Absolution for an 'honest parent'

The Church Response Team in 2003 had investigated Fr Carmelo Pulis on sexual abuse allegations made by a care worker who caught him in a compromising situation with a 15-year-old boy.
In what appears to be a very quick decision, the Response Team acquitted Fr Pulis and told him to "continue taking care of the children like an honest parent".
If this isn't gross misjudgment by the Response Team headed by retired Judge Victor Caruana Colombo, I do not know what is.
Only weeks after the Reponse Team absolved Fr Pulis in 2003 the 'honest parent' was investigated by the police and charged in court on a number of sexual abuse cases, including the one involving the 15-year-old boy.
The 'honest parent' has now been found guilty by Magistrate Saviour Demicoli and sentenced to six years in jail. Commenting on the particular incident involving the 15-year-old boy, Magistrate Demicoli said Fr Pulis's behaviour was highly disgusting and contradictory.
The Response Team's time is up. It has proved to be inefficient (it took seven whole years to reach its conclusions after it opened a second investigation in 2003 on allegations of sexual abuse), ineffectual and far from reassuring as to the thoroughness of investigations conducted.
Sexual abuse allegations regarding priests should be referred to the competent civilian authorities for investigation and prosecution like any normal citizen. Unless the Church believes it is above the law.