Diocese of Phoenix Said Cristobal Left Az

By Mindy Aguon
Guam Daily Post
May 10, 2018

https://www.postguam.com/news/local/diocese-of-phoenix-said-cristobal-left-az/article_14ab77a6-5402-11e8-a486-d798c5fc907b.html

Adrian Cristobal

Father Adrian Cristobal left the Diocese of Phoenix shortly after being ordered to return to Guam about one month ago, according to Diocese of Phoenix Director of Communications Rob DeFrancesco

Cristobal has yet to report back to the Archdiocese of Agana despite repeated directives for him to return home immediately.

Cristobal had been staying in Phoenix "on mission" temporarily from December 2017 to April. His faculties to celebrate the sacraments were removed on April 11 both on Guam and in the Diocese of Phoenix, immediately after learning of the first sex abuse lawsuit and allegation.

DeFrancesco said Cristobal did not have an assignment while residing in Phoenix. “There have been no reports of incidents or accusations during this time,” he told The Guam Daily Post. “There were no allegations against Fr. Cristobal prior to his arrival in Phoenix.”

Cristobal, the former Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Agana under former Archbishop Anthony Apuron, has been accused by two former altar boys who alleged they were sexually abused by the priest when he served at San Vicente/San Roke parish in Barrigada in the mid-90s.

One victim alleged he had been sexually abused for 15 years beginning when he was a student at San Vicente Catholic School. Another victim alleged he was subjected to two years of sexual abuse at the hands of Cristobal.

A preliminary investigation was conducted by the Archdiocese of Agana related to the first allegation of sexual abuse against Cristobal in accordance with the church’s strengthened sexual abuse policy. The findings have been forwarded to the Independent Review Board that will review the findings and advise the archbishop in his assessment of the allegation of sexual abuse of minors.

Archbishop Michael Byrnes limited Cristobal’s faculties as a priest as part of a precautionary measure related to the first allegation, effective April 11, forbidding the priest from celebrating mass publicly or hearing confessions while the case is under review.

The Archdiocese of Agana noted that Cristobal has been in contact via e-mail and has been warned about continued disobedience to comply with directives for him to return home immediately. Canon law provides for penalties or sanctions for any clergy member who continues disobedience after a warning.