Clerical abuse: Curia replies to request for compensation, denies responsibility

The Curia said today that it could not be held legally responsible for the criminal acts made by former priests Godwin Scerri and Charles Pulis, who were convicted of child sex abuse. The Curia was replying in court to a case filed in May where ten clerical child abuse victims sued the two former priests, the Church and the government for damages. The victims did not asking for a specific amount but said they were  expecting the court to appoint an expert to identify what losses they suffered as a direct result of the abuse. The civil lawsuit was filed by Lawrence Grech, Joseph Magro, Leonard Camilleri, David Cassar, Noel Dimech, Angelo Spiteri, Raymond Azzopardi, Charles Falzon, Phillip Cauchi and Joseph Mangion. See also http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20130525/local/Cleric-abuse-victims-sue-institutions-for-damages.471101 In its reply today, the Curia said the Church could not be collectively held responsible for the actions of Scerri and Pulis. Although the Archdiocese had pastoral responsibilities, it did not have responsibility for personal actions of its members which exposed them to criminal or civil actions. Furthermore, without prejudice, the Curia said the...