Priests seek criminal action against author

Two priests, Fr Karm Grech of Victoria, and Fr George Aquilina of Valletta, have written to the police to start criminal action against Anton F. Attard of Victoria.

Attard is the author of the book L-Arci-Matrici li qatt ma kienet, a critical analysis of Fr Grech's book Il-Knisja Arci-Matrici tal-Belt u l-Gzira ta Ghawdex.

Fr Grech and Fr Aquilina stated that Attard, with the object of damaging their reputation, offended and defamed them, and exposed them to public ridicule in breach of the Criminal Code and the Press Act.

The priests also stated that Attard's book was to offer constructive criticism in reply to another book published in 1996. Instead, his book contains a series of personal attacks, direct and indirect, against the two priests aimed to damage their reputation.

They are also appealing to the Court to order Attard to publish the judgment as provided for in the Press Act.

Meanwhile, Fr Grech and Fr Aquilina have filed an official letter requesting Attard to pay damages, following his publication. In breach of this, they have informed Attard that they will take legal action against him.