Church Must Take Further Steps to Address Allegations

Pacific Daily News
July 28, 2016

http://www.guampdn.com/story/opinion/editorials/2016/07/29/our-view-church-must-take-further-steps-address-allegations/87687820/

A protest was held for Archbishop Anthony Apuron to be defrocked and a call to action for his temporary replacement Archbishop Savio Hon Tai Fai by members and supporters of religious groups Concerned Catholics of Guam and the Laity Forward Movement at the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral Basilica in Hagatna on July 17.

The Archdiocese of Agana recently announced changes in addressing sexual abuse allegations. Now, church leaders must turn rhetoric into reality.

Archbishop Savio Hon Tai Fai, appointed by the Vatican to temporarily oversee the archdiocese, said on Wednesday, July 27 he recants and retracts statements made by Archbishop Anthony Apuron.

Three former altar boys and the mother of a deceased former altar boy accused Apuron of sexually assaulting the boys in the 1970s.

Apuron, who has not been charged with any crime, made statements that essentially called the accusers liars.

The accusers, through their attorney, filed a $2 million libel and slander lawsuit against Apuron, the archdiocese and others.

Days after being included in the lawsuit, Hon said, “The archdiocese should always assume and believe that the intent of those who make allegations of sexual abuse is to bring to light serious claims of abuse.”

The archdiocese, which should have taken the allegations seriously from the beginning, must do more than recant statements.

The Vatican must share information on the investigation with the accusers and the wider community. Where is Apuron? What is the status of the investigation?

The archdiocese must show that its promises are not hollow words. Hon must show that his offer to meet with the accusers is not an empty gesture.

As an institution claiming moral leadership, the church has an obligation to thoroughly investigate allegations of any kind of abuse. If the church finds allegations to be true, it must look at ways to hold perpetrators accountable, to help victims heal, and to prevent further abuse.

The church has done a lot of good for the people of Guam, from offering spiritual guidance to educating children. It has taught parishioners to serve and to love one another.

In facing today’s test of moral credibility, church leaders must practice what they preach.