Father Adrian Cristobal, Accused of Sex Abuse in Guam, Is Missing after Leaving Phoenix

By Jerod MacDonald-Evoy
Arizona Republic
July 15, 2019

https://www.azcentral.com/story/news/local/phoenix/2018/06/15/guam-priest-accused-sex-abuse-father-adrian-cristobal-missing-after-leaving-phoenix/702237002/

In this 2014 photo, Father Adrian Cristobal gives an opening prayer at All Souls' Day Mass at Guam Memorial Park in Barrigada. He was reassigned to the Umatac church.

Father Adrian Cristobal, who was on sabbatical in Phoenix until recently and is accused of sexually abusing two boys more than 20 years ago in Guam, has not returned to the island as ordered by the church.

Two men filed separate civil suits in federal court in Guam in April and May accusing Cristobal of sexual abuse.

Cristobal had arrived in Phoenix in December 2017 for sabbatical with a letter of good standing, the Phoenix Diocese said in a written statement to The Arizona Republic. He did not have an assignment and the Phoenix Diocese said it removed his faculties, or his ability to perform church sacraments, after the first suit was filed in April.

Phoenix Diocese spokesman Rob DeFrancescso said Cristobal had called them in April, saying he was at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport "presumably heading to Guam."

The local diocese hasn't heard from him since, DeFrancescso said.

The Archdiocese of Agana says Cristobal could face further sanctions by the church if he does not return to the island by Friday.

The Guam church has been rocked by numerous allegations against priests, which came after the territory lifted the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse in 2016. Three Arizona residents are among those claiming sexual abuse by Catholic church leaders on the Pacific island.