The Church’s Response Team is looking into claims that sexual abuse was committed several times by a 54-year-old priest from Rabat, who is due to appear in court to face criminal charges over the allegations.

The Sunday Times of Malta broke the story of the court case last weekend after the case had been kept under wraps for a year-and-a-half.

In reply to questions, a Church spokesman said yesterday that the matter was being investigated by the Response Team, which was set up to deal with such allegations.

“The case is still pending before the Response Team. Given the fact that every person is presumed innocent until proven guilty, and to avoid hindering or influencing the judicial process, no other information will be divulged at this stage,” he said.

The alleged abuser, who has been a priest for nearly three decades, is due in court to face charges of violent sexual abuse against a person who at the time was mentally unstable. He is also being accused of holding the woman against her will and committing indecent acts in public.

The charges were first filed in May 2013. But the case is yet to begin as the priest has presented medical certificates on three occasions saying he could not attend the court sittings.

The incidents are alleged to have taken place at various locations over a period of years.

The woman, in her 40s, was receiving treatment following a suicide attempt at the time the sexual assaults allegedly took place.

The police are also investigating claims of sexual abuse made by other women.

The priest is denying all charges.

Asked whether the priest had been removed from his ministry until his case is heard or whether he was still in contact with people, the spokesman said this decision lay with his superiors.

“Any measures taken to limit or prohibit the priests’ ministry pending proceedings are decided by the Diocesan bishop in the case of a Diocesan priest and by the Major Superior of a religious order in the case of a religious priest,” he said.

Times of Malta decided not to name the priest involved – in line with what it believes is an accepted norm in ethical journalism, save for truly exceptional circumstances – because he has not yet been charged with the offences in court.

This media organisation will not deviate from this position even though it has been aware of the priest’s identity all along.