Altar Boy Told Abuse Would Bring Him "Closer to God"

By Mindy Aguon
Guam Daily Post
August 7, 2019

https://www.postguam.com/news/local/lawsuit-altar-boy-told-abuse-would-bring-him-closer-to/article_f35217ce-b8e4-11e9-94e5-1fa7e59877da.html

A former altar boy and Boy Scout alleges he was sexually abused by a priest while on church grounds and was told the abuse would bring him “closer to God,” according to the latest clergy sex abuse lawsuit filed in the District Court of Guam.

J.C.B., who used initials to protect his identity, filed a civil complaint against the Capuchin Franciscans and Boy Scouts of America.

The lawsuit named the late Louis Brouillard as his abuser and alleged the abuse occurred for three to four years in the early 1960s beginning when J.C.B. was 11 years old.

Once or twice a week, Brouillard allegedly took J.C.B. to his back room for the stated purpose of cleaning his bedroom. However, while in the room, the boy was ordered to undress and to lie in Brouillard’s bed next to the priest because doing so would result in the boy being “closer to God,” the lawsuit states.

Brouillard allegedly fondled and sexually abused the boy and told him not to worry about it or be scared because he was a priest. The boy was also told not to tell anyone because “no one will believe” him because Brouillard was a priest.

The abuse allegedly continued during swimming outings with the Boy Scouts at Tagachang Beach in Yona, Agana Springs and the Lonfit River where J.C.B. and other boys were fondled by Brouillard, court documents state.

Brouillard allegedly told all the altar boys and Boy Scouts that if they did not swim naked with him and accept his sexual abuse, they would need to walk home from the outing.

The plaintiff’s attorney Michael Berman said the Boy Scouts and Capuchin Franciscans “deliberately remained quiet” about Brouillard’s sexual abuse.

A Boy Scouts of America executive on Guam named John Seigal confronted Brouillard with stories that he had sexual activities with boys at scout camp and Brouillard agreed to stop sexual activities with boys, but failed to do so, the lawsuit states.

Berman said the Boy Scouts failed to take any action against the scoutmaster.

The lawsuit seeks $5 million in damages.