MALTA
Malta Independent
A 44-year-old priest today was charged with defiling three boys, participating in sexual acts with minors and being in possession of child pornography.
Fr Donald Bellizzi, who is the airport chaplain, denied the charges and was remanded in custody
The priest, who lives in a Rabat convent, was arraigned before Magistrate Josette Demicoli. The court heard how he allegedly defiled the children between 2010 and 2013. The alleged victims are now between 18 and 19 years old.
Inspector Joseph Busuttil said the children were entrusted in his care and attended a vocation group. Five boys attended the group but only three made complaints about him.
Lawyer Giannella de Marco, appearing for the accused, said Fr Bellizzi was strongly contesting the charges being brought against him. Dr de Marco made a request for bail but the prosecution objected, arguing about the vulnerability of the witnesses. The alleged victims, they said, all lived in the vicinity of Rabat and there were other witnesses who were priests living at the same convent.
Dr de Marco said her client was prepared to move out of the convent to live with his parents in Gzira until the case was heard. The prosecution however objected, saying that until last week Fr Bellizzi was speaking to the family of one of the youths. The prosecution said the priest had sent a number of text messages to the mother asking why they had suddenly stopped speaking to him. His sister had also sent similar messages.
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