Updated | Priest charged with defilement, child porn • Church reported case to police

The 44-year-old chaplain of the airport chapel has been remanded in custody this morning after being charged with defiling three underage boys, participating in sexual acts with them and being in possession of child pornography.

Before Magistrate Josette Demicoli, Fr Donald Bellizzi was arraigned under arrest and charged with defiling the minors over the period between 2010 and 2013. The victims are now over 18.

The court heard police Inspector Joseph Busuttil accuse the cleric of abusing the three boys at a time when they were part of a group of five who were discerning their vocation to the priesthood.  The other two boys did not report any abuse.

Defence lawyer Giannella de Marco requested bail, telling the court that her client was strongly contesting the charges.

Police inspector John Spiteri, prosecting, objected to this request on the grounds that the witnesses were vulnerable to manipulation and due to the risk of  evidence being tampered with.

The witnesses all lived in the Rabat area and include other priests who reside at the same convent as the accused.

De Marco informed the court that her client would be open to moving in with his parents until the case is decided.

De Marco pointed out that there was no evidence that her client had tampered with any evidence in the for years since the alleged abuse. The accused had cooperated fully with the police, said the lawyer.

But the prosecution retorted that Fr Bellizzi had visited the family of one alleged victim as recently as last week and had sent several text messages to the boy's mother asking why all communication has suddenly ceased. Messages of a similar nature had also been recieved from the priest's sister, the court was told.

Bail was denied, the magistrate saying the possibility of interference with the prosecution's evidence was too high.

The court turned down a request by the defence for a ban on the publication of the name of the accused, saying there were no reasons at law to uphold this request, but agreed to prohibit his convent from being identified.

In a statement, the Church Commission for the Safeguarding of Children and Vulnerable Adults said that it had forwarded the case to the Police to investigate. "Whilst upholding the presumption of innocence, and irrespective of the outcome of the Court case, action was taken, without prejudice, to safeguard all parties. This was done in consultation with the Provincial of the respective Religious Order."