The Curia has denied that it abandoned the victims of priest abuse, saying they had been contacted by the Missionary Society of St Paul and invited to approach it for help.

The MSSP, under whose care the men lived at St Joseph’s Home 20 years ago, wrote to the victims in October 2011, a spokesman said.

“In fact, a number of those involved approached the society and are receiving help ,” the spokesman added.

Lawrence Grech, one of the victims, had told The Times he had expected to be approached by the Therapeutic Evaluation Board, which was set up by the Church last October and tasked with directing victims of clerical sexual abuse to therapy .

The Curia spokesman said that the Church had “more than once” publicly invited victims to come forward.

Full story in The Times.