The Gozo Diocese is analysing information to determine possible action after a priest was found to have brokered a €7,000 deal for a 14-year-old girl to withdraw a rape allegation.
In its first public reaction to the case, the diocese said it “understands that such cases raise legitimate questions among the public” and has begun reviewing the court judgment and seeking professional advice.
The case came to light after a judgment revealed that Gozitan priest Fr Michael Said acted as an intermediary in a 2008 agreement with a Nadur family.
The payment was made in exchange for dropping allegations that several men, including relatives of Nationalist MP Chris Said, had raped the girl.
The diocese said it is assessing “the possibility of further steps” but has not yet indicated what action may be taken.
In a separate statement, the diocesan safeguarding commission said it had never received any report related to the case. It added that it is monitoring developments and remains committed to ensuring safeguarding standards are upheld.
“The recent media report… was never reported to the Commission,” it said, insisting it has consistently referred cases to civil authorities since its establishment in 2022.
The case has also drawn attention to safeguarding procedures within the Church. While structures to handle abuse allegations date back to 1999, the Gozo diocese set up its own safeguarding commission in 2022, operating under policies shared with Maltese Church authorities and last updated in 2024.
Church guidelines state that any personnel aware of a minor at risk of harm must report the matter to police or child protection authorities.