Former Vatican prosecutor deplores paying abuse victims for silence

November 10, 2014

The Vatican’s former chief prosecutor in sex-abuse cases has condemned the use of financial offers to silence the claims of abuse victims.

Bishop Charles Scicluna, now an auxiliary bishop of Malta, said that he deplored compensation schemes offered to alleged victims in return for the withdrawal of complaints. He was responding to queries from the Malta Independent about a case in which a woman reportedly accepted a large payment to drop a complaint against a Dominican priest.

The priest involved, Father Charles Fenech, was suspended from ministry after allegations of abuse were raised. Another Dominican priest allegedly contacted the woman’s lawyer to offer a payment for her silence. Both the lawyer and the priest deny that an offer was made or accepted.

 

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Further information:

• Bishop Charles Scicluna deplores monetary offers to abuse victims by members of the Church (Independent)