Archbishop Charles Scicluna celebrated mass in the Parish Church of Marsaxlokk on Saturday evening, as the locality’s religious community reeled from the suspension of its parish priest Fr Luke Seguna.

Luke Seguna 39, is facing charges on money laundering in court after earlier this month it was revealed how he had allegedly spent around €500,000 of parishioners’ donations given over a 10-year span.

He has pleaded not guilty to charges regarding money laundering and misappropriation of funds.

On the day court proceedings were initiated Seguna was put on administrative leave by the Church.

The Archdiocese is cooperating fully with authorities and the Curia’s media house Newsbook said that an investigation was underway to establish whether the parish priest followed traditional policies on donations, which have been in place for more than 20 years.

During the Homily in Marsaxlokk, the Archbishop reflected on the Sunday Gospel from Saint Luke where Jesus, on his journey to Jerusalem, talks about the narrow gate through which he calls us to pass.

Scicluna said that the Lord passes his disciples through the door because he loves them and wants them near, a gate which “everyone” has to pass through at the end of their life.

This morning, the Archbishop celebrated mass from the parish church of Manikata, where he presented Rev. Peter Paul Sultana as its new administrator.