Uncovered Allegations a "Violation" of Trust in Church
By Mindy Aguon
The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests is outraged to learn the note-taker of the Vatican tribunal involved in the canonical trial of suspended Archbishop Anthony Apuron had been accused of sexual harassment in 2014 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Rev. Justin Wachs is accused of sexually harassing a female employee of the Sioux Falls Diocese in 2014. "The presence of Father Wachs, without his disclosing the accusations against him to the survivors, their attorneys and the Catholic faithful – was a complete violation of that trust," said SNAP Western Regional Leader Joelle Casteix. Keloland Investigates, a television program in Sioux Falls, uncovered the allegations and interviewed the parish employee. The woman accused Wachs of inappropriately touching and speaking with her on multiple occasions, and said the priest resigned and sought medical treatment after certain parameters had been set for his contact with her. "We believe this violation proves once again that neither the Vatican nor its representatives take Apuron's alleged sexual abuse of children seriously," Casteix said. One year after the alleged sexual harassment, Wachs was assigned to the Vatican's Congregation of the Doctrine of Faith, which deals with "faith and morals." He was then appointed as the note-taker in Apuron's canonical trial, recording the testimonies of Roland Sondia, Walter Denton, Roy Quintanilla and Mary Jane Quinata Cruz – mother of the late Joseph "Sonny" Quinata – as well as others who may have had information about the alleged abuse and Apuron's actions. Apuron is accused of sexually abusing the four former altar boys decades ago when he was a priest, claims he has vehemently denied. The victims' attorney, David Lujan, said Wachs was tasked with putting together a transcript of the canonical trial proceedings to present to the panel of judges who will deliberate on Apuron's case. Lujan told The Guam Daily Post he, too, was shocked at the claim made against Wachs and the Vatican's decision to have him serve with the Congregation of the Doctrine of Faith. "The brave men told Wachs their deeply personal stories of sexual abuse and betrayal," Casteix said. "Wachs was presented to these brave survivors and the public as a trustworthy person who, survivors assumed, had never been accused of sexual misconduct." SNAP is hoping Coadjutor Archbishop Michael Byrnes will get answers as to why Wachs, with his history, was allowed "closed-door access" to the Apuron victims. The group also has asked that Byrnes apologize to everyone who testified in front of Wachs. Archdiocese statement In a statement issued Friday, the Archdiocese of Agana said it was not knowledgeable about the accusations and has no influence over the canonical trial process. Byrnes and the church's "primary and only concern" is for the care and healing of the victims and the settlement of their complaints, which they report is progressing "steadily." The statement added the archdiocese prays and pushes forward for a "global settlement of all the complaints of the victims." Motion to dismiss Apuron, who is still being paid a salary by the archdiocese and currently resides off-island, has filed a motion to dismiss the sex abuse lawsuits. The motion alleges the law that allowed victims of sexual abuse to pursue legal action is inorganic and the plaintiffs' claims are time-barred. "Public Law 33-187 does not protect children against sexual abuse, nor does it permissibly grant a justiciable cause of action which fails to overcome its unconstitutional and inorganic shortfalls," stated Apuron's lawyer, Jacqueline Taitano-Terlaje, in the motion to dismiss. Judge Joaquin Manibusan Jr. of the District Court of Guam has scheduled a status conference for the Apuron lawsuits for Monday, Aug. 7.
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