If we are to believe in law and justice, then the truth should always prevail, and those who break the law, whoever they may be, should be brought to court and tried for their crimes, and if found guilty be punished accordingly.

The Pope’s visit to Malta did nothing to ensure that justice takes its course, apologies and pleas for forgiveness are no substitute for justice. Those paedophile priests who sexually abused children entrusted to them should be punished like any other ordinary offender. One might well mention that in some American states paedophiles who have been convicted of abusing children, besides being imprisoned, have to wear a tag identifying them as child abusers when released from jail. Besides, if they are convicted a second time, besides being jailed, these offenders are given an injection which renders them impotent for life. This is what one may call real justice. In civilised secular states no one should be above the law. Immunity is a barrier against justice; no one who errs should go free.

Emm Spagnol

Zejtun