The Church will have special investigators to speed up clerical sex abuse probes as part of a thorough revamp on how to deal with such cases.
An investigator will carry out a preliminary investigation within a stipulated timeframe, according to the new Church policy released yesterday.
The investigator will report his findings to the head of a new Safeguarding Commission that will replace the Response Team.
If any member of the Church becomes aware of any attempt to silence the victim he or she will be obliged to inform the Head of Safeguarding immediately
The changes are expected to come into effect by the end of January when new faces will be appointed in the new roles, a Curia statement said.
In a pastoral letter for Advent, Apostolic Administrator Charles Scicluna called for public cooperation by reporting abuse or the risk of abuse.
He begged forgiveness for all those things which could have wounded people. “I commit myself to do my part in order that, together with the other bishops and religious superiors, we may uphold our duty to safeguard our flock to the best of our abilities, and as far as we are able to,” he said.
The overhaul comes at a time when the Response Team, set up in 1999, is facing renewed criticism for delayed investigations into allegations of sexual abuse by Dominican priest Charles Fenech. A woman, in her 40s, alleged she was abused during the course of a relationship with Fr Fenech. This allegedly started when she was receiving treatment at Mount Carmel Hospital. She reported the case to the Curia Response Team in 2006 and the investigation is still open.
According to the policy, alleged abusers may consult a lawyer before appearing in front of the special investigator but will attend the interview unaccompanied.
The policy specifically says that under no circumstance should any gifts or money be exchanged in order to silence the alleged victim.
“If any member of the Church becomes aware of any attempt to silence the victim he or she will be obliged to inform the Head of Safeguarding immediately,” the policy states, adding that failure to do so will result in disciplinary action in accordance with Canon Law or civil legislation.
The policy makes it incumbent on the bishops to “cooperate with the civil authorities” to ensure that any legal requirements concerning reporting of crimes are “complied with in good time”.
It also underscores that confidentiality outside the sacrament of confession is “not an absolute value”.
kurt.sansone@timesofmalta.com