I would like to point out to Revel Barker (Miami Vice, October 24) and to readers that the only spokesman for Bishop Mario Grech is the undersigned Gozo Curia PRO, and that I never made any declaration as implied by Mr Barker.

May I reiterate that according to the Statement of Policy and Procedure in cases of sexual abuse of the Maltese Ecclesiastical Province "by sexual abuse we mean any form of behaviour by the pastoral functionary that is sexual by nature or connation with a non-consenting adult. Failure by such adult or adults to reject such behaviour does not necessarily imply consent. However, when a pastoral functionary engages in sexual contact or sexualised behaviour in a pastoral relationship, or in cases of an existing power imbalance, such behaviour is considered to be always abusive whether with or without consent".

Child sexual abuse is the improper exposure of a child to sexual contact, activity or behaviour. Child sexual abuse occurs also in acts of omission as defined in the case of sexual abuse between adults.

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