Curia says compensation time-barred in St Joseph abuse case

The Maltese archdiocese has told the court in a compensation suit filed by 11 men, that the request is not possible since the crime they are demanding compensation for is now time-barred.

But the lawyers for the 11 men said the Curia's offer to help the victims of sexual abuse committed by two former MSSP priests at the St Joseph Home, had legally interrupted the call for 'time-barring' raised by defence lawyers.

In November 2012, MSSP priests Carmelo Pulis and Godwin Scerri were defrocked and handed a six and five-year jail term respectively. Following the priest's imprisonment, the 11 victims, led by Lawrence Grech - the man who broke his silence on the case, called for financial compensation but did not specify any amount. The compensation claim was filed against the Curia, the government, the Attorney General, Carmel Pulis, Godwin Scerri, the Archbishop and the St Paul's Missionary Society.

With parties in agreement on the dates mentioned in the previous judgements as the date of the offence, the defence counsel argued that the request for compensation was now time-barred.

Lawyer Patrick Valentino and Franco Vassallo said they will present evidence that the call for time-barring was frivolous. "While agreeing that time has passed, we reiterate that the Curia itself had offered assistance to the 11 victims in any possible way, except financially. Nevertheless the offer for help, including psychological counselling, in fact interrupted the time lapse claimed by the defence," the lawyers told MaltaToday.

The defence claimed it would exhibit evidence to the contrary. The lawyers also asked for an extension of time for the former priests to file their legal reply to the compensation claim, as the 20 days granted by law had elapsed. The judge upheld the request.

Mr Justice Lino Farrugia Sacco postponed the sitting for 12 February for the hearing of the plaintiff's evidence.