Church council readies for litigation

GUAM
Guam Daily Post

Neil Pang | Post News Staff

With 14 suits now targeting the Archdiocese of Agana and even more assuredly on the way, the financial arm of the church has been hard at working preparing for what could amount to millions of dollars in settlements to survivors of child sexual abuse.

“A lot has been happening,” said Richard Untalan, president of the Archdiocesan Finance Council (AFC).

While he was unable to provide specific details for obvious legal reasons, Untalan did confirm that the recent filing of the now 14 suits against the church was a major concern for the AFC, which would be the body tasked with oversight of any settlements made as a result of litigation.

“The Archdiocese (of Agana) is hard at work in establishing an abuse victims fund,” he said. “So yes, we are preparing and repositioning the patrimony of the archdiocese to cope with what we expect to be substantial financial liabilities.”

Untalan said that since the reconstitution of the AFC by Apostolic Administrator Archbishop Savio Hon Tai Fai in October, council members have been meeting once a week to address the various issues under their purview.

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