The Safeguarding Commission within the Archdiocese of Malta found that allegations made in 10 of the 41 cases of alleged abuse against minors and vulnerable adults concluded in 2024 were substantiated.

These figures were published by the Safeguarding Commission's on Thursday morning. The 2024 report covers the Archdiocese of Malta and Maltese religious communities; it does not cover the Diocese of Gozo, which set up its own Safeguarding Commission in 2022.

Amongst the substantiated cases, i.e., those proven to have occurred, one case concerned poor professional practice against minors and the remaining nine cases pertained to abuse suffered by vulnerable adults.

The sole substantiated case involving minors saw a layperson commit "poor professional practice" and be given a partial restriction in pastoral activity. As per procedure vis-à-vis cases involving minors, this case was taken to the statutory authorities before the Safeguarding Commission began its risk assessment.

The nine cases pertaining to vulnerable adults revolved around sexual abuse, emotional abuse, spiritual abuse, abuse of power, and breach of boundaries. From these cases, three stemmed from complaints against a diocesan priest (for emotional abuse, breach of boundaries, and spiritual abuse), one involved a layperson breaching boundaries, and the remaining five substantiated claims were made against religious priests and nuns.

From the five cases brought against religious priests/nuns, one individual was recommended a restriction of pastoral activity, and the remaining four revolved around sexual abuse. An individual subject of complaint was responsible for three such cases of sexual abuse. The Safeguarding Commission recommended the suspension of both individuals for committing sexual abuse. A suspension is a "permanent recommendation to suspend personnel from all pastoral activity." 

Only one case concerning vulnerable adults was referred to civil authorities - it related to sexual abuse. However, the victim opted not to proceed with a police investigation. For the other substantiated cases meriting referral to civil authorities, victims declined submitting a police report on the matter, in spite of the Safeguarding Commission's offer to accompany them to the depot.

From the 41 total cases closed in 2024, 21 involved vulnerable adults and 20 concerned minors. 14 of these cases were referred during the same calendar year, while six were marked as historical cases, i.e., cases involving allegations that took place over 10 years ago.

From the rest of the concluded cases, five were unable to be verified and were thus deemed unsubstantiated; two were proven to definitely not have occurred, i.e., unfounded, and another five were investigated internally. Six cases, all of which pertaining to minors, required no further action (including one subject of complaint who was allegedly involved in two cases), it said. Five cases (four relating to minors and one to vulnerable adults) were marked as "not a safeguarding concern" and fell out of the Commission's remit, and two cases involving minors were referred to third parties. In another case, the alleged victim did not wish for the Commission to proceed further with their report. In two cases involving the same subject of complaint, the subject of complaint passed away during the investigation process. Another subject of complaint had already been investigated in previous years - he had three substantiated cases in the past.

In addition, another subject of complaint faced allegations concerning a minor and a vulnerable adult. In this case, the Safeguarding Commission observed that the subject of complaint, who was a religious person, "posed a risk," though could not yet substantiate the allegations. The priest/nun responsible was suspended from pastoral activities.

These 41 cases revolved around complaints about 35 individuals, as four persons were involved in more than one referral. From these 35 people, five were diocesan priests, 13 were religious priests/nuns, and 17 were laypersons.

Throughout 2024, the Safeguarding Commission received 33 total referrals - 19 of which involved alleged victims under the age of 18 (minors) and 14 involved alleged victims who are marked as vulnerable adults. Such referrals include concluded and presently ongoing cases.

From the 19 referrals relating to minors, one case featured the subject of complaint to be a diocesan priest, four referred to religious priests/nuns, and 14 revolved around laypersons. Meanwhile, three subjects of complaint for cases against vulnerable adults were diocesan priests, four were religious priests/nuns, and seven were laypersons. Five of the 33 referrals are allegedly historical cases.

The Safeguarding Commission is responsible for upholding safe environments within the Church in Malta through a safeguarding culture which prioritises minors and vulnerable persons. The Safeguarding Commission consists of three safeguarding teams respectively tasked with prevention and training, victim care and advocacy, and investigations and assessments.

Last year, the Safeguarding Commission concluded 26 such cases and confirmed the allegations of eight of them.

The Safeguarding Commission noted that in 2024, 105 applications were sent to the Courts of Malta to verify whether applicants for Church positions were listed in the Offenders' Register under the Protection of Minors (POMA). These applications covered 3,632 Church personnel.

The scope of the Safeguarding Commission is to enforce having a safer Church, to support alleged victims, and provide the necessary support for who is being investigated.

Concluding the presentation of its 2024 annual report, the Head of the Safeguarding Commission, Mark Pellicano, appealed for any and all persons who feel that they may have suffered some form of abuse by someone related to the Church to reach out and receive the necessary support. He said that reaching out is also important in preventing similar cases from arising in the future.

The Safeguarding Commission can be contacted by phone through the number (+356)22470950, via e-mail through its e-mail address [email protected], or through its website: www.safeguarding.mt.

Further details on this annual report can be found on the Safeguarding Commission's website.