73-year-old accuses Guam clergy members of sexual abuse

By Jason Salas
KUAM
July 31, 2016

http://www.kuam.com/story/32583484/2016/07/31/73-year-old-accuses-guam-clergy-members-of-sexual-abuse

Another person has come forward, alleging members of Guam's Catholic clergy of sexual molestation. Born in 1943, Leo Tudela, originally from Saipan, openly wept before the community as he detailed a series of traumatic events involving clergy after he came to Guam to attend Catholic school in the summer of 1956. Tudela testified at a continued public hearing at the Guam Legislature over a substitute version of Bill 326, which seeks to lift the statute of limitations for cases involving child sex abuse. Last week, Archbishop Anthony Apuron's accusers testified at a similar public hearing for the bill.

While strongly urging passage of the legislation, Tudela shared his very personal and painful recollection of a series of events that happened to him when he was 13 years old. Now 73, he tearfully detailed how on three occasions, he was molested and forced to perform sexual acts upon himself.

Tudela began by describing how he came to Guam in the summer of 1956 to attend Catholic school, residing at the monastery in Agana Heights. One night, he recalled, he awoke to discover a man touching his penis, who Tudela said identified himself as "Brother Mariano". He also detailed that while later staying in the rectory, one night he felt someone massaging his penis, who he identified as "Father Luis".

Additionally, he said that while in the Boy Scouts, he was also told by a scout leader to remove his pants and masturbate.  Tudela explained that altar boys were required to join the Boy Scouts - if they refused to perform lascivious acts, they would be forced to work duties around the campgrounds.

Unable to tell his story without pausing to cry on several occasions, Tudela said, "He [Father Luis] was supposed to be a man of God. And this is what my grandparents taught me in Saipan." He added, "To this day, 60 years later, I still have nightmares...I still hate Father Luis and Brother Mariano for what they did to me."

"All I want is justice and due process of the law," said Tudela.

Attorney David Lujan, who represents all Archbishop Apuron's accusers, previously indicated that at least two more people would be coming forward with allegations against the leader of the island's Catholic faith. Attorney Lujan was present at today's public hearing. It's unclear at this point if Tudela's testimony was one of the people Lujan alluded to in June. Lujan has demanded information from the Archdiocese of Agana about an investigation, with Archbishop Savio Hon Tai Fai, the Vatican-installed apostolic administrator for Guam, saying all matters are taken seriously. A $2 million libel and slander lawsuit has been filed against Apruon and the archdiocese.

Upon completion of Tudela's emotional testimony, Senator Frank Aguon, Jr. concluded the public hearing.