Priest found guilty for saying being gay is worse than being possessed

Judge Edwina Grima upheld the Attorney General’s appeal against the Court of Magistrates’ decision that the priest was not guilty of inciting hatred or violence.

A magistrate’s court had dismissed the case, concluding that Muscat had not intended to incite hatred or violence and was merely “expressing an opinion”.

Muscat was charged in January 2022 after having published Facebook posts about Abner Aquilina, who stands accused of the rape and murder of Polish student Paulina Dembska.

Aquilina, the priest wrote, might be gay, bisexual, or possessed by the devil, adding that being gay “is worse than being possessed”.

Following public outcry, Archbishop Charles Scicluna sent a formal warning to the priest, urging him to avoid making “inflammatory and offensive comments”.

David Muscat has now been handed a six-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.

Cover Image with friendly permission by Miguela Xuereb, Newsbook