap on the wrist sentence for these vile paedophiles!
Is Godwin Scerri going to be extradited to St. Catharine's Ontario Canada to face the charges of paedophile rape on young boys there after he finishes his sentence in Malta ? He still is on a Canada wide most wanted list by the RCMP.

John Mifsud

Aug 2nd 2011, 15:42

We should not make the big mistake of condemning the whole clergy. The focus should be directed to the very few who abuse. I do not have much compassion for these few, especially if the abuse was being carried out systematically. These are heinous crimes.

I pity these young men as they definitely have been scarred for life.

But I do have a lot of compassion for the majority of priests and nuns who have sacrificed their lives tending unwanted children. Unfortunately the bad always manages to win the limelight.

I strongly believe that celibacy is to be revisited by the church authorities.

Mr mark johnson

Aug 2nd 2011, 15:39

These guys knew what they were doing was wrong.

They abused children when they were in a position of trust.

I am seriously worried about the state of our society when even after conviction their actions are being defended by comments on here.

Why shouldn't they be punished for what they did?

If you can't do the time, don't do the crime.

John Zammit-Spiteri

Aug 2nd 2011, 15:38

@ Mr Ernest Vella,

I agree with your comment and I think that justice has been served. This is not a war against the Church. There are people who do bad all the time and we condemn it loudly. But there are good priests too, who dedicate their life and do a lot of good. Bad is bad wherever it originates from . Good is good. Recently the comments against the church have gathered momentum and it seems that there are many who have chips on their shoulders.
The victims have experienced a lot of hardships and I support them to get on with their lives. Now justice has been served and we must not break an institution which has done a lot of good in the past , in the present and also in the future.

We should address our attention to the " Human Nature" . Paedophilia is a shame on humanity, and we should not label it unto the church. We should focus more wherever children are. We should monitor their behaviour. We should question and we should not be ready to slam guilt without investigating.
Criminal minds are not stupid. Criminals are much more clever than we think. They know how to hide and how to twist facts. But Criminals emerge from any age and there is no qualifying age to be a criminal.

My sadness is addressed to the continious rise of births by extremely young mothers , who are very much under age. These never get investigated! They not only are breaking the law , but they receive state benefits and what have you !
Paedophilia cases are not only when priests abuse young boys, but even when an older man has sex with a girl severely under age with or without her consent, and vice versa. These cases have never been brought to justice.
And if the under age girl obliges to have sex with a much older man, he could get into serious trouble if she decides to blackmail him if something goes wrong in the set up, as already experienced.
We need to check our laws when it comes to sexual age of consent. We need to do a lot of things, our laws need to be brushed up and brought up to date.

Our life styles have brought about more sexual exposure to young children than ever before. Even parents are guilty in this matter. How is our dress code? Dont we notice how we are dressed in the streets. We have become more promiscious , and just looking around , our streets have become one seaside avenue where one can walk about scantily dressed without any considerations on who might be looking. The way we dress has become a language , and I think that something has to be done soon , because such incidents are going to be a nightmare on our very backward society.

It should be considered highly illegal for any person to be dressed in a very sexy way. Humans have apetites and no one can expect not to be looked at if one is dressed in a manner to attract attention.

What are our children watching alone in their bedrooms? Do we check them constantly , or we make it so easy for them by providing access to such?
There is a lot to learn from these cases. Blaming the Church wont solve anything. I am sure the Church is hurt deeply , because there are thousand more priests who are kind and respectful and do a lot of good.
There is a lot of good in every institution and there are black sheep in every family or institution. Black sheep are to be monitored and to be watched and punised if not complying with the norms of society.

We have to check ourselves seriously in these cases. Paedophiles dont stemm from the church , but they could be anyone near you . They are not only males , but they can be any sex and age and in any position. By focusing entirely on the church we will only facilitate other hiding paedophiles to freely act unnoticed, and to make their disgusting acts easy.
my sympathy goes with the victims and may they start a new fresh page, they could do a lot of good to society and teach us with the tactics of paedophiles and their methods, so as to safegaurd our unsespecting children.

Ms Lina CARUANA

Aug 2nd 2011, 15:38

It is a sad day for us Catholics to witness this event when two priests are found guilty of abuse on the unfortunate children left in their care. Who knows how many childless couples would have welcomed their presence in their loving homes. May God have mercy on the priests and help the young people live a more serene future. Let this be a lesson to all parents to treasure their children and not to trust them far away from their sight.

William Flynn

Aug 2nd 2011, 15:23

If the Maltese press had any spine this would only be the beginning. The editors of newspapers, the TV presenters and the politicians (who after all are supposed to protect us and our young innocents), should be aflame clamouring for a Cloyne type enquiry to make the bishops cough up the rest of the rapist priests, monks, brothers, nuns etc.

These two convicted child rapists would be the tip of the iceberg and should be thrown in jail for life.

And we have the bishops who protected, concealed, conspired and condoned the rapes as mere sins rather than crimes, having the cheek to insist upon having a right to tell us what's morally right and what's wrong under Article 2 of the Constitution??

Are ALL our MP's sitting on their hands while this is happening? Led by our PM who is scandalised voting YES for divorce, which is a human right; yet has no conscientious qualms about letting his dear bishops get away with this “holy” conspiracy involving the rape of children?

What a disgrace.

Demis Micallef

Aug 2nd 2011, 15:20

Hope they serve their jail term in prison & hope the sentences won't be reduced on appeal. Ara vera ma jisthux jappellaw mis-sentenza!!!

M. Mifsud

Aug 2nd 2011, 15:17

Let's refrain from commentiong on this case till the sentence is either confirmed or reformed by the Court of Criminal Appeal. That is how things in a normal democracy proceed.

Mr Mark Vella Bardon

Aug 2nd 2011, 15:11

180,000 euro to fight the referendum for divorce, literally down the drain!
How may euro to fight this court case and appeal?
Will these victims receive compensation for their suffering.
Neither cash nor the conviction will erase the psychological harm that these misdeeds have caused.
But the authorities have finally noticed that it is important to show that the long arm of the law, even at snail pace, is equal for everyone.
Meanwhile, the Church Response Team continues to drag its feet!

Ms Louise Vella

Aug 2nd 2011, 15:09

All over the world when Roman Catholic bishops got to know of yet another case of sexual abuse by priests they promised to look into the matter and all they did was transfer the offending priests to yet another parish where they could continue abusing children. Abusive priests simply vanished for apparently no reason from one parish and placed in another parish. Parishioners were not told why the priests were being transferred. The public would assume that it was because of the need of the diocese. It would later come to light that they were transferred because of credible accusations of sexual abuse. Bishops just wanted to keep the scandal under wraps at all costs. It is quite reasonable to assume that this pattern of behaviour was also repeated in the Maltese diocese. It is clear to me that bishops are accomplices in this crime. I am truly scandalized by the Church's deviousness in hiding the horrific abuse over decades.

Mr leo attard

Aug 2nd 2011, 15:01

All should bear in mind that it wasn't the priesthood that was put on trial, but the actions of two individuals. If we are to take the wrongdoing individual and use him / her as a representative of the section of society that he or she is a member of, then no one is safe or innocent.... To balance the scales, i can name priests and nuns who have risked their lives (and some actually lost them) while performing missionary work abroad, priests who clean lepers wounds, priests who were bitten by cobras and risked other dangers while performing, voluntarily, duties whose sole purpose was to improve the lives of those less fortunate... Prejudice is rampant! some bloggers are even demanding that the priests not appeal but accept the verdict! Even priests have the legal and democratic right to appeal! So why this anti-clericalism and generalisation? Again, two men who work as priests were found guilty, and not the priesthood!...One more thing, some bloggers should refrain from emphasizing the word 'catholic' giving the impression that catholic priests have some kinfd of a monopoly on child abuse which exists in all religions and social levels.

Mr Charles Grima

Aug 2nd 2011, 14:59

Although I expected the verdict to be harsher, I am still aghast at the goings-on of the the two priests.

As an ex-SPMC student, I remember both Fr.Pulis and the late Br.Bonnett. I can truthfully say that I never saw any wrongdoing personally, so these events are even more shocking to me...

Eventually we mustn't put all the priests under one umbrella...

And my personal opinion is that a person not having any sexual liasions is simply unnatural...

Mr mark johnson

Aug 2nd 2011, 14:54

They are still walking around like free men until the appeal is held.

Joseph Camilleri

Aug 2nd 2011, 14:40

Good. Let the healing now start. It would be opportune to get swift closure on any appeals the guilty parties have a right to so that all involved can move on. One hopes that from all this pain, some good will come out.

Ms D. Borg

Aug 2nd 2011, 14:39

'Fr Scerri was charged, on his own, of raping a boy at Marfa. He was acquitted of that charge because the rape had not taken place at Marfa, but at St Joseph Home.'

This is unbelievable. Did the rape take place or not? I think it's irrelevant whether it was at Marfa or in Hamrun, if it took place he should be punished for that too.

Ġ. Agius

Aug 2nd 2011, 14:37

I believe that them being priests, it was wrong to judge them in the public courthouse. There should have been an internal Curia court and private sentence, no need to make these priests public. They're priests, after all, not normal people.

Mr Joseph Calleja

Aug 2nd 2011, 14:11

The verdict is in, and I hope the eight men get some kind of closure. Five and six years in prison is no picnic for these two aging priests, unless these sentences are somehow reduced or suspended. These two men should serve the full term of their sentences, but we will have to wait and see. Now we have to wait for the second phase of this pedophile abuse, and that is the monetary compensation by the church. The church is just as guilty in protecting these three convicted pedophile priests. And of course what can be said about the Curia Response team? They are still searching for a conclusion after ten years, this judgment should give them a clue? What happened with the 13 other pedophile priests? Are they still practicing priests? Are they still allowed to hear confessions from little innocent children? Why all the hush, hush? Putting the Curia Response Team to investigate such cases is like putting the wolf in charge of the chicken coop. It is as bad as putting them in charge of Annulments.

Mr Kurt Waschnig

Aug 2nd 2011, 14:09

This is again an important day two Catholic priests have been jailed for six years and five years, respectively, after being convicted of sexually abusing boys at St Joseph Home in Hamrun.
These heinous crimes were committed by them 20 years ago.
Delivering the verdict shows that Malta has an independent judiciary.
Abusing and raping children destroys dreams, the future and hopes of children.
The victims, who were then aged between 13 and 16, were resident at St Joseph’s Home in Sta Venera in the late 1980s when the abuse took place.
They could not defend themselves and they were dependent on the priests.

The verdict was greeted by the victims and explained that some of the victims ended up taking drugs, some have died.

Fr Charles Pulis and Fr Godwin Scerri will appeal.

To appeal from the verdict is the wrong way because it shows clearly that Fr Charles Pulis and Fr Godwin Scerri do not realise and recognise what they had done and how they harmed children.

Both should repent and not appeal from the verdict.

This is the way Christians shall choose accepting the verdict and repent and undergo a therapy.

Lawrence Grech is right when he says that the Church process had taken too long but he should not forget that in June 2010, Archbishop Cremona apologised for the delay in the Church investigation.

But we as believers need the Catholic Church, the message of the Church is joy, happiness, love and understanding and our personal faith gives us a meaning of life in a world with conflicts and problems.

The Catholic Church and the Caritas have been doing so much for the elderly, handicapped , drug addicts and in other fields.

Again I understand faith in the way that everything must be done for the victims and if perpetrators repent there should be forgiveness.

The Catholic Church of Malta has introduced the first steps to eradicate child abuse it is true that it has taken a long time but we shall see the efforts taken by the Church.

It comes from my heart now I wish the victims that they can lead a dignified life with joy and happiness.




Best regards



Kurt Waschnig Oldenburg Germany

Mr Slim Bartolo

Aug 2nd 2011, 14:08

G'day fromm down under, not so long ago i read of a similar article in one of our local papers, regarding yet>another Maltese priest a certain Fr.Joseph Sultana at Altherton, apparently this so called priest regularly abused a student at Altherton school up in Queensland regularly between march 79 and November 1982. i don't know what it is with catholic priests but gee i am very dubious about sending my kids to one of their schools whether in Aus. or in Malta. they have left a bad legacy about the whole concept of it all. I just hope the guy in the video has got it all off his chest and will lead a normal life. Good Luck Mate and good day all. Slim from Parramatta.

Mr R ferriggi

Aug 2nd 2011, 14:04

unbeleivable ;

the case was upheld because the rape took place at St Joseph Home not in marfa.

THAT is law courts for you.

unbeleivable.

Alex Fenech

Aug 2nd 2011, 14:00

6 years for 9 nine cases.
8 months in jail per abused child (excluding usual reductions for good conduct)
What message is this giving to other abusers?

Simon Hansford

Aug 2nd 2011, 13:53

I agree with most that 5 and 6 years for ruining, then kids's innocence and this in care of those they should trust, and furthermore stained their memories with horrific experiences is nothing less then shambles, they should be locked away for LIFE !

Mr Ernest Vella

Aug 2nd 2011, 13:49

Justice made its judgement...now pls stop vomitting the hatered towards the Church...These are a very little few and while justice must be done but now lets stop hurting ourselves and look forward. In Malta, we like to hurt ourselves...Lets now remember all those priests who gave there life towards the Maltese people, so much lay persons who sacrifice there loves and with their money make so precious work with our children, youths, families, with all of us. Imagine for instance Malta without so much catechists, youth leaders, members of various groups and Societies. With your vomit you are attacking them too. This is all a hidden agenda to continue ridicule and attack the church so that secular ideas enter and with them your gains

Alfred Gatt

Aug 2nd 2011, 13:39

A priest is a human being and is subject to frailty just like anyone else. Those who are passing harsh comments and judgements (not the Magistrate as that is his duty) be careful that they do not find themselves doing an action which might be just as bad or even worse. We are very quick to judge others but always extremely slow to judge ourselves. This does not mean that one condones what has been done. But remember the many hundreds of priests who have done and are still doing great good to our Maltese society. Let us not forget this.

Ms Louise Vella

Aug 2nd 2011, 13:32

Bishops Mercieca, Cremona and Grech, who project themselves as pillars of the community, must start telling a few truths. They should reveal all they know about the cover-up of priests. They know a number of priests have been credibly accused of sexually abusing minors and yet they do not name them and tell us where they live. A shepherd's job is to protect the flock not to let a wolf attack a defenceless lamb. Nobody except bishops knows the identity and location of credibly accused priests, who have even been defrocked by the Vatican because of their crimes. So how are bishops certain that no one is been harmed by these evil priests?

Through their silence and failure to inform the public of the priests’ history of abusing children, the bishops breach their duty towards the public. Bishops hide from parents and children their knowledge that a number of priests are dangerous sexual predators. They must stop appearing to be protecting paedophiles and they must start protecting children. This silence cannot continue.

Reuben D. Spiteri

Aug 2nd 2011, 13:30

I was almost expecting a suspended sentence as it seems like the new trend.

Thankfully i was mistaken.

TuffyDavies Davidson

Aug 2nd 2011, 13:28

Just because there is a priest or a nun in the family this doesn't automatically means that the immediate family find a place in heaven, the once i know whos son is a priest or a man of the cloth, you won't believe it but at times i hear them arguing and swearing like nobody's business, i can't understand your lingo but i can put 2&2 together, or even expect respect or priority because my daughter is mother superior or my son is a priest, they are all humans and just like humans they all fail at one time or another in their lives, they also like money just like anyone else. We see it all the time here in the UK and i noticed such things exactly same when in Malta, so over the years nothing has changed i dare say.

Mr V Mercieca

Aug 2nd 2011, 13:19

"The evil that men do lives after them, the good is oft interred with their bones"
(Mark Anthony's speech from Julius Ceaser by Shakespeare)

I believe this is also the case with these two priests.

Kevin Camilleri

Aug 2nd 2011, 13:19

Let's not put everyone in the same basket!

First of all, I condemn what happened, and agree that Justice had to be done and it is shameful that the church did not report these facts before and as soon as the church was informed what had happened.

HOWEVER, I attended St. Paul's Missionary College, and I am PROUD that I have attended to that college. I have seen commitment and dedication by all the Fathers and brothers who work in the college and also those who did not directly work withing the college but are involved withing the organisation. It is because not all the youths have access to this sort of upbringing that we have all sorts of rubbish in today's society!

Let's not put everyone in the same basket! These two Fathers failed, big time, but what about those parents who sexually abuse and rape their children... aren't those bigger monsters since the children are flesh of their same flesh?

What they did is unacceptable, and they got what they deserved, but let's not use this moment to crucify the Church, since now this seems to be a local hobby. There are thousands of Fathers and Sisters out there giving their life, everyday, for the society - something, a number of people screaming at the church never did and will never do!

Sylvana Camilleri

Aug 2nd 2011, 13:15

bad priests do not exist....those guilty are bad persons who become priests to attack the vulnarable! the church has a lot of good people who dedicate their lives to help others....

vincent zerafa

Aug 2nd 2011, 13:14

A very well done to the victims! You must have been waiting for this day and finally it came. In my view, those who sexually abuse children should get a much longer prison sentence.
I just hope that all those priests and nuns who have abused children shall finally be brought to justice!

D. Xerri

Aug 2nd 2011, 13:09

ONLY 5years and 6years !! For such cases they would have at least got 15years each along with at least 100,000Euros compensation sum for every victim !!
I expect to see national programmes on Maltese TV well known for their high audiences - to do programmes on this court trial and verdict so people become more aware of such realities around us !!

Mr Joseph Carmel Chetcuti

Aug 2nd 2011, 13:09

Malta votes in favour of divorce and offending priests are imprisoned for the first time ... Malta's own reformation is on its way?!

Alfred Pule

Aug 2nd 2011, 13:08

These culprits spoiled physcologically the whole life of these innocent victims. They deserve life sentence to serve them as a lesson ! More annoying is that they are appealing the verdict ! So it can be interpreted that they pretend was nothing wrong - Shame to these hypocretes !
Curia should promptly remove these proud dirty guys from their priesthood and prohibit them from holy communion ! - they acted as self-passioned individualists .

Jason Zammit

Aug 2nd 2011, 13:06

6 and 5 years only ??????? lock them in jail for their life time

Charlie Borg

Aug 2nd 2011, 13:06

Lou Bondi' .... is seen alongside the victims. But where does he come into the equation? May I ask?

Mr George Busuttil

Aug 2nd 2011, 13:05

We are a civilised country and we must act and behave as civilised, and for many of us Christian, people. Every0ne of us has his weakness. What these priesta have been found guilty of is a horrible crime more so as it was done on innocent boys in their charge. Having said that they are still human persons and should be treated as such. Obviously we should be glad that this case is now close to being concluded but we must also be charitable.
If these two priests will go to prison they are up for a hard time and we should and must do our utmost to see that they are treated fairly and that they do not come to any harm. Just as we should and must do in the case of every other prisoner.
Our organisation will do just that.

George Busuttil
Director
Fondazzjoni Mid-Dlam ghad-Dawl

Carmel Zammit

Aug 2nd 2011, 13:04

Archbishop Cremona apologised for the delay in the Church investigation. The church however did not delay its decision to barr Dr. Deborah Schembri and others from representing clients in the marriage tribunal. I think in both cases the church acted in the most charitable way!!

Christina Pace

Aug 2nd 2011, 12:55

The church punished those they found guilty of abuse byt limiting their pastoral activities to exclude contact with children...hmmm. Pray tell! What will one of these priests tell that budding pedophile who goes to them unkowingly for pastoral advice? Do it as long as you can be sure to nto get caught. Join the clergy first though cause it will protect you from jail.

What's happening with these 13 out of 45 accused.

wendy isaac

Aug 2nd 2011, 12:55

We moved to the island for a 3 year period, however after reading this disgusting stories and others very similar around the world, i just do not trust them, we would never send our daughter to a catholic school any more,, we know what it was like when she attended a nun's school for girls in Ireland, we just lost fate and trust in these people who are as far as i am concerned all Hypocrites.I think these 2 priests should be locked up and put on a sex register along with the other bastards. You people say that Gozo and Malta is a religious country, but i sugest looking even further & deeper and form your own opinion.

A Dimech

Aug 2nd 2011, 12:52

May I also kinldy suggest to the archibishop, that instad of speanding 200,000Euros campaigining against divorce, now spends the same amount (or more) to educate his troops to that unprotected children are not an object of pleasure, and alos to clean the church from tyranny!!

It is tyranny of the worse kind for the church to hide and protect pedeophiles, which now have been proven by justice to be such.

It is even more ironic for the church to then try to block divorce legislation - when in its midst there is such deeds happening, which deeds are it is trying to protect and hide.

I just ask - which on scale of "sin" does the archbishp places these:-
1. Unprotected Children abused and raped by priests;
2. Genuine couple whose marraige falls apart and tries to geninuely start their lives from scratch.

Tell us Archbishop.... your wisdom inspires us all!!

j camilleri

Aug 2nd 2011, 12:52

And may they rot in hell for all the damage they had caused to these poor innocent human beings.

Mr David Smith

Aug 2nd 2011, 12:50

May God forgive all those who commit an injustice, as well all those who rush to pass judgement. May God also forgive all those who refuse to forgive, or who foment hatred and intolerance.

K Attard

Aug 2nd 2011, 12:39

Justice was done??..very debateble!!!. I personally think that shattering the normal sexual balances and permanently scaring the life of all those innocent and defenceless boys merits much more than 5 or 6 years imprisonment. Its hard to express a just figure for such a horrible and willingly repeated act but I would say that removing these animals from society for at least twenty years would have been fairer. This act on these poor boys is like willingly murdering someone..not physically but emotionally and socially...then with the burden of your conscience repeating it over and over again and doing it to other people. Are we putting these things in to perspective? Are these priest going to endure real life prison at Corradino sharing cells and areas with people that although committed other crimes condemn such horrible act or we are just going to issue a medical (mental instability) waiver to accomodate these two at the 4 Star Mount Carmel (Hospital) HOTEL!!!!!

Mr twanny borg

Aug 2nd 2011, 12:38

l-akbar dnub kien li dawn kienu qed jirraprezentaw lill-knisja u li t-tfal imsieken suppost kienu fil-kura taghhom. il-knisja trid tiehu taghlima li tkecci u tirraporta lill-pulizija minnufih qassisin morda b'din il-kilba u li mhux kapaci jikkontrollaw.

A. Farrugia

Aug 2nd 2011, 12:37

The sentence is comparable to individuals who have admitted to similar cases in the past. Some people should inform themselves on our courts' sentencing practices before getting caught in mass hysteria. That way maybe we can contribute more to a rational debate about many important (but 'invisible') matters that are associated with the main issue.

If I may be permitted to say so, what we have here is far from being a case about these men, their frailties, and the Church... which all played their part in those children's tragedy, of course... We need to look further in order to protect our children better and treat all children on these islands with dignity and respect.

Alistor Aguis

Aug 2nd 2011, 12:33

finally justice... but one has to ask would this have happened if priest were allowed to get married?

Mr Hubert Paul Farrugia

Aug 2nd 2011, 12:28

5 and 6 years is too little for a case with multiple charges! Considering the way Maltese law is, life would have not been possible, but 20 years without chance of probabation or parole would have been possible as well as more adequate!

Martin Bugeja

Aug 2nd 2011, 12:23

I never thought I'd live to see the day! May the verdict go some way towards ensuring closure for the victims. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

William Flynn

Aug 2nd 2011, 12:21

These are merely token sentences. They'll be out after 3 years with good behaviour. That is assuming that they will not drag the appeals for another few years and they'll die at home of natural causes in the meantime.

No way are these the only two...just the ones caught and prosecuted...so far...

Mr Joseph Sammut

Aug 2nd 2011, 12:20

"The priests requested a suspension of the sentence pending an appeal." I hope the Court of Appeal will at least double the sentences handed out by the lower court.

Mr Ray Azzopardi

Aug 2nd 2011, 12:18

tal misthija .....tafda it tfal fidejn dawn in nies minflokk il genituri taghhom .......u jispiccaw jghaddu min martirju shih anki wara li johorgu min hemm gew....... mhux nigudika lil kull qasis jew patri ghax nemenli hawn qassisin twajjba u onesti.



naf xqed nghid ........

Ruby Jenner

Aug 2nd 2011, 12:17

The sentence was too leniant. Sentences for drug crime is much harsher. Hope they have a tough time in prison. They took advantage of already very vunerable children destroyed their childhood and scarred them for life.
I hope now that this court case will encourage other abuse victim's to come forward and help to stamp out this evil

A Dimech

Aug 2nd 2011, 12:15

No preferential treatment whilst in prison please. The children who suffered because of them will be scared for their lives.

Maltese church - take count and clean your act; stop wasting your time on divorce issues, and about time to have a look in the mirror for once!

An. Caucchi

Aug 2nd 2011, 12:15

JUST 6 years ??
All paedophiles should go to jail for the rest of their LIFE ! regardless if they are priests or workers or whatever !

Joseph Stephen Galea

Aug 2nd 2011, 12:14

Matthew 13
Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.
“The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’
“‘An enemy did this,’ he replied.
“The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’
“‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”

IF THE WEEDS MAKE IT TO THE FRONT PAGE OF OUR NEWSPAPERS, WHY NOT THE WHEAT ??

Mrs Rita Dimech Portelli

Aug 2nd 2011, 12:13

I say to the victims.. Keep your head up high, some justice has finally been done. You are innocent, they are the criminals, not you. God bless you and keep you safe.

Mr mark johnson

Aug 2nd 2011, 12:11

I sincerely hope they won't be treated differently than any other sex offenders whilst in prison because they are priests.

O. Tretyak

Aug 2nd 2011, 12:11

The World applauds to Lawrence Grech, The Brave Man!

Claire Abela

Aug 2nd 2011, 12:09

At long last, justice has been done!! Hope all other pedos will follow suit!!! We hope that the Church Authorities will learn a good lesson and finally will stop playing musical chairs with the parish priests and when the members of a local community point out any wrong doing in the parish priest or clergy, they will stop administering the sacraments and being a priest and not asked to undergo other pastoral work in the Curia Buildings just to keep an eye on them!!! il qasba qatt ma caqcqet al xejn!!!!

Mr Joseph Mizzi

Aug 2nd 2011, 12:07

May I address Fr Charles and Fr Godwin. You must feel overwhelmed by the sense of shame, guilt and failure, and rightly so. You have sinned against God. You have defiled the innocent and scarred them for life. You have caused untold grief to their parents and families. You have brought reproach to the church and the gospel. You wish you can change the past, but alas, you cannot. You justly ended up in prison. But you are not beyond the grace of God. By faith grasp the cross of Jesus Christ for forgiveness and peace with God. God is merciful to all of us who sincerely repent and call on the name of Jesus, no matter how debased and foul we are.

a micallef

Aug 2nd 2011, 12:06

at last it seems justice had been done,hope it will be step one against all pedofilans in malta.

Mandy Gatt

Aug 2nd 2011, 12:05

This is not justice!!!!!!!!!!!!! 5 & 6 years are not enough!!!!!!

joseph alamango

Aug 2nd 2011, 12:00

Nispera li min kien inkarigat u kien jaf b' dawn il kazi , u heba l abbuzi ta dawn it taparsi qassisin , tmissu il kuxjenza u jtkellem ghax daqshom jew iktar hati ghax il hsara kbira li sofrew dawn it tfal ma tistax tissewwa , sahansitra hemm vittmi li illum mejta.

Andrew Azzopardi

Aug 2nd 2011, 11:58

Wow the heat is really on this summer...no wonder we've registered an increase in the temperature averages!

http://andrewazzopardi.wordpre​ss.com/impulsive-writing/

John Borg Barthet

Aug 2nd 2011, 11:57

Are they serious? Raping little boys it seems is not as bad a crime in the eyes of the law than the vegetable hawker that got caught selling the wrong greens... nice keep it up!

Ms Louise Vella

Aug 2nd 2011, 11:53

2

This court sentence is dedicated to all victims of clergy sexual abuse who kept silent because they feared they would not be believed if they told people what happened. It is dedicated to all victims of sexual abuse by priests who were punished for speaking out and were not believed as they were told that priests were incapable of such evil. It is also dedicated to all victims and their parents who were persuaded by their bishops or other church leaders to forgive and forget and therefore to shut up.

Finally it is a tribute to all victims who were for too long regarded as enemies of the good reputation of the Church if they spoke out and told that if they spread rumours they would harm the church and go to hell.

Ms Louise Vella

Aug 2nd 2011, 11:52

I

The victims must be thanked for speaking up and taking action to expose the truth about being sexually abused by priests. They are to be praised for their courage and determination. The only way we have found out what these paedophile priests were doing is through the courage, persistence, pain, sorrow, and scars of the survivors.

These paedophile priests preyed upon the young boys at a time when their sexual identity was still developing. They used their power and position in the church to groom and abuse children. Let’s hope that others, who may have knowledge or suspect or may have been harmed, will find the courage and strength to speak up, call police, expose wrongdoing, and protect children.

Demis Paul Scerri

Aug 2nd 2011, 11:51

Shame towards the Curia for their delaying tactics and of course towards the priests in question!!!! You should start to experience what is hell all about at Corradino.

E Schembri

Aug 2nd 2011, 11:50

Now that this chapter has been closed and justice done, lets hope that we will not get another barrage of anti-church comments and hatred.

...As there other hundreds of other priests who have sacrificed their entire lives in helping children, couples and families without being given any credit and media exposure.

J Dalli

Aug 2nd 2011, 11:50

"The priests requested a suspension of the sentence pending an appeal."

Is this some kind of joke?

They've ruined so many people's lives, some of which even committed suicide, and they think a pathetic 6 years is too much for them? They deserve no less than a - literally - life sentence.

When they come out it's going to be even worse.

Nowadays parents have learned not to trust their children with priests more than strictly necessary, but if these criminals come out of prison as lay men it's going to be much easier for them to abuse other children! When will we ever learn?

Frank Borg

Aug 2nd 2011, 11:48

Good, justice is served, lets hope the appeal won't take another 8 years to be concluded so that these 2 evil men will start their jail sentence.....

Denise formosa

Aug 2nd 2011, 11:48

FINALLY! these men should be ashamed of themselves, they destroyed so many lives when they actually are supposed to help people. they deserve life imprisonment.

Mark-anthony Fenech

Aug 2nd 2011, 11:43

At long last!

Joseph Pace

Aug 2nd 2011, 11:42

Only 6 years???

U. D'Amico

Aug 2nd 2011, 11:36

justice at last

Mr Ernest Vella

Aug 2nd 2011, 11:35

Nispera ma nergawx nibdew bl-attakki kontra l-Knisja...jekk zbalja jiehu l-kastig li haqqu imma m'ghandux jehel mieghu min hu innocenti

Reuben Chircop St John

Aug 2nd 2011, 11:35

Finally some good news ! , Hope all other pedo fellows will join them.....