Apuron accusers testify; decision by early summer

By Mindy Aguon
Guam Daily Post
May 8, 2017

https://www.postguam.com/news/local/apuron-accusers-testify-decision-by-early-summer/article_31df1c34-32f6-11e7-a88b-97aa3dc0c67b.html

ABUSE: In this file photo, Walter Denton, Roy Quintanilla and Roland Sondia accuse Archbishop Anthony Apuron of sexually abusing them in the 1970s when they were altar boys.

"Apologize to me and explain to me why you did this. Only Apuron can answer those questions, to me that would be justice." – Roy Quintanilla, one of four alleged victims of sexual abuse by suspended Archbishop Anthony Apuron

A canonical trial for suspended Archbishop Anthony Apuron, who faces penal charges in connection with allegations that he sexually abused altar boys decades ago when he was a priest, is expected to be completed by early summer as two additional depositions by his accusers were taken yesterday in Hawaii.

Roy Quintanilla, Roland Sondia, Walter Denton and Doris Concepcion, on behalf of her late son, Joseph "Sonny" Quinata, have alleged they were abused by Apuron while serving as altar boys.

A tribunal from the Vatican came to Guam in February and conducted several interviews, but Sondia did not participate at the direction of his attorney, David Lujan, who expressed concerns about the transparency of the proceedings.

Lujan told The Guam Daily Post a compromise had been reached with the tribunal two weeks ago and arrangements were made for Quintanilla and Sondia to meet with the Vatican representatives at St. Stephen's Diocesan Center in Kaneohe, Hawaii, on Sunday Guam time.

Denton and Concepcion met with a tribunal from the Vatican in Arizona in March.

Quintanilla just celebrated his 53rd birthday and said he hopes the coming year will bring closure and justice for a horrific experience that he says happened when he was 12 years old at the Mount Carmel parish rectory.

"I still don't understand why he did it. Did I do something to him? Did I deserve this? Apologize to me and explain to me why you did this. Only Apuron can answer those questions, to me, that would be justice," Quintanilla said in a phone interview from Hawaii.

Both men spent several hours each with five individuals, including Cardinal Raymond Burke, notary Father Justin Wachs, Father James Conn and two attorneys who represented Apuron.

Quintanilla and Sondia said the panel was not adversarial and everyone acted professionally. Apuron's attorneys were not allowed to ask questions, but they did provide a few questions to Cardinal Burke during the proceeding.

"I didn't expect that this was going to be easy because the experience was not a pleasant experience and having to go there to share that part of my life was not pleasant," Quintanilla said. "They came a long way to get my testimony and I've been wanting to do this."

Both men said they became emotional during the interview.

Sondia said, "A lot of weight has been taken off my shoulders. I shared my story and explained what happened."

He said he got really emotional as he recalled the abuse.

"I could see the expression on Cardinal Burke's face and he put his head down several times when I was sharing my story," Sondia said.

The Guam resident said providing his testimony was cathartic.

"Although it wasn't actually what we wanted all along – to face Apuron – the fact that we were facing people under the Vatican, that meant a whole lot," Sondia said. "I think it will be fair, and I just hope and pray that he is found guilty."

After several hours, they each were provided a copy of their testimony to read and review to ensure that what was transcribed was their statements, providing assurance that their true testimony was taken back to the Vatican. The audio of the depositions was also recorded.

Quintanilla and Sondia were told the proceedings would not be shared publically, but the Vatican's decision on Apuron would. Father Wachs assured them a decision is expected by "early summer."

Cardinal Burke and several other members of the Vatican will act as judges reviewing the written testimony provided to the tribunal. Father Wachs told Apuron's accusers the judges could find Apuron guilty, find him innocent or find there is not enough information allowing Apuron to appeal.

Both men say they are praying Apuron is found guilty.

"Short of having him come in front of his accusers and admitting and apologizing – what we've been asking from the very beginning – him being found guilty would be considered justice," Sondia said.

Quintanilla said he had expected Apuron to be honest and apologize for his actions, not come out publicly and accuse the four men of lying and then leave the island.

"Instead, he hired an attorney and is still denying it. How am I going to get closure if he doesn't come out and admit it. The most closure I'm going to get it when they find him guilty," Quintanilla said. "I have to settle with that and accept that he's never going to apologize."

Earlier this year, Apuron was found residing in California. His attorney, Jacqueline Taitano-Terlaje, said her client is "defending his innocence without distraction."

Quintanilla and Sondia said they are grateful for the tremendous outpouring of support from their family, friends and island residents.

"Without a doubt, I feel the community is on my side," Quintanilla stated.

No matter what decision comes from the Vatican, Quintanilla and Sondia said they know the horrific ordeal will stay with them.

"That incident, that trauma can't be erased from our lives," Sondia said. "It will never really go away, not entirely. Him being found guilty would just be closing that part of the story."