Clergy Sex Abuse Cases" Pre-mediation Hearing on Tuesday; Archbishop Calls for Continued Prayers

By Haidee V. Eugenio
Pacific Daily News
June 4, 2018

https://www.guampdn.com/story/news/2018/06/04/clergy-sex-abuse-cases-pre-mediation-hearing-tuesday/668229002/

A joint court hearing on the status of about 170 clergy sex abuse cases filed in local and federal courts is set for 8 a.m. on June 5, as parties continue to pursue mediation with the Archdiocese of Agana and other defendants.

Parties are scheduled to attend a hearing in federal court to provide a status update on the archdiocese's ongoing interviews with the plaintiffs as part of the mediation process.

In this file photo, attorneys for plaintiffs and defendants in 155-plus Guam clergy sex abuse lawsuits emerge from the U.S. District Court building after a first joint status conference for cases filed in local and federal court. Another joint status conference hearing is set for June 5.

They will present the information to U.S. District Court Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood and Superior Court of Guam Judge Michael Bordallo.

Faithful called on to remain relentless in prayer

Archbishop Michael Jude Byrnes, meanwhile, called on the Catholic faithful to remain relentless in prayer "for those who have suffered the unimaginable agony of sexual abuse and violence" as well as for their perpetrators and those who have been named.

"As we struggle with demoralizing realities in our island such as domestic violence, sexual assault and abuse, financial difficulties, divorce, broken families, and polarized factions, open your hearts in humility to our Lord. He alone gives true peace," Byrnes said as in his message as the Year of Reparation ended.

The archdiocese, along with priests, clergy and others associated with the Catholic Church such as the Boy Scouts of America, has been named in some 170 clergy sex abuse cases filed in local and federal courts since 2016. Among the accused clergy is former Archbishop Anthony S. Apuron, who was convicted by a Vatican tribunal in March 2018 in a trial that included child sex abuse allegations.