Amid allegations that Archbishop Anthony Apuron molested children, the Archdiocese of Agana has created a special task force for the protection of minors. The group will help in strengthening the local catholic church's sexual abuse policy, which has been referred to as flaw.

It's the latest announcement out of the archdiocese as it works to restore unity and peace.

During a conference held this past weekend by the archdiocese, recently-appointed sexual abuse response coordinator Deacon Len Stohr announced the creation of a new task force for the protection of minors. "We were looking at the current policy," he summarized. "We were looking at a way to reach out to make it a broader guidance, and what was missing was the lay involvement."

The task force is comprised of retired deputy attorney general and Guam's first-ever public guardian Attorney John Weisenberger, former Archdiocesan Review Board member Vince Pereda (a clinical social worker and licensed therapist who's been practicing for over 30 years), retired police officers Ray and Josephine Fernandez (who combined have over 60 years of experience in law enforcement). Serving as chairperson of the task force is Sarah Thomas Nededog, who is a longtime social worker of 40 years.

 "When the archbishop (Hon)  spoke with us, I want you to know that we walked away from that interaction feeling very inspired and very supported in this work that we're going to do. There is a very strong recognition that the archbishop and the archdiocese want to make a very big push toward the protection of our children the most vulnerable people in our community," said Nededog.

In July Archbishop Savio Hon Tai announced the church's sex abuse policy was being revised. The policy had been highly-criticized for protecting clergy - in particular, Archbishop Apuron, who has been accused by multiple men of sexual molestation when they were altar boys at Mount Carmel Church where Apuron was serving as a priest at the time.

According to Nededog, the goal is to have a revised policy before the end of the year. Once it's finalized the task force will then present it at schools and parishes across the island. "Please reach out, keep your eyes, hearts and minds open and be consoled and encouraged that good things are going to happen and are already happening," she stated. "We will rebuild the credibility and bring back the love and support of our people to our church and to our lord, Jesus Christ."

Deacon Stohr stressed that it important that every child on this island is kept safe. He added that Archbishop Hon takes every single instance of sexual abuse past and present not only very seriously, but very personally. The church has established a hotline for anyone who would like to report a case of sexual abuse the number is 727-7373 or you can email deaconlen1@gmail.com.