Għajnsielem Nuns Accused Of Child Abuse Don’t Show Up To Court Sitting
Two Dominican Sisters accused of child abuse at Għajnsielem Lourdes orphanage did not show to their court hearing due to medical issues.
Sr Josephine Anne Sultana and Sr Dorothy Mizzi told the court through their lawyers that they could not testify due to medical appointments.
Lara Dimitrijevic, who is representing the victims, requested for them to testify online during the next appointed sitting on 27th January.
The victims who filed this case, Carmen Muscat and Rosanne Saliba claim that the state failed to protect them whilst orphaned and are seeking compensation for their trauma.
The two women were orphans at the Għajnsielem home during the late 70s and early 80s and recount that the nuns sexually abused, regularly beat and locked them up for days.
Muscat, who is now in her 50s, told the court that “Sister Josephine,” took her to a private part of the building to see a priest and “They would force me to touch myself,” she testified. She also recalled a priest exposing himself to her during confession.
Saliba recounts the same and testified that the nun would “lose herself” in anger, grabbing the children by their hair and beating them “as hard as she could.”
In January of this year, Mother Superior Carmelita Borg who ran the orphanage during that time and was linked to the allegations (with victims saying she would turn a blind eye to the abuse) passed away.
Abuse at the Lourdes Orphanage in Għajnsielem allegedly stretched on for decades.
In 2006, multiple survivors revealed abuse on the TV show Bondi+. A 2008 Church commission confirmed misconduct involving minors, prompting Gozo Bishop Mario Grech to apologize and implement recommendations. Police could not prosecute anyone due to the case being time-barred.
In 2011, police initiated an investigation into Lourdes Home and two nuns, Sister Josephine Anne Sultana and Sister Dorothy Mizzi, following an abuse allegation made by a boy concerning events that occurred five years earlier.
What do you make of this case?
READ NEXT: 'Bullies And Cowboys': Isabelle Bonnici Calls Out Counter-Protest Banner Hiding Jean Paul Sofia's Face
