Archbishop Charles Scicluna today took the witness stand to face cross-examination in the civil proceedings for damages instituted by 10 victims of clerical sex abuse.

His testimony was closed to the media.

The civil suit was filed in May 2013 by Lawrence Grech, Joseph Magro, Leonard Camilleri, David Cassar, Noel Dimech, Angelo Spiteri, Raymond Azzopardi, Charles Falzon, Philip Cauchi and Joseph Mangion.

Two priests, Carmelo Pulis and Godwin Scerri, were jailed in 2012 after the appeals court confirmed their conviction. They were found guilty of sex abuse on 11 underage victims entrusted to their care.

However, since all efforts to obtain monetary compensation for their suffering had failed, the victims were forced to open a civil suit against the Church.

In March, the court ordered the recusal of Judge Joseph R. Micallef after his impartiality was thrown into doubt owing to his close ties with church organisations in his role as president of Radio Maria.

Proceedings today continued before the First Hall, Civil Court, presided over by Mr Justice Mark Chetcuti.

Lawyers Franco Vassallo and Patrick Valentino are counsel to the applicants.