GUAM
Pacific Daily News
Haidee V Eugenio, Pacific Daily News October 3, 2016
In addition to naming Monsignor James L.G. Benavente as the new pastor of Saint Anthony and Saint Victor Church in Tamuning, Archbishop Savio Hon Tai Fai also appointed eight other priests to positions in village parishes or within the archdiocese, effective Sept. 30.
The Archdiocese of Agana started a news conference at 1:30 p.m. Monday to discuss steps the church is taking in anticipation of lawsuits by victims of clergy abuse on Guam, the archdiocese stated.
Watch the Pacific Daily News’ recording here or on our Facebook page.
Gov. Eddie Calvo on Sept. 23 signed a law that lifts the statute of limitations to allow victims of child sexual abuse to sue their abusers as well as anyone who helped them and the institutions with which they are affiliated. The church, before the bill was signed, lobbied against it, stating it could open up the church to financially crippling lawsuits.
Archbishop Anthony S. Apuron is among the clergy members who have been publicly accused of sexually abusing and raping altar boys in the 1970s, when he was a parish priest in Agat, and at least one of Apuron’s alleged victims said he plans to sue the archbishop.
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