Capuchin Brother Accused of Sexually Abusing Boy in Restroom, Car

By Haidee V Eugenio
Pacific Daily News
September 15, 2017

http://www.guampdn.com/story/news/2017/09/15/capuchin-brother-accused-sexually-abusing-boy-restroom-car/669119001/

Former Capuchin brother Vernon Kamiaz allegedly sexually abused a boy in the Agana Heights Parish restroom after a choir practice and in a vehicle after a church service, around 1983, a lawsuit filed in federal court on Friday states.

The plaintiff, identified in court documents only as R.I.C. to protect his privacy, was about 14 years old when Kamiaz allegedly sexually molested and abused him.

At the time, Kamiaz was a Capuchin brother assigned to the Agana Heights Parish, and he supervised and chaperoned many of the youth choir events, the lawsuit states. Kamiaz was also R.I.C.'s religious education teacher.

Kamiaz is a former science teacher at Simon Sanchez High School. He is now assigned to the Guam Department of Education's central office at Tiyan, which is not a school site.

The lawsuit states the first alleged abuse happened when Kamiaz followed R.I.C. into the restroom behind the parish social hall.

The second incident was in Kamiaz's vehicle after he offered the boy a ride home. The lawsuit states Kamiaz drove to a water tank near the Cliff Hotel and abused the boy.

R.I.C., now 48 and living in Mongmong, is the 107th person to file a lawsuit against the Archdiocese of Agana and other religious orders over alleged sex abuse by clergy or others affiliated with the Catholic church.

It's the third lawsuit accusing Kamiaz of abuse.

Represented by attorney David Lujan, R.I.C. is seeking a jury trial and $5 million in minimum damages.

The lawsuit names the Archdiocese of Agana, the Capuchin Franciscans, Capuchin Franciscans Province of St. Mary, Capuchin Franciscans Custody of Star of the Sea, and Kamiaz as defendants.

Contact: heugenio@guampdn.com