BishopAccountability.org
	Group Calling for Action against Abusive Priests By Mindy Aguon KUAM February 10, 2010 http://www.kuam.com/Global/story.asp?S=11961606 GUAM -- Guam - A non-profit organization that has chapters in just about every state in the U.S., Canada and even Mexico has taken an interest in Guam. The Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP), is calling on full disclosure by the Catholic Church on Guam after receiving calls of sexual abuse by clergy on the island. The organization is calling on Archbishop Anthony Apuron to fully disclose the names of accused child molesting clerics who are working or have ever worked or lived on the island. The organization has received phone calls from survivors who sought help after claiming they were sexually abused by clergy on Guam. SNAP Southwest Regional Director Joelle Casteix told KUAM News, "People were afraid to actually come forward and be public about their abuse so they contacted me and said what can you do to help...what we're trying to do is for someone out there to come forward publicly and then we can start a group going. It may take a while. I plan to come out to Guam in the next six to eight weeks." Casteix said she received calls from two individuals who she said were "survivors of sexual abuse by clergy" and the two knew of at least 10 other individuals who were victims, as well. In a letter to the archbishop, the organization calls on Apuron to "take effective steps to stop sexual abuse, expose predators, and help survivors begin a path of healing". Casteix said, "We believe the time has come for Guam to do the same things that other diocese in the United States have done. And that would include listing the names of all accused perpetrators. A lot of times they'll say the abuse wasn't substantiated, well sometimes if someone is credibly accused, you need to post their name. "We need to know where they are. We need to know if they're working with kids, we need to have their photographs up there and we need to know what capacity they're still serving." KUAM News attempted to get comment from the archbishop, but our calls were not returned. In previous interviews though, Archbishop Apuron said the Catholic Church on Guam has not received any complaints of sexual abuse by clergy on the island. He also said the archdiocese takes seriously its responsibility to ensure a safe environment for all minors who are in the care of archdiocesan personnel and sexual abuse will not be tolerated. Casteix said of the matter, "Most survivors suffer in shame and silence and they think they are the only ones. And when the archbishop comes forward and says 'I've received no complaints', we know that's not true." He is making arrangements to come to the island in the next two or three months to meet with survivors and any others who, like her and others in the organization, have been victims of sexual abuse by clergy members. She stresses that the first step for the archdiocese is transparency. "If he's really going to put his money where his mouth is and says he cares about kids and their safety, then he needs to post those names," she said. Those who have been victims of sexual abuse and are looking for help can contact SNAP by logging onto their website at SNAPNetwork.org, or you can call their toll-free number at 1-877-SNAPHEALS. Casteix says those who suspect or know of minors currently being sexually abused should contact authorities immediately.
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