Catholic church seeks files related to sex abuse law

GUAM
Pacific Daily News

Shawn Raymundo , sraymundo@guampdn.com December 14, 2016

The Archdiocese of Agana, which faces 13 lawsuits in connection with alleged child sexual abuse, has asked the Legislature for background information about the recent law that lifted the statute of limitations and made it possible to sue the church.

Among other things, church legal counsel John Terlaje on Dec. 12 asked Sen. Frank Aguon Jr. for all documents analyzing the constitutionality or legality of Bill 326-33, as well as all opinions of the Legislature’s attorney, regarding the bill. Terlaje submitted a Freedom of Information Act request to Aguon, who on Tuesday raised concerns about the request.

Aguon’s Judiciary Committee worked on the bill, which was introduced by Sen. Frank Blas, Jr. It lifted the statute of limitations on civil cases related to child sexual abuse, allowing victims to sue their abusers and the institutions that supported them.

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