GUAM
Patrick J. Wall
It’s time for the people of Guam to lower their expectations of the canonical church trial of Archbishop Anthony Apuron.
Make no mistake: there will be extreme secrecy cloaked under the “pontifical secret” and sovereign immunity. And while the procedure is called a canonical “trial,” it is nothing like any criminal trial you have experienced or seen on television.
1. There will be no jury impaneled to publicly decide innocence or guilt.
2. There will be no judge in a black robe responsible to the People conducting a fair and impartial trial.
3. Secrecy is king. There will be no public hearing. The process began in secret, will be conducted in secret, decided in secret and the findings will be kept in secret Vatican archives.
4. The outcome will only be known when the Holy See serves its decision on Anthony Apuron through the Papal Nuncio of the country and bishop where Apuron is domiciled.
5. The procedure is based on the Code of Canon law and SST (Sacramentum Santitatis Tutela) promulgated in 2001.
6. No matter the outcome, this is a test for Pope Francis and his commitment to discipline Bishops in the protection of minors.
7. Apuron will not be present in Rome for any of it.
What to expect
Pope Francis is the only church official who can bring an action against Apuron.
Whenever the Pope becomes aware of a Bishop who has sexually abused children, he appoints investigators—known as auditors—to gather the facts and circumstances around the matter. A likely candidate is Revered James Conn S.J., J.D., J.C.D.
The Pope then reviews the matter and decides whether to commence a Judicial or Administrative action.
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