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Capuchin friar on Guam accused of abusing boy taking his confirmation classes

By Haidee V. Eugenio
USA Today
August 10, 2017

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2017/08/10/guam-clergy-sex-abuse-97th-lawsuit/555720001/

The USA TODAY Network’s Pacific Daily News has uncovered nearly 100 lawsuits with stunning accusations against the some of the most revered men on Guam – the priests.

HAGÅTÑA, Guam — A Capuchin brother is accused of sexually abusing a boy by grabbing his private parts, purportedly to teach the child how to have sex with his girlfriend, according to a lawsuit filed Thursday in Guam Superior Court.

The suit represents the 97th person alleging clergy sexual abuse. The lawsuits so far have been filed in both local and federal courts and involve the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Agaña or a religious order.

"Brother Vernon (T. Kamiaz) told plaintiff that he could teach plaintiff how to 'break down her defenses' so that he could have sex with her," according to the lawsuit. "Plaintiff objected, saying that he respected his girlfriend's wishes to abstain until marriage."

The alleged abuse happened between 1989 and 1990 while the boy, identified as E.M., was taking confirmation classes at Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Church in Agaña Heights, about a mile south of Hagåtña where Kamiaz was the instructor, the lawsuit states. E.M. was 15 or 16 years old.

Kamiaz became obsessed with the topic of the teen's relationship with his girlfriend, repeatedly asking him whether he was having a sexual relationship with her.

"While plaintiff was driving to Brother Vernon's house, Brother Vernon suddenly announced, 'This is how you break down her defenses!' He then reached over and grabbed plaintiff's crotch through plaintiff's pants and began squeezing his testicles and penis," the lawsuit states.

E.M. tried to pull the brother's hand away, the complaint states. But Kamiaz said, "I'm trying to teach you what to do so you can have sex with her."

Kamiaz allegedly tried to get in touch with E.M. days after the incident, but the teen avoided him.

"Plaintiff was deeply embarrassed and ashamed by what Brother Vernon did to him. After the sexual assault, plaintiff was scared to leave his home, and when he did leave, (he) had a feeling of dread and distrust of people," the lawsuit states.

For more than 25 years, panic attacks have been the result of the assault, according to the suit.

"Because of the sexual assault, plaintiff has suffered from extreme anxiety and has frequently visited the emergency room for severe panic attacks. Plaintiff suffers from extreme anxiety to this day."

Until this year, E.M. never told anyone what Kamiaz had done to him, the lawsuit states.

Defendants are Kamiaz, the Archdiocese of Agaña; the Province of St. Mary of the Capuchin Order in Guam, also known as the Capuchin Franciscans; and the Province of St. Mary of the Capuchin Order Inc., based in Yonkers, N.Y.

"As a result of the actions of Brother Vernon, plaintiff lost tremendous respect and trust for the church," the complaint states.




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