The Archdiocese of Malta has been informed that the parish priest of Marsaxlokk is due to face charges related to misappropriation of funds and money laundering.
The priest has been placed on administrative leave with immediate effect while proceedings are underway.
The parish will be placed under the care of an administrator appointed by Archbishop Charles Scicluna.
The Archdiocese has offered its full cooperation to the authorities and will seek to establish whether long-standing policies related to donations have been followed by the parish priest.
Since proceedings are underway, the Archdiocese will not be commenting further on this case and appeals to the media to respect the presumption of innocence so that justice can take its full and proper course.