Statement by Archdiocese of Agana on New Allegations of Abuse

Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Agana
November 18, 2016

http://www.aganaarch.org/10086/statement-by-archdiocese-of-agana-on-new-allegations-of-abuse/

The Archdiocese of Agana extends prayers to all victims of sexual abuse by Guam clergy during these difficult times.

With Father Louis Brouillard, a priest who served on Guam beginning in the 1950s having confessed last October to abusing altar boys on Guam decades ago, we convey our deepest apologies to Mr. Vicente Perez and Mr. Bruce Diaz for the pain they have suffered. No words can truly ease the suffering victims of abuse have experienced.

We convey our prayers again for the late Joseph “Sonny” Quinata and for his family who came forward in the past with allegations of abuse against Archbishop Anthony Apuron while he was still a priest.

The Archdiocese of Agana takes the matter of sexual abuse by clergy very seriously. A Task Force for the Protection of Minors was formed in September and since October, has been visiting each of our Catholic schools conducting training of staff and faculty about the prevention of sexual abuse.

A new Victims Support Group has been meeting regularly to develop even more comprehensive outreach, support and counseling help for all victims who come forward. Meanwhile, our Sexual Abuse Response Coordinator (SARC) Deacon Leonard Stohr continues to reach out to victims and persons alleging abuse and can be reached at all hours at 727-7373.

The Archdiocese publishes an outreach statement and Deacon Stohr’s hotline number every week in our Catholic newspaper, the Umatuna Si Yu?os. The same information is also prominently posted in our Archdiocesan and Umatuna websites.

The Church on Guam has a duty and desire to render pastoral care to all of its faithful, most especially those who have been severely wounded by those holding trusted positions in our Archdiocese. We are strengthening our work in this area and pledge to provide a safe environment for all children and all people entrusted in our care.