Fr Conrad Sciberras, a member of the Missionary Society of St Paul (MSSP) this morning filed a judicial protest against Lawrence Grech complaining about sexual abuse allegations which Mr Grech was making about him.

Fr Sciberras said Mr Grech was speaking as if these allegations were a fact, even though he had never been subjected to any criminal proceedings and none were pending. 

Fr Sciberras said that on the insistence of Mr Grech and other parties within the hierarchy of the church, he had appeared before the Church's Response Team, which was the equivalent of a compilation of evidence.  He was also been subjected to a Church administrative process which was similar to a trial, and a decree had been issued. Since this decree was awaiting confirmation by the Vatican, the outcome could not be revealed.

However, Fr Sciberras said, Mr Grech's allegations (about abuse at St Joseph's Home) were causing undue pressure on him and prejudicing the case at a time when the decree still had to be confirmed.

Fr Sciberras noted that he had taken no action when Mr Grech 'blatantly lied' that he had escaped from Malta - a short time before the Pope's visit to Malta - even though he knew this was not true. 

He had also not acted when Mr Grech in testimony under oath changed his version several times.

But his current actions had surpassed all limits. Such allegations were serious, dangerous and persistent, leaving him no option but to take action at law, Fr Sciberras said.