Gozo Bishop Mario Grech this morning appealed for a cordial settlement in the case of a priest based in Guatemala who had claimed to be slandered by a former volunteer.

Grech testified this morning against Luigi (Wigi) Duca, who has been charged with fabricating evidence for a crime which never took place, fabricating a police report, knowingly reporting Fr Grech for a crime which did not take place, defamation and slander.

The court heard how Duca, a relatively wealthy man, pushed for the building of a village in Guatemala to help surrounding people in need.

Grech, on his part, requested that a committee be appointed to properly manage and administer the funds collected. The court then heard how Duca had proceeded to collect funds in Malta without Grech’s knowledge.

In a previous court hearing, Grech told presiding magistrate Joe Mifsud that he was not aware of how much was collected and that the funds were never passed on to his mission.

In today’s hearing, Bishop of Gozo Mario Grech told the court that he was approached by Duca about Fr Anton Grech, the priest based in Guatemala.

Grech proceeded to shed light on the conversation, where he alleged that Duca came to him accompanied by Fr Joe Inguanez to complain about his relationship with Dun Anton.

He made several allegations about Dun Anton prompting Grech to request a written statement due to the severity of the accusations. The accusations related to misuse of funds, which Grech found to be untrue after speaking with Fr Anton Grech. The Bishop of Izibar, Fr Grech’s diocese, had also written a praiseworthy assessment of Fr. Grech, he said.

He explained to the court that he had never received any negative commentary or had concerns relayed to him about Fr Anton Grech upon carrying out an investigation.

“I tried to call Duca as he had left me his phone number, but for some reason we never communicated. I eventually wrote him a letter,” Grech told the court.

Lawyer Kathleen Grima, representing Fr Anton Grech, asked Duca how he communicated the allegations, to which he said that an appointment had been arranged.

The Bishop made an appeal for all parties to the case to reach an amicable settlement, which the court agreed to.

The brother of Fr Anton Grech, Stefan Grech, testified to explain that the funds gathered were to be sent to Guatemala through a bank transfer facilitated by their father. Stefan Grech continued to say that Duca had never complained and was shocked to hear about the allegations made later.

At the end of the session, Magistrate Joe Mifsud called for an amicable solution, chiding both parties for spoiling the good work carried out.

Lawyer Franco Debono is representing the accused.