Vatican Tribunal Note-taker Accused of Sexual Harassment
By Mindy Aguon
The note-taker for the Vatican tribunal who came to Guam to investigate child sex abuse allegations against Archbishop Anthony Apuron was accused of sexual harassment in his home parish in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Rev. Justin Wachs, the notary and recorder for the tribunal, has faced allegations of sexual harassment filed by a former employee of the Sioux Falls Diocese, according to Keloland Investigation in South Dakota. The woman alleged Wachs inappropriately touched her and interacted with her in 2014. According to the Keloland report, Wachs and the diocese tried to save the working relationship and establish professional boundaries between the woman and Wachs, but months later, he resigned from the parish and went on medical leave. The Sioux Falls Diocese has paid nearly $2,000 in co-pays for the victim's counseling and medical bills as a result of the alleged harassment that Wachs, through a statement from his attorney, disputed. In May 2015, Wachs was tasked to serve in Rome at the Vatican with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which deals with "faith and morals." He was designated as the congregation notary, responsible for taking all of the notes and testimony during the canonical trial proceedings in Apuron's canonical trial. Apuron is accused of sexually abusing four former altar boys decades ago when he was a priest. He was last seen in California and has filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuits. While at least 70 clergy sex abuse cases have been stayed, or halted, as the victims and the church engage in mediation, Apuron has declined to participate in any settlement discussions pending the outcome of the canonical trial. "It's shocking," attorney David Lujan said in response to the sexual harassment accusations against Wachs. "I'd think the Vatican would have priests of greater integrity to act as a notary or recorder, a keeper of the most important reformation process that the church can employ." Lujan met with Wachs when the priest and other members of the Vatican tribunal came to Guam in February to hear testimony in Apuron's canonical trial. The attorney, who has filed more than 75 civil complaints against the Archdiocese of Agana – including four cases against Apuron – was skeptical of the process at the time and denied the tribunal access to his client, Roland Sondia, because he would not be allowed to sit in during the proceedings. 'Lacking in virtue and character' Lujan said the proceedings were shrouded by a "heavy cloak of secrecy" and the accusations against Wach, and the apparent "promotion" due to the transfer by the church in Rome makes him even more skeptical about the truthfulness of the information Wachs transcribed. "Even the people involved in the canonical trial who keep it secret have secrets," Lujan said. "How can one trust anything this man writes, if he is lacking in virtue and character?" The attorney said had he known about the accusations against Wachs prior to the canonical trial and the tribunal's visit to Guam, he would have objected. "The church does not lack the great teachings. It lacks the great teachers." Last month, Coadjutor Archbishop Michael Byrnes said he was notified by Wachs, the notary of the tribunal, that the discovery period of the trial ended and three judges would convene to deliberate on what had been heard. Byrnes said after the Vatican judges deliberate, they will publish the decision, which will include the "point of the trial" in addition to the verdict of guilty, not guilty or not proven. It is anticipated a decision will be issued by the end of the summer.
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