GUAM
Associated Press

BY GRACE GARCES BORDALLO
ASSOCIATED PRESS

HAGATNA, Guam (AP) — The Roman Catholic Church of Guam has established a $1 million settlement fund for victims of child sexual abuse.

In a news conference with his nine-member archdiocese finance council, Archbishop Michael J. Byrnes said the funds will become available as soon as the archdiocese has put in place an administrator who will be supported by an independent third party. After these are in place, Byrnes said victims can contact the administrator directly. He added victims’ confidentiality will be respected.

To date, 24 victims have filed a lawsuit for clergy child sexual abuse against the archdiocese of Agana in Guam.

Byrnes said the archdiocese has taken steps to revamp its sexual abuse policy.

“We will show no tolerance to abusers,” Byrnes said.