Clock ticking for Guam's Catholic church to respond to libel and slander lawsuit

By Krystal Paco
KUAM
July 26, 2016

http://www.kuam.com/story/32530787/2016/07/26/clock-ticking-for-guams-catholic-church-to-respond-to-libel-and-slander-lawsuit

There are new developments to report in the alleged child sex abuse scandal that's has rocked the local Catholic Church.  Archbishop Anthony Apuron and the Archdiocese of Agana have been served. Four people have come forward accusing Apuron of sexual molestation, which he has denied.

Because the statute of limitations has run out to pursue criminal charges, the accusers filed the libel and slander lawsuit in hopes of forcing him to appear before a judge.

Signed, sealed, and hand delivered - the Archdiocese of Agana and Archbishop Apuron are now both in receipt of the libel and slander lawsuit against them. According to a declaration of service that was filed at the Superior Court of Guam, apostolic administrator Archbishop Savio Hon Tai Fai received the legal papers on Friday, but didn't want to take them. According to Christopher Allen, a special process server for the courts, "Mr. Savio Fai refused to sign receipt of documents and tried to give the documents back to me. I promptly left the area, leaving the documents in Mr. Fai's hand. Nothing further."

On Monday, the same court official served Apuron via Alina Fantanote, who is of "suitable age and discretion and who resides with the defendant."

While the initial libel and slander suit was filed on July 1, plaintiffs filed an amended complaint last week. The new complaint adds paragraphs alleging it was Father Edivaldo Oliveira, who prepared and released video and press release statements on behalf of the archdiocese and Apuron. Those statements vehemently denied all allegations of molestation made against Apuron and called accusers out for a malicious smear campaign to oust the archbishop and destroy the Catholic Church.

The amended complaint also states Archbishop Hon has yet to retract such statements, therefore "all statements issued by the Agana Archdiocese prior to Archbishop Hon's appointment are equally attributable to Archbishop Hon as to his predecessors."

Roy Quintanilla, Walter Denton, Roland Sondia, and the late Joseph "Sonny" Quinata were all altar boys at Mount Carmel Parish in Agat when they were allegedly molested or raped by Apuron, who was a priest at the time. Quintanilla, Denton, and Sondia all held press events to publicly accuse Apuron while Doris Concepcion speaks on behalf of her deceased son, who allegedly accused Apuron on his deathbed.

The plaintiffs are all represented by Attorney David Lujan. The suit also seeks a requested relief of $500,000 per plaintiff should the jury rule in their favor.

Last month the Vatican appointed Archbishop Hon as Guam's apostolic administrator while Apuron was placed on leave. Both the Archdiocese of Agana and Apuron have 20 days from the day they were served the legal papers to answer.

According to archdiocese spokesperson monsignor Bibi Arroyo, the church is represented by Attorney John Terlaje, but Terlaje has yet to respond for comment.

On Wednesday, Archbishop Hon is scheduled to hold a press conference at the Hagatna Cathedral at 10am.