Curia denies compensation to victims of clerical sexual abuse

The Maltese archdiocese has declared it cannot be held legally responsible for the criminal behaviour of disgraced priests Godwin Scerri and Charles Pulis, who were found guilty of the sexual abuse of minors under their care at the MSSP's St Joseph Home in Santa Venera, and could therefore not be held responsible for damages.

The victims of clerical abuse are seeking financial compensation from the Maltese archdiocese.

But in a court application filed yesterday, the Curia held that the allegations against the archdiocese were time-barred by two years, and argued that it could not be collectively held responsible for the actions of the two priests.

Ten victims filed a financial claim for damages in May 2013, without specifying the amount they were seeking in the hope that it would be the court, through an appointed expert, that establishes the damages they were due.

Scerri and Pulis, members of the Missionary Society of Saint Paul, were found guilty of abusing children entrusted in their care.

The archdiocese has also defended its position by insisting that the victims' claims in its regard were unfounded as it had always sought the best interest of the less fortunate.

The two priests received a collective jail term of 11 years. Their request for appeal was thrown out in November.

The archdiocese's application was signed by lawyers Dominic Cassar and Joseph Brincat.