Accused priest dies

http://www.ngnews.ca/News/Canada%20-%20World/Society/2011-01-13/article-2115622/Malta-priest-accused-of-sex-abuse-dies-after-church-announces-tribunal-court-case-continues/1
Malta priest accused of sex abuse dies after church announces tribunal, court case continues

Published on January 13th, 2011
Published on January 13th, 2011
Topics : Malta , VALLETTA , Vatican VALLETTA, Malta - A Roman Catholic priest on trial for allegedly molesting children in his care has died just days after Maltese church officials announced a special church tribunal would consider canonical penalties against him as well.

Brother Joe Bonet had suffered from bone cancer. The 63-year-old Bonet died at a home for elderly priests, according to the Times of Malta.

He was one of three clerics on trial for seven years, accused of molesting children who lived at the St. Joseph's Home decades ago.

Victims had long complained that Maltese courts and the Vatican's own justice system had moved to slowly to hear their claims, and Bonet's death is likely to fuel their complaints. The victims were received by Pope Benedict XVI during his visit to Malta in April.