Bondì steps down as victims’ media adviser

TV journalist Lou Bondì has cut his ties with the group of men who as teenagers were sexually abused by priests, ahead of their legal battle for compensation.

According to separate statements issued yesterday by Mr Bondì and the victims’ spokesman Lawrence Grech, the move follows clashes over who should speak to the media and whether the victims should meet politicians.

Mr Grech accused Mr Bondì of setting conditions to suit his interests instead of providing unconditional help.

“In Malta, everyone wants to help you, but on their own terms,” Mr Grech complained, claiming that the TV personality, who helped the victims throughout their eight-year legal battle, did not let them take part in TV programmes that were not produced by Where’s Everybody, except for ordinary news bulletins.

“We broke his rules about not talking to other media, he got offended and ended our relationship, using the excuse that he did not like what we said about the bishops.”

Mr Bondì has refuted these claims, saying the victims did, in fact, go on other programmes and were never told not to do so.

Mr Grech refused to elaborate on claims in other media that the trouble began when Mr Bondì made sure that a meeting between the victims and Labour leader Joseph Muscat took place in private, without allowing press coverage.

Meanwhile, Mr Bondì said the victims had wanted to meet Dr Muscat and Lawrence Gonzi a year ago but he objected because this was not a political issue. He denied ever telling the victims that he would step down if they met Dr Muscat.

He said he did not even know the victims had gone ahead with the meeting, as reported by other media yesterday.

“They acted behind my back, which proves how correct I was to step aside.”

Mr Bondì said that at a meeting last Thursday it was decided that since this was a legal issue, comments to the press would only be made by the lawyer, Patrick Valentino.

“No sooner had the meeting finished that Lawrence Grech gave comments to the press,” Mr Bondì complained.

Then on Saturday some of the victims turned up before a press conference with posters criticising the Church and the Archbishop. The press conference was meant to have been addressed only by Dr Valentino.

“I am truly sorry that it has come to this,” Mr Bondì said.

Mr Bondì made the original announcement of his stepping down on his blog where he published an e-mail he sent to the some of the victims and Dr Valentino.

In the e-mail he criticised recent actions and declarations made by the victims against the Church, saying he “absolutely” disagreed with them and said so from the start.

“Unfortunately, my advice was not heeded,” he wrote.

Although he said he had mulled the idea of stepping aside for some time, Mr Bondì took his decision on the same day the victims held a press conference outside the Curia in Floriana, where they criticised the Church’s decision not to offer financial compensation.

Before the press conference some of the victims held placards criticising the Church. One of the placards said that by not giving compensation, the bishops were perpetuating the abuse.

When Dr Valentino arrived for the press conference, he ordered the placards to be removed and asked the journalists not to report this spontaneous protest but to stick to what was about to be said at the press conference.

In his statement Mr Bondì mentioned other reasons for his decision, saying that his work was done since after eight long years, justice had been served.

“The current legal effort for financial compensation is valid and I hope it ends successfully. But this is not part of what I worked for with you in the past eight years so I don’t see any role left for me.”

He said he hoped the new legal battle would end successfully and he would continue supporting them as he always had.