The judgement in the case of two priests who have been sentenced to a total of 11 years in prison for sexually abusing boys under their care at St Joseph Home has again brought to the fore the issue of what to do when members of the clergy are involved in such despicable offences.
The two priests, both members of the Missionary Society of St Paul, have appealed the judgment and one of them has already been defrocked with a decision on the other expected soon. Thus, the case is not fully concluded yet and one hopes the appeals court decides on the matter soonest. That is in the two priests’ own interest, in the interest of society and of the Church itself.
The Church and clerics who make so many sacrifices to serve the less fortunate and the needy in society have suffered and continue to suffer because of such sins. It is wrong to put all apples, good and bad, in one basket. It is also incorrect to consider all clerics with disdain because of the few who err.
Yet, and beyond the considerations of the particular case now in the headlines, it is an undeniable fact that cases like this cause painful wounds that are difficult to heal, if at all possible. It is also a fact that where the perpetrator is a priest, the crime is particularly grave. Church leaders themselves recognise that it contradicts the clerical office because the priest exploits the particular closeness that people associate with a cleric.
As Pope Benedict XVI told the Irish abuse victims in a pastoral letter addressed to the Catholics of Ireland last year, nothing can undo the wrong such victims endure.
Their trust is betrayed and their dignity is violated. “Many of you found that, when you were courageous enough to speak of what happened to you, no one would listen. Those of you who were abused in residential institutions must have felt that there was no escape from your sufferings. It is understandable that you find it hard to forgive or be reconciled with the Church. In her name, I openly express the shame and remorse that we all feel,” said the Pope.
Those words might as well be addressed to the group of Maltese victims who faced such an uphill battle for justice to finally be done with them.
Unfortunately, in this case – possibly in others too – the Church in Malta did not appear to be very forthcoming. The length of time its Response Team took to address the reports is both shocking and unacceptable.
Somebody within the Church in Malta – and nobody should hide behind the institution – must assume responsibility in the eyes of the public. So far, to their shame, nobody has. Expressing “sorrow” is simply not enough, although it is a start.
Maybe the time has come for the Church in Malta to revisit its 1999 policy and procedure on allegations of sexual abuse in pastoral work. This should plug all loopholes that could lead to cover-ups or concealments. It should also strive to provide victims and their relatives with the best possible compassionate, therapeutic and pastoral support, which adapts to take into account each individual’s personal circumstances.
Also, considering that sexual abuse of minors is not just a canonical transgression but also a crime prosecuted by civil law, as already noted by The Times the time may be ripe for a national campaign aimed at providing new tools for the prevention and reporting of sexual abuse, raising awareness and empowering parents, carers and children.