Catholic School Student Accuses Late Priest of Sexual Abuse

By Janela Carrera
Pacific News Center
March 16, 2017

http://www.pacificnewscenter.com/local/13059

William Payne says he was a student at Father Duenas Memorial School and only 15 years old when it happened.

Guam - Back to back lawsuits filed against the Catholic Church as today, another victim has come forward with allegations against the late priest and former Father Duenas Memorial School teacher Father Antonio Cruz.

The latest lawsuit is filed by William Payne who is now 70 years old. Payne says when he was 15 years old and studying at FDMS, Cruz picked him up from his house under the guise of teaching him how to drive. After their lesson, Payne says Cruz took him to the Chalan Pago parish rectory where he drugged Payne with church wine and then molested him.

After this incident, Payne says he avoided Cruz as much as possible at school and even stopped trying to make good grades in Cruz’s class. Despite this, Payne says Father Cruz still gave him good grades.

Like many of the others, Payne is also seeking $5 million in damages. Payne is now the 30th alleged victim to file suit against the Archdiocese of Agana. You can read Payne's complaint by clicking on the file below.