The Lisa Maria Foundation has condemned a statement by Gozo Bishop Anton Teuma confirming that while priest Michael Said influenced a victim's family to accept hush money instead of reporting alleged child abuse, no canonical action will be taken against him.

The development follows initial media reports and a March 2026 press release from the foundation detailing the priest's alleged breach of trust, raising urgent concerns over institutional accountability and the handling of child abuse within the diocese.

"We are further shocked to hear that the Bishop of Gozo, Anton Teuma, released a video in which he confirmed that the priest did in fact influence the family to accept the money rather than report this alleged child abuse, yet he also confirmed that no canonical action will be taken against Fr Said. The Bishop minimised the involvement of the priest by emphasising that he had no part in the abuse and that, although he did influence the family, he was not found guilty of anything," thefoundation's statement said Saturday.

"The Lisa Maria Foundation would like to strongly emphasise that even if his actions were not found to be illegal, that does not minimise how unethical they were, nor how insensitive this statement is. To say that this priest always worked with integrity, when there appears to be no question or denial of his influence in preventing the alleged sexual abuse of a child from being brought to the attention of the authorities, is deeply insulting to victims and survivors of abuse, and to their families," the statement added.

The statement and the decision announced by Bishop Teuma not to take canonical action suggest a troubling lack of safeguarding understanding, particularly of the impact that abuse, delayed reporting, and institutional responses can have on victims, survivors and their families, the foundation said. Beyond the court's decision and the investigations that have led to the decision that no canonical action will be taken, and "we are still left with a person who was in a position of trust and whose choices may have helped delay the process for the alleged victim to seek protection, support and justice".

The Bishop recounted how today the priest would not make the same decision, and whilst this is a relief of sorts, it does not take away the decision that was made at that time, the statement said. "So we ask, what consequence does such a decision carry? Safeguarding is not only about whether someone committed abuse or whether conduct crossed a legal threshold. It is also about the ethical responsibility of those in positions of trust when allegations of child abuse arise. Any act that influences, discourages, delays, or diverts reporting can have serious consequences".

These are not minor matters. They go to the heart of public confidence in safeguarding systems and in the willingness of institutions to act with transparency and accountability. The Lisa Maria Foundation said it continues to stress it's views on how lenient we are as a society in the face of such horrific and life changing abuse of children.

Whether abuse is committed, covered up, excused, ignored, or diverted from proper reporting, these are all contributing to the prevalence of child abuse. Safeguarding is everyone's responsibility, and anyone in a position of trust or power must treat that position as a privilege that can never be used to excuse, minimise, or delay action when allegations of child abuse arise, the statement concluded.