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International Business Times
28-05-2025
- International Business Times
Malta Priest Jailed Over Sexual Relationship with Sacristan's 15-Year-Old Niece Who Reported Him When He Tried to End Relationship
A parish priest who defiled a 15-year-old girl who happened to be the sacristan's niece will serve 20 months of jail time, a court of appeal has ruled. The court reduced the original 42-month prison term that the priest was sentenced to when he was found guilty of the crime. The names of the priest and the victim have been withheld along with the details of the location where the events took place. The priest was originally sentenced in March of this year, with the court also permanently banning him from working with minors and listing his name on a register of sex offenders. The priest appealed the decision and that appeal was heard and reviewed by Judge Neville Camilleri. Priest and the Victim Had a Sexual Relationship for 4 Years, She Reported Him When He Tried to End the Relationship As reported by the Times of Malta, the events date back to June 2017, when the girl, 15 at the time, would visit the priest due to family separation issues. She happened to be the niece of the parish's sacristan. A court heard that the two began a relationship when the minor kissed the priest on the lips, and he reciprocated. The two went on to have a sexual relationship that lasted for around four years until 2020, when the girl reported him. The court heard that the priest tried to end the relationship, but the minor began to threaten him when he raised that prospect. She then ended up reporting him to the police. Priest Admitted to Engagining in Sexual Acts with the Minor The priest admitted that he and the girl had engaged in sexual activities, though not intercourse, on her birthday at her house. In his sentence, Camilleri noted how the relationship was consensual and the priest tried to end the relationship, yet he could not ignore the fact that the priest betrayed society's faith in the priesthood and the Catholic church. Camilleri found him guilty of defiling the girl, and his punishment was reduced to a 20-month prison sentence. Archdiocese Releases Statement In a statement, the Archdiocese of Malta noted with "profound sadness and regret" that the priest was found guilty on appeal of breaching sexual boundaries with a 15-year-old girl. "The Archdiocese apologises unreservedly to the victim for the actions of one of its clergymen, and wishes to make clear that it had already referred this case to the Holy See," the statement read. The Archdiocese thanked the Safeguarding Commission for its handling of the case, which served to highlight the crucial importance of safeguarding structures that empower individuals to speak up when they feel unsafe. "The Commission supported the victim in coming forward and reporting the abuse to the Police and this case is a clear reminder that safeguarding mechanisms can be effective. The Church's Safeguarding Commission encourages anyone who feels unsafe or who witnesses inappropriate behaviour, especially within environments where there is an imbalance of power, to speak up." The statement ended by noting how support will be provided to the victim, and the Archdiocese will also be offering counselling and emotional support services to the priest.
See - Sada Elbalad
25-05-2025
- Politics
- See - Sada Elbalad
Malta to Recognize State of Palestine in June
Israa Farhan Malta is set to officially recognize the State of Palestine during an international conference in June, according to Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela. The announcement was made on Sunday during a political event in the city of Mosta, and has been widely reported by local media, including the Times of Malta. The upcoming recognition will take place during a French-Saudi-led summit focused on advancing the two-state solution, scheduled to be held at the United Nations headquarters in New York. Abela stated that his government will be the one to take this significant step after 45 years of discussion on the matter, affirming Malta's commitment to justice and human rights. He emphasized that Malta can no longer ignore the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Although Malta already hosts a Palestinian ambassador and previously voted in favor of granting Palestine full United Nations membership at the Security Council in April 2023, it has yet to officially recognize Palestinian statehood. read more Gold prices rise, 21 Karat at EGP 3685 NATO's Role in Israeli-Palestinian Conflict US Expresses 'Strong Opposition' to New Turkish Military Operation in Syria Shoukry Meets Director-General of FAO Lavrov: confrontation bet. nuclear powers must be avoided News Iran Summons French Ambassador over Foreign Minister Remarks News Aboul Gheit Condemns Israeli Escalation in West Bank News Greek PM: Athens Plays Key Role in Improving Energy Security in Region News One Person Injured in Explosion at Ukrainian Embassy in Madrid News Egypt confirms denial of airspace access to US B-52 bombers News Ayat Khaddoura's Final Video Captures Bombardment of Beit Lahia News Australia Fines Telegram $600,000 Over Terrorism, Child Abuse Content Arts & Culture Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban's $4.7M LA Home Burglarized Sports Former Al Zamalek Player Ibrahim Shika Passes away after Long Battle with Cancer Sports Neymar Announced for Brazil's Preliminary List for 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers News Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly Inaugurates Two Indian Companies Arts & Culture New Archaeological Discovery from 26th Dynasty Uncovered in Karnak Temple Business Fear & Greed Index Plummets to Lowest Level Ever Recorded amid Global Trade War Arts & Culture Zahi Hawass: Claims of Columns Beneath the Pyramid of Khafre Are Lies
