TIRANë (ALBANIA)
Times of Malta [Mriehel Malta]
June 4, 2025
Archbishop Emeritus George Frendo on Wednesday evening apologised for “inadvertently” suggesting that victims of clerical abuse should forgive their abusers before filing a police report — a statement that has sparked outrage, with the Lisa Maria Foundation calling for him to be “kicked out of the Church”.
Frendo was reacting to a Times of Malta report about his comments on a live television programme where he encouraged victims of clerical abuse to forgive their perpetrators first before going to the police.
In a statement, Frendo insisted that he condemned the clerical abuse of minors “in all its forms”.
He said that forgiveness should not be an alternative to reporting such cases to the authorities.
“I apologise if, even inadvertently, I could have been perceived as conveying an alternative impression,” Frendo said.
The retired bishop was part of a panel of four people – three of them priests – on religous TV channel UTV discussing the case of a parish priest who was sentenced to 20 months in prison last week for defiling a sacristan’s 15-year-old niece.0 seconds of 3 minutes, 41 secondsVolume 90%
“While I urged victims to find it within their hearts to forgive the perpetrators of such despicable acts – which is in line with the teachings of the Gospel – I did not in any way seek to convey the impression given by headlines in the media that this should be an alternative to reporting the matter to the relevant authorities,” Frendo said.
“I wish to make it clear that I condemn clerical abuse of minors in all its forms, and I fully support the role of the Church’s Safeguarding Commission in assisting victims both with counselling and reporting such cases to the police,” he added.
He praised the Commission for its “professional and compassionate” handling of such cases.
‘Kick him out’
In a strongly worded statement issued late on Wednesday evening, the Lisa Maria Foundation called for Bishop Frendo and his colleagues to be “kicked out of the Church” and be held accountable for the irresponsible use of power and a public space”.
“It is time for some to realise that wearing robes or being in a position of power does not confer moral infallibility. If anything, it comes with greater responsibility,” a spokesperson for the foundation said.
It called on Bishop Frendo and his colleagues to “step out of the shadow of a bygone era and join a Church that prioritises safeguarding the vulnerable over shielding the revered.”
“Or, frankly, be kicked out of the Church completely,” the spokesperson added.
“They should definitely not be allowed to use a public forum to spread such damaging messages which places incredulous responsibilities on victims of abuse and which ridicule the efforts of the Safeguarding Commission in eradicating abuse and any form of acceptance of it.”
The Foundation emphatically disagreed with the suggestion that victims should seek reconciliation with their abusers or that forgiveness has some moral primacy over justice.
“No. A child who is abused by a member of the clergy or anyone else deserves the full protection of the law,” it said.
The foundation singled out Fr Colin Apap, commending him for saying that under no circumstances should abuse be tolerated, “as he sat in the midst of such bigotry”.
Survivor-centred discourse
The Maltese Association of Social Workers have called for a more survivor-centred discourse in relation to abuse, in response to comments about forgiveness before going to the police.
In a statement on Wednesday, MASW criticised such comments as “deeply invalidating, potentially discouraging [victims of abuse] from coming forward, seeking help, or believing that justice will be served”.
“The journey of a survivor is often marked by fear, confusion, anger, and deep emotional pain. Suggesting that a victim should offer forgiveness before even seeking justice, not only misplaces moral responsibility but dangerously confuses healing with silence,” MASW said.
The association added that forgiveness “if and when it comes” is the result of a “long and difficult therapeutic process”.
MASW also raised concerns about suggestions that minor girls may not truly be minor dur to their appearance.
“A minor is a minor,” association vice chairperson Charlene Martin said. “Any attempt to shift blame onto the victim, based on appearance or behaviour, is not only morally wrong but legally indefensible.”