Australian bishopric says priest in sex abuse claims returned to Gozo

The man, 38, from Cairns in Australia, told The Cairns Post he suffered severe depression before seeking professional counselling to come to terms with the abuse he suffered at the hands of Fr Joseph Sultana.

“This matter has been pushed aside for so long, I’ve held it back for 30 something years,” he said. “It’s been many, many endless years of pain and tragedy.”

The Cairns man launched a personal injury civil claim in the Supreme Court against the Roman Catholic Trust Corporation for the Diocese of Cairns and the Corporation of the Sisters of Mercy for the Diocese of Cairns.

In his sworn affidavit, the man says he was repeatedly abused as a student and altar boy at St Joseph’s School and Church at Atherton by Fr Sultana between March 1979 and November 1982.

He said the church failed to report the matters to police or remove Fr Sultana from contact with children when they were alerted to the allegations of abuse.

The Cairns Post said the Gozo diocese was ‘investigating’ if Fr Sultana, who is believed to have moved back in 1997 or 1998, is still residing there.

According to the Cairns Post, the Archbishop of Brisbane John Bathersby was Bishop of Cairns in 1986 when Fr Sultana was serving as in the same diocese.

The present Bishop of Cairns, James Foley, claims Bathersby did not receive any sexual abuse complaints about Fr Sultana during his bishopric.

Bishop Foley said he had spoken to other priests and nuns who all denied ever being aware of any sex abuse complaints against Fr Sultana.

The Cairns man, who said he still has nightmares about the abuse by Fr Sultana, said he was “strong and determined” to fight his legal claim. “I’m determined to follow it all the way through and I hope it brings other kids forward,” he said.

Bishop statement on abuse claims – unedited

This is an unedited statement from James Foley DD DPh Bishop – Catholic Diocese of Cairns in response to questions from The Cairns Post.

I met briefly with the editor-at-large of [Cairns.com.au] on Friday afternoon October 29: When these matters were brought to my attention, action was taken promptly and properly.

His information was largely drawn from documents filed in court containing, as yet, untested allegations.

I advised him that there were inaccuracies and inconsistencies in the complainant’s version of events which yet had to be aired and tested in potential legal proceedings.

While aware of legal restrictions and other sensitivities, I can state with certainty the following:

1: The first suggestions of child sexual abuse were raised with me, by the original complainant on 24 July, 1998, after I had already removed Joseph Sultana from ministry for other reasons.

2: In 1998, I had discussions with my predecessors in office: John Torpie (deceased 2002) and John Bathersby, which established that they had never received complaints of child sexual abuse by Joseph Sultana.

3: As to the allegations made in November 2009 by the second complainant, the Religious Sister implicated is now deceased.

Other Priests and Sisters would swear that they did not know, nor were they informed of any child sexual abuse complaints against Joseph Sultana.

4: I sat with and heard both complainants’ versions of events and each one of us genuinely struggled to establish the truth. However, there remain for me vagaries, contradictions and inconsistencies which can now only be resolved in the pending legal process.

5: To this end, and from the very beginning, I urged both complainants to take their concerns to the police. The second complainant alleges in his affidavit that I made no such recommendation in the course of our meeting. However, I certainly did press for police involvement at this meeting.

As I explained, Joseph Sultana had returned to Malta and only law enforcement authorities could compel his co-operation in any investigation of the complaint.

6: The Church hopes to reach with the second complainant a satisfactory resolution of this matter which is alleged to have occurred over 30 years ago.

The premature and sensational reporting of this matter may have caused further pain to the complainants and/or their families. Fortunately, at least, they have not been identified by name.

When these matters were brought to my attention, action was taken promptly and properly.

Implications to the contrary do not help in ascertaining the truth of these matters nor do they assist in healing any harm which may have been done.