GUAM
Pacific Daily News
Haidee V Eugenio , heugenio@guampdn.com Feb. 9, 2017
The world’s largest network of clergy sex abuse survivors said the Vatican’s ongoing investigation into sexual abuse allegations against Archbishop Anthony S. Apuron will not lead to justice for former altar boys, citing a lack of transparency in the canonical trial process and the absence of punishment for church officials who helped cover up the abuses.
Civil courts, however, give survivors a chance at healing and justice, said Joelle Casteix, volunteer western regional director for the Illinois-based Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, or SNAP.
“In the civil courts, there is transparency, accountability and justice. There is also a deterrent. Hopefully through the civil process, survivors will get healing and justice,” Casteix said.
Former altar boys who accused Apuron of sexually abusing or raping them in Agat in the 1970s have filed separate lawsuits in the U.S. District Court of Guam.
Apuron is also undergoing a canonical trial at the Vatican, but canon lawyer Patrick J. Wall said Apuron will not be at the Vatican for any of the proceedings.
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