Steve Mallia’s Shadow Over Scicluna’s Curia Grows as the “White Tower” Scandal Deepens

Veteran journalist Ivan Camilleri has published another stinging article on Archbishop Charles Scicluna and his close relationship with Steve Mallia. This relationship has now become a toxic liability within the local Archbishop’s Curia. The article centres on a countryside villa, complete with a pool, reportedly being built for the Archbishop in ODZ land, a project which members of the Curia are already comparing to the infamous Roman apartment associated with certain cardinals, notorious for its indoor pool and the scandalous symbolism that surrounded it. Camilleri’s report focuses not only on the relationship between Scicluna and Mallia but also on how this villa has become a symbol of luxury and excess, allegedly costing the Curia millions of euros to refurbish. At the same time, many priests struggle financially and pastorally to survive.

The article also triggered a sharp reaction from Paul Bonello, who reminded readers that he had already raised this issue months ago. Referring to the property as t-Torri l-Abjad (“the White Tower”), he wrote: “Here is the White Tower I spoke to you about a few months ago. There is no need for me to elaborate further.” Bonello then addressed Archbishop Scicluna directly: “Monsignor Archbishop, are we truly one Church or are we not? Would it not be better to do the inevitable, rather than continue taking advantage of the fact that many faithful who criticise you are immediately branded anti-clerical, making you appear untouchable?” Bonello’s comment is important because it indirectly recalls the attacks that Scicluna had previously levelled against this blog and against Simon Mercieca for being a critical voice. There is now little doubt that, under Steve Mallia’s influence, the Curia and its Archbishop chose to attack Catholics who denounced what they saw as moral corruption — a corruption now being exposed even by Shift News.k