Former Guam Resident Files Sex Abuse Lawsuit

By Mindy Aguon
Guam Daily Post
August 28, 2017

https://www.postguam.com/news/local/former-guam-resident-files-sex-abuse-lawsuit/article_cf614894-8bcd-11e7-bc16-5bcfec8f94d6.html

The Nuestra Senora de la Paz Y Buen Viaje, or Our Lady of Peace and Safe Journey Catholic Church, in Chalan Pago. A former resident has come forward with claims of child sexual abuse, naming the late priest Antonio C. Cruz as the perpetrator. Post file photo

A new lawsuit filed against the Archdiocese of Agana alleges that a now-deceased priest sexually abused a young boy on church grounds in the 1960s.

A former Guam resident who now resides in Las Vegas, Nevada, filed a civil complaint in the District Court of Guam seeking $5 million in damages for alleged sexual abuse when he was 9 years old. The complaint names the perpetrator as Father Antonio Cruz, who is now deceased.

Details of the allegations

A.J.A., who used initials to file the lawsuit to protect his identity, said he and his family were devout Catholics and active members of Our Lady of Peace and Safe Journey Catholic Church in Chalan Pago.

While growing up in Guam, his family frequently volunteered their services and would cook for Cruz and wash his clothes, the complaint states.

One day while delivering the priest's clothes, Cruz allegedly instructed the boy to put the clothes away in his bedroom. A.J.A. alleges the priest then sexually molested and abused him.

Cruz died in November 1986 at the age of 62, court documents state.

The lawsuit, filed by A.J.A.'s attorney, David Lujan, alleges the Archdiocese of Agana and other individuals were aware of the sexual abuse committed by the priest and "deliberately" remained quiet and withheld information from the boy's parents and law enforcement authorities.