I refer to the article regarding the Curia’s silence on a Maltese paedophile priest’s appointment in Malta and the letter from the communications officer of the Maltese archdiocese (TMIS, 31 January).

The Curia’s reluctance to give information on paedophile priests is well known and comes as no surprise. It seems that the reputation of the Church and priest child molesters takes precedence over the protection of innocent children. Surely the very powerful Church in Malta needs no protection and criminal priests do not deserve it. I suggest that the Curia provide immediately the Maltese public with the list of Maltese priests defrocked by the Vatican because of sexual abuse of children. I also suggest that a press release is issued every time the Vatican defrocks a Maltese priest for the same reason.

If Maltese paedophile priests are not named, it means they have got ten away with it and that is completely wrong. It also means that they are free to harm more children, as nobody knows who they are and where they live. Parents need to be informed about priests who are a danger to our children.

As things stand, all documents relating to child abuse by Maltese priests are kept in the most secret archives of the Maltese Curia. In many serious countries, the bishop who gets to know that one of the priests under his authority has committed a crime (such as child abuse), has the legal obligation to report him to the civil justice system – otherwise he is condemned by law for failing in his civic duty. But not in Malta.

When is the Maltese Parliament going to pass a law to impose compulsory reporting to civil authorities by institutions, including the Church, of any person suspected of child abuse within the institution and to prosecute officials of organisations/institutions for covering up sexual abuse of children? Let us keep in mind that the law must first and foremost protect the most vulnerable members of society and that the sexual abuse of children is not only a sin (to be dealt with by the Church) but also a crime (to be punished by the state).

Louise Vella

MOSTA