Apuron, accusers need a day in court

GUAM
Guam Daily Post

We appreciate the efforts of the apostolic administrator, Archbishop Savio Hon Tai Fai, in resolving the issues what have disrupted the local Catholic Church. As we have stated, as a secular newspaper we do not have a position on such internal church matters as church finances, the ownership of church property – including the Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Yona – the influence of the Neocatechumenal Way or the assignment of priests.

But criminal behavior, particularly when it involves victims, must be investigated and those who are guilty must be prosecuted regardless of their station in the church or any other group or organization. Criminal law is in place for the protection of the members of the community, and criminals cannot be allowed to escape prosecution because they are clergy or hold any other position of influence.

Allegations of abuse

The allegations of child sexual abuse made recently against Archbishop Anthony Apuron by Roy Quintanilla, Doris Concepcion, Walter Denton and Roland Sondia are of a crime that is most heinous. The archbishop has not yet been afforded due process, and due to Guam’s statutes of limitations, it is entirely possible that he will never be charged in a court of law, so his guilt or innocence cannot be determined in that forum.

The alleged victims, though, have apparently devised a strategy that will bring the allegations against Apuron into court by filing a civil case accusing the archbishop of libel and slander for claiming their accusations are malevolent fabrications. In the course of a trial, the veracity of the accusations would have to be addressed. While not as desirable as a criminal trial with the possibility of criminal penalties, there would be some semblance of justice.

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