Judge to hear St Joseph Home sex abuse compensation claim behind closed doors

Mr Justice Lino Farrugia Sacco will hear a compensation claim by the victims of the St Joseph Home priests' sex abuse scandal behind closed doors.

Only the legal submissions can be reported in the media.

The religious order of the Missionary Society of St Paul is claiming that the compensation request by 10 victims of the clerical abuse, is time-barred and that it cannot assume responsibility for the actions of two ex-priests jailed for sexually abusing boys about 20 years ago.

Lawyer Ray Zammit, appearing for MSSP, told the court that the proceedings would turn into street chatter. "Private and sensitive information will come out from the evidence. There are a million reasons for people to twist or sensationalise evidence. The case might be used on social media to generate hatred towards particular institutions."

He also said that 14 children currently living at the St Joseph Institute in Santa Venera would again suffer the same psychological trauma they went through during the trial by jury.

Dr Franco Vassallo, on behalf of the victims, argued that it should be their clients to request in camera sittings, and not the alleged abusers. The lawyer said that he understood the reason for evidence to be heard behind closed doors, but the request for all the proceedings to be in camera was against the interest of justice.

Mr Justice Lino Farrugia Sacco decreed that in the interest of the children still living at the institute, the request would be partially upheld. But legal debates and submissions will still be reported in the media.

Defrocked priests Godwin Scerri, 77, and Charles Pulis, 68, were in 2011 sentenced to five and six years' imprisonment, respectively, for sexually abusing 11 boys in their care at St Joseph Home, in Santa Venera.

The order says it cannot accept liability for the personal actions of its members who were adults, adding it was not aware of what had been going on.

Judge Farrugia Sacco told off the convicted priests for not having a lawyer present with them in court. "This is a very serious and delicate case, which the court will treat with the utmost care. I understand you went through a hard time, but you have already been warned to get a lawyer."

The case was put off for 16 December for in camera hearing of evidence. Lawyers Dr Franco Vassallo and Dr Patrick Valentino are appearing for the victims. Dr Ray Zammit is representing MSSP, Dr Joe Brincat and Dr Dominic Cassar are appearing on behalf of the curial authorities and lawyer Victoria Buttigieg appeared for the Attorney General.