Libel & Slander Lawsuit Filed against Archbishop and Archdiocese

By Krystal Paco
KUAM
July 1, 2016

http://www.kuam.com/story/32351677/2016/06/30/libel-slander-lawsuit-filed-against-archbishop-and-archdiocese

[with video]

[includes copy of the lawsuit]

Walter Denton led a press conference at the Law Library in Hagatna this afternoon and announced that he, Roy Quintanilla, Roland Sondia, and Doris Concepcion have filed a libel and slander lawsuit against Anthony Sablan Apuron, the Archdiocese of Agana and DOE’s 1-50. The case was filed in the Superior Court of Guam. They are being represented by attorney David Lujan.

Walter Denton said they filed the lawsuit because they want the truth to come out to the public and to defend their honor and integrity. Denton said he wants Anthony Apuron and the Archdiocese of Agana and all those involved to take responsibility for their actions.

Denton added since the Archbishop and the Archdiocese have called every single survivor liars and instead of helping them they have avoided them and shunned them just as they did 40 years ago. He adds Archbishop Savio Hon Tai Fai has not attempted to meet with the victims. They have not reached out to them.

Denton says the Archdiocese rescinded their decrees, but they have not rescinded the press releases sent by the Archdiocese regarding the allegations of sexual abuse. The Archbishop has defended his innocence claiming he is the victim of a malicious smear campaign to oust him. In a May 31st press release from the Archdiocese it stated “Those who are orchestrating this campaign are inciting people into hatred of the Archbishop and the Catholic Church. They have produced, scandal, confusion and grave errors with the cruel intent to injure the Archbishop, the Catholic Church in Guam and many other people of good will who have been outraged and harassed. Therefore, the Archdiocese of Agana is in the process of taking canonical and legal measures against those perpetrating these malicious lies”.

A total of five people have come forward accusing Archbishop Anthony Apuron of sexual molestation. (1-John Toves alleged his cousin was sexually abuse, 2-Roy Quintanilla alleges he was molested 3-Doris Concepcion alleges her son was molested, 4-Walter Denton alleged he was raped, 5-Roland Sondia alleged he was molested). Archbishop Apuron has denied any allegations of sexual abuse.

Meanwhile, earlier this week Archbishop Savio Hon Tai Fai, S.D.B., Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Agana, invited clergy, consecrated religious, and lay faithful of the diocese to participate in a Prayer Meeting for UNITY scheduled for this Saturday July 2, 2016 at 7:30 p.m. at the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica in Hagatna.