Father Charles Fenech, the Dominican friar accused of sexually abusing a number of women, has sent an SMS to several people on his contacts list and insisted he is innocent, TVM is reporting. The full SMS reads: "The accusations made in media are all false truth will come out. God will win pray 4 me and i for u."

It is being reported that Fr Fenech sent out the SMS after The Malta Independent on Sunday yesterday published parts of a sworn affidavit by one of the alleged victims regarding alleged sexual abuse by the priest. The affidavit contained details of her relationship with him. The woman gave a chronological account of the various times she and Fr Charles Fenech were involved sexually.

She said that after her marriage was annulled, she threw a party to which Fr Charles Fenech was invited. It was here that he tried to kiss her for the first time.

Fr Fenech's case has been before the Curia Response Team for at least eight years.

The Malta Independent revealed the priest's name last week. Since then he has been removed from the post of director of the Kerygma Movement. He has also been barred from celebrating Mass in public, giving Holy Communion, hearing confession and giving last rites.