Church Establishes $1m Settlement Fund for Child Sex Abuse Victims, by Krystal Paco, KUAM, March 8, 2017

Church Establishes $1m Settlement Fund for Child Sex Abuse Victims

By Krystal Paco
KUAM
March 8, 2017

http://www.kuam.com/story/34692153/2017/03/07/church-establishes-1m-settlement-fund-for-child-sex-abuse-victims

With the Archdiocesan Finance Council behind him Archbishop Michael Byrnes announced the establishment of a settlement fund of $1 million to aid victims of child sexual abuse. He said it will be developed and administered by a third party to establish the procedures for payment of claims. He said they are actively searching for an administrator of the fund.

“The establishment of the fund to aid victims is another concrete step in our effort to reach out to victims of child sexual abuse and do all that we can to help them … and help them heal… and help them find peace… help them find a sense of closure for what they dealt with fo so many years, the Archbishop said. AFC President Richard Untalan says the administrator does not necessarily have to be from Guam, but they are looking for someone with a legal background. He added the $1 million in the fund is just the starting point.

The money is from the liquidation of certain church assets but was not specific. When asked whether the RMS was part of the liquidation, Untalan said no but everything is on the table. He added currently an assessment of the property is being conducted. In total he said the church has assets of $132 million. The AFC is hoping to establish the fund in one month. Untalan says this shows our serious intent that we want this fund to operate independently and to address the sexual abuse victims.

Currently 24 former altar boys have filed a lawsuit in court alleging child sex abuse by local clergy.AFC spokesperson Toni Sanford concluded the press conference saying they want to ensure trust, transparency and zero tolerance for sexual abuse. She added they want to bring back the credibility of church management.

Archbishop Byrnes ended the press conference with a prayer for all the victims, including the most recent one to file a lawsuit, Anthony "Tony" Flores.