Archbishop Charles Scicluna and Gozo Bishop Mario Grech have agreed to publish with immediate effect any decisions taken by the Safeguarding Commission on priests involved in allegations of abuse of minors.
In a joint statement, the bishops said the protection of minors is always at the top of the Church’s agenda.
The publication of information on www.maltadiocese.org and www.gozodiocese.org will be in line with existing procedures in place to protect minors.
In 2014, a new policy was drawn up whereby, when an allegation of abuse on a minor by a priest is made, the Bishop immediately suspends the priest so that he no longer has any contact with minors and the case is referred to the Safeguarding Commission to assess it.
The names of defrocked priests will start being published on the Malta and Gozo church websites with immediate effect. This is in addition to the current practice of informing the parish priest of the town where the former priest would be living.