Archbishop Paul Cremona on behalf of the Maltese Church this morning made a formal apology to Maltese child migrants for the hardship they suffered when they were transferred to Australia under a special emigration programme between 1950 and 1965.

Mgr Cremona made his apology when he spoke at the opening of the Convention for Maltese Living Abroad, in Valletta.

His apology came a few days after a similar apology made in Parliament by Prime Minister Lawrece Gonzi, who was seconded by Opposition leader Joseph Muscat.

310 Maltese child migrants were sent to Australia through the efforts of Maltese political and ecclesiastical authorities, with the consent of parents or guardians. It later emerged that they were forced to work in institutions and many were not educated. A number of them suffered physical and sexual abuse.

The governments of Australia and the UK, among others, have also apologised for the distress caused to the children.

Mgr Cremona also said he plans to meet the Maltese community in Canada and the UK later this year.

The opening session was also addressed by, among others, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, Opposition leader Joseph Muscat and Foreign Mnister Tonio Borg.