GUAM
KUAM
Updated: Sep 05, 2016
By Sabrina Salas Matanane
Amid allegations that Archbishop Anthony Apuron molested children, the Archdiocese of Agana has created a special task force for the protection of minors. The group will help in strengthening the local catholic church’s sexual abuse policy, which has been referred to as flaw.
It’s the latest announcement out of the archdiocese as it works to restore unity and peace.
During a conference held this past weekend by the archdiocese, recently-appointed sexual abuse response coordinator Deacon Len Stohr announced the creation of a new task force for the protection of minors. “We were looking at the current policy,” he summarized. “We were looking at a way to reach out to make it a broader guidance, and what was missing was the lay involvement.”
The task force is comprised of retired deputy attorney general and Guam’s first-ever public guardian Attorney John Weisenberger, former Archdiocesan Review Board member Vince Pereda (a clinical social worker and licensed therapist who’s been practicing for over 30 years), retired police officers Ray and Josephine Fernandez (who combined have over 60 years of experience in law enforcement). Serving as chairperson of the task force is Sarah Thomas Nededog, who is a longtime social worker of 40 years.
“When the archbishop (Hon) spoke with us, I want you to know that we walked away from that interaction feeling very inspired and very supported in this work that we’re going to do. There is a very strong recognition that the archbishop and the archdiocese want to make a very big push toward the protection of our children the most vulnerable people in our community,” said Nededog.
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