MALTA
Malta Independent
Rachel Attard & Stephen Calleja
A case regarding sexual abuse on vulnerable women by Dominican priest Fr Charles Fenech has been before the Curia Response Team for at least eight years, The Malta Independent has learnt.
The case before the church tribunal is over and above the court case instituted by the police against Fr Fenech.
The Malta Independent this morning revealed that Fr Fenech, known for his organisation of volleyball marathons in aid of Dar Tal-Providenza, is facing charges of sexual abuse against at least five women. He was summoned to court on three occasions but did not turn up, citing illness.
The Malta Independent made a conscious and responsible decision to publish the name of the priest in full respect towards ethical standards. People who are not priests who are accused of similar crimes have always been named unless the victims were relatives and could be identified. In this case, the alleged victims are not relatives of Fr Fenech. The Malta Independent will not protect members of the clergy if they are accused of such crimes.
The case was brought before the Church Response team at the time that Mgr Joseph Mercieca was Archbishop of Malta. The Malta Independent has also learnt that when Mgr Paul Cremona was ordained Archbishop, some of the alleged victims approached him with their accusations against Fr Fenech.
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