There is no indication that the incidence of abuse of minors and youths in Church residential institutions is currently any higher than in other similar institutions, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi told opposition MP Evarist Bartolo in reply to a parliamentary question.

Mr Bartolo had asked if the Prime Minister would consider appointing a national commission, as had been done in other European countries, to investigate abuses on minors and youths residing in Church institutions over the past 40 years.

Dr Gonzi said the country already had independent institutions set up explicitly to investigate any allegations of abuse in line with accepted rules in democratic societies. He had full confidence in such institutions and could not see how the appointment of a commission as suggested by Mr Bartolo could benefit the thousands of children who had been brought up in Church residential institutions.