Father Seguna Has Staunch Assist Amongst Maltese Folks

Most rushed to his defence, with one girl claiming that the entire case is a “frame-up”, with some even pointing their finger on the Archdiocese of Malta.

Nevertheless, as proof and allegations proceed to emerge in court docket and within the information, it will seem that parochial and Catholic loyalty might be enjoying a major issue.

Severe questions are definitely swirling round Seguna, who was recognized to reside an lively social life, whereas his buy of a number of bikes has additionally raised eyebrows.

Seguna is dealing with allegations of misappropriating round €500,000 by 150 parishioners over a decade, €148,000 of which was allegedly spent on pornographic web sites amid the priest’s “sexual disaster”. 

He has denied all prices and those that know him insist that the precise reality is but to come back out, describing him as a charitable one that helped his neighborhood and was dedicated to his pastoral work.

“Fr Luke is an impressive human being,” Pierre Baldacchino advised Lovin Malta. 

“[Seguna] managed to carry up the parish, and with out placing any sort of bitter style on the work executed by his predecessors, managed to unite the neighborhood, and produce individuals which have been absent from the church for a really very long time.” 

“He re-launched events which have been for lengthy stopped, particularly across the feast. Fr Luke additionally helped, very discreetly quite a few individuals, with recommendation and in addition monetary assist, in moments the place they struggled, particularly in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Baldacchino was not alone, with scores of individuals praising his work executed locally over time. 

“Though I don’t contemplate myself a devotee, his charisma and character drew me and my household nearer to the church,” Neal Debono stated. 

“Fr Luke as soon as advised us how he labored with the assets of Marsaxlokk and Nigret since he had no different assist. He has an ideal dedication to his pastoral work – and after we tried to go to considered one of his Easter Sunday plenty, we needed to go someplace else because it was full of individuals. What does that inform you?” councillor Sean Apap Meli, who was wed by Seguna, added.

And whereas most people who spoke to Lovin Malta needed to attend for extra court docket proceedings earlier than commenting on the case, they had been clear that the decision wouldn’t change their opinion of it. 

“No matter good he did is just not going to alter with these accusations. If somebody helps 300 individuals from hunger and assists them in occurring the fitting path, is just not hindered by such accusations. While I consider that such accusations will stick with him for his whole life, so will the nice deeds he did,” Baldacchino stated.

“I’ll let the establishments work, however I can always remember what man does in his life,” Debono added.

Seguna has claimed that he acquired the funds personally they usually weren’t meant for the church.

Many who spoke to Lovin Malta admitted they had been among the many donors, revealing that cheques had been recurrently written in Seguna’s title slightly than the church or archdiocese itself. 

“It simply appeared simpler to do. But it surely by no means bothered me, I all the time felt and nonetheless really feel that numerous the cash was used for good causes for the neighborhood,” one man advised Lovin Malta.

Others, significantly those that had been wed by Seguna, insisted that their donations had been expressly meant for the priest himself. 

“Fr Luke didn’t even ask for donations at our engagement or marriage. We solely gave him as we actually appreciated what he did for us. We determined to provide him one thing particularly for him, to make use of it as he needs both to assist others or for himself. We had no cause to doubt him.,” Sean Apap Meli stated.

In the meantime, Baldacchino, for instance, generally donated on to Seguna whereas when he needed to donate to the parish itself, he did so throughout collections or depositories in church.

What has raised some eyebrows is Seguna depositing roughly €200,000 throughout 10 totally different accounts at native banks.

Nevertheless, one individual stated that they might not perceive why Seguna would use official channels to commit cash laundering, insisting that high-profile instances involving murky offshore constructions have in any other case been ignored by authorities.

One account, known as ‘plenty’, had round €80,000 in it, with round €107,000 withdrawn over six years.

Seguna insisted that these had been private funds by way of donations. Out of the determine withdrawn, €52,000 had been money deposits, €9,000 had been spent at supermarkets and a few €7,000 had been spent on leisure. 

Nonetheless, lots of those that spoke to Lovin Malta insisted that Seguna would recurrently put the cash again into the parish.

Extra sensationally, sources have even advised that Seguna is a scapegoat in a conspiracy throughout the Curia to current monetary investigators as a sacrificial lamb whereas ignoring different obvious points. 

Seguna has been charged with misappropriating funds meant for the Archdiocese. And sources declare that Seguna was extra prioritised with guaranteeing that the donations got to the Marsaxlokk parish. 

There are allegations that Seguna would obtain a donation, maintain half for himself for use for the parish and ship the opposite half to the Curia. 

Nevertheless, many insisted that that is prevalent throughout Malta’s parishes, elevating main questions as to why Seguna was focused slightly than the church as a complete, significantly when the church and the archbishop have confronted controversy over an historic basis looking for to evict numerous residents. 

What’s clear is that the case is just not ending right here, and whereas we’re sure to listen to extra particulars within the weeks to come back, it seems that Seguna has loyal supporters on the market, who won’t go away him regardless of the claims towards him.

After all, Maltese parishioners are all the time going to defend a priest, significantly one who was performing good duties for the neighborhood.

Nevertheless, the blind defence does proceed to play into the “u iva mhux xorta” perspective that has plagued the nation.

Seguna definitely has numerous explaining to do.

What do you consider the case?