2 more clergy abuse suits filed

By Haidee V Eugenio
Pacific Daily News
March 28, 2017

http://www.guampdn.com/story/news/2017/03/27/2-more-clergy-abuse-suits-filed/99716956/

A view of the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica in Hagåtña is shown in this Dec. 30, 2016, file photo.

Two former altar boys allege former Catholic priest Louis Brouillard sexually abused them multiple times on parish grounds and during Boy Scouts of America activities starting when they were about 9 years old.

Lawsuits filed by “M.M.,” now 56, and John Cruz, now 55, bring to 35 the Guam clergy sexual abuse cases filed thus far in local and federal court.

The first complaint identifies the plaintiff as “M.M.." This is the first Guam clergy sex abuse lawsuit that protects a plaintiff’s identity. M.M. lives in Washington state. Cruz lives in Agat.

The men filed their lawsuits in the Superior Court of Guam against the Archdiocese of Agana and the Boy Scouts of America Tuesday morning.

They are represented by attorney Kevin Fowler of the Guam law firm of Dooley Roberts Fowler & Visosky LLP, and Seattle-based attorney Michael Pfau of the firm Pfau Cochran Vertetis Amala PLLC.

The former altar boys allege they were sexually abused at San Isidro parish by Brouillard, a former priest and Boy Scout leader.

In his complaint, M.M. alleges Brouillard would drive around Malojloj on Saturday nights to pick him and other altar boys up for Mass the next day. The lawsuit states Brouillard “used these overnight stays to sexually abuse M.M. and other altar boys at the parish, including in the rectory.” The lawsuit states the abuse occurred from about 1970 to 1975, when he was about 9 to 15 years old.

The lawsuit alleges the archdiocese knew or should have known that Brouillard was sexually abusing altar boys and Boy Scouts, but did nothing to protect them.

“Our law firm will do whatever we can to protect the identity of our clients. While our local courts have not squarely addressed this issue, it is common for courts to protect the identity of sexual assault victims, including survivors of childhood sexual abuse, at least until trial. People who survived abuse should not think they have to make their names publicly known in order to seek justice and accountability," Fowler said in a statement.

Fowler’s co-counsel, Pfau, said it's important for abuse survivors to know that courts usually take steps to protect their identity.

“We have represented hundreds of abuse survivors and most of our clients have proceeded using their initials or a pseudonym like ‘John Doe.’ The Guam courts will decide how to handle this issue, but I believe most jurisdictions recognize the need to protect the identity of sexual abuse survivors so that people are willing to come forward," Pfau said in a statement.

Cruz also alleges Brouillard sexually abused him multiple times while Cruz was an altar boy and Boy Scout at San Isidro. His lawsuit states he was about 9 or 10 years old when Brouillard sexually abused him, including in the rectory of the San Isidro.

“I know I could have used my initials, but I hope that by using my full name, other abuse survivors will recognize my name and come forward so we can seek closure together," Cruz said in a statement.

Fowler said his law office will give prospective clients the choice of whether they want to use their real name.

“Until a Guam court tells us otherwise, we will give prospective clients the choice of using their full name, their initials, or a pseudonym like ‘John Doe.’  We want to help abuse survivors seek closure, but the first step is making them feel comfortable coming forward. I think we will all be shocked if any of the defendants try to force people to publicly disclose their real names.”