Apuron accusers demand answers

By Steve Limtiaco
Pacific Daily News
July 24, 2016

http://www.guampdn.com/story/news/2016/07/24/apuron-accusers-demand-answers/87497972/

Bruce Williams protests with a sign that displays an illustration of Archbishop Savio Hon Tai Fai at the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral Basilica in Hagåtña on July 17. Photo by Frank San Nicolas

Archbishop Savio Hon Tai Fai has refused to meet with the former altar boys who have accused Guam Archbishop Anthony Apuron of rape and molestation, according to attorney David Lujan, who outlined several concerns in a letter this month to the attorney for the Archdiocese of Agana.

Since May, three former Agat altar boys and the mother of an altar boy have accused Apuron of sexual assault in the late 1970s, when he was parish priest in Agat. They accused Apuron publicly, at several tearful press conferences near church property and in an interview with the Pacific Daily News.

The accusers include Roy T. Quintanilla, Walter Denton, Roland Sondia and Doris Concepcion — the mother of deceased former altar boy Joseph Anthony Quinata.

Apuron, whose duties on Guam are temporarily in the hands of Hon, pending a church investigation, has not been seen in Guam since Hon was appointed and he has not issued any public statements. Apuron and the archdiocese have denied some of the allegations and have not specifically addressed others.

Apuron has not been charged with any crime.

“Where are you hiding Apuron?” Lujan stated in his July 14 letter to the church.

“He (Hon) continues to refuse to meet with them, to embrace them, to offer prayers for them, or simply to acknowledge their pain,” Lujan wrote. “Instead, he preaches neutrality for the molested and molester as if they are equals.”

Lujan also asked for a copy of the policies and procedures the archdiocese is using in its investigation of Apuron.

Church law states only the Vatican can investigate an archbishop, but it is unclear whether an investigation has started.

Lujan, who is providing legal counsel to the accusers, also asked archdiocese attorney John Terlaje for a copy of the policies and procedures being used for the investigation of Apuron. “It would enhance your client’s credibility, and his agents, if he would provide me with a copy so I can follow along with the claim that it is being followed,” Lujan wrote.

In a July 8 letter to Lujan, Terlaje wrote, “Archbishop Hon and the Archdiocese remain welcoming and open to any and all people with any concerns regarding the conduct of all the Roman Catholic clergy on the island. All individuals will be treated with the due respect and understanding.”

Terlaje said all allegations in documents received by the archdiocese have been forwarded to Pope Francis.

Terlaje also noted Hon’s appointment of the Rev. Patrick Castro as the contact person for anyone with allegations against the clergy, including the archbishop. Castro is in a position to hear allegations and to provide assistance, including spiritual guidance and counseling,” Terlaje stated.

But Lujan said that is not a good solution for Apuron’s accusers.

“Hon’s policy is akin to asking the victims to come to the molester’s house, hat in hand, to be advised by the molester’s family,” Lujan wrote. He added that the policy is designed to have the church brainwash the victims into believing it was their fault, and that the matter should be dealt with in-house.

Lujan asked if Hon had “confessed his sins” to Castro and obtained the guidance and counseling Hon has offered the victims.