Catholics Unite Despite Controversy
By Shawn Raymundo
Catholics throughout the island gathered at the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica to participate in the annual Santa Marian Kamalen procession around Hagatna. This year's march comes amid an allegation of sexual molestation brought against Archbishop Anthony Apuron by a Guamanian visiting from California. The archbishop's accuser, John Toves, said when he was a 16-year-old altar boy, Toves' relative and co-seminarian at a high school seminary on Guam was allegedly sexually abused by Apuron, who was a priest at the time. Apuron has called the allegation a "horrible calumny" but declined to further respond to the allegation on the advice of his attorney because he's planning a defamation lawsuit to defend the church. Devout Catholics, such as Barrigada resident Pam DeVera, didn't let the controversy stand in the way of yesterday's tradition. "I have no comment for that," DeVera said in reference to the sexual abuse accusation. "I can only speak for my own personal belief, and I am still a faithful Catholic." The annual walk is in conjunction with the Feast of the Immaculate Conception that hundreds of millions of Catholics around the world celebrate every Dec. 8. The procession is a Guam tradition to honor the island's patron saint. A statue of Santa Marian Kamalen, which rests on the cathedral's walls throughout the year, is placed on a decorated float that is wheeled by several church members during the walk. DeVera said that the story of Kamalen's statue arriving on Guam is "such a miraculous thing." It is unconfirmed how the statue ended up on Guam. DeVera said she grew up believing the statue floated in with crabs holding candles. She said the story is important to the island and many people's faith but added that the Dec. 8 celebration is also meant to bring all of Guam's villages together. "It's also about seeing all of us from all these different schools and parishes come together and celebrate our faith, not necessarily just Our Lady of Camarin," DeVera said. "I think she's the reason, but there are so many other surrounding things that bring us together and deepen our devotion." The 45-year-old mother of three kids said she has attended the procession every year since she was in elementary school and now goes with her husband and children. Around the start of the procession, rescue crews were called to the cathedral to treat several children who were dehydrated and experiencing heat exhaustion, said Capt. Alex Castro, northern commander with Guam Fire Department. Cathedral staff member Michaelene Arroyo said about 20 kids had come in to the church's medical office because they were dehydrated. She said it was because many of them weren't drinking water or didn't eat anything before sitting out in the sun waiting for the march to begin.
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