HAGåTñA (GUAM)
Pacific Daily News [Hagåtña, Guam]
May 10, 2025
By Jojo Santo Tomas
Archbishop Ryan Jimenez has said that although plaintiffs have asked that civil sexual abuse cases be dismissed against former Archbishop Anthony Apuron, a church investigation found that Apuron was guilty of abusing minors, and nothing has changed that determination.
On May 7, documents were filed by plaintiffs in the District Court of Guam asking to drop eight cases of alleged sexual abuse and one case of defamation against Apuron. The former archbishop responded with a statement and a video saying the dismissal requests, which originated with the plaintiffs, are proof of his innocence.
Apuron said he remains a bishop, the only bishop or priest ever allowed to retain the designation after being found guilty of sex crimes, which proves his innocence.
Apuron spoke of one day returning to Guam, and that he prays for Jimenez to receive the “courage to seek the truth and to do what’s right.”
On Friday, Jimenez distributed a letter to Archdiocese of Agaña officials rejecting Apuron’s assertions and clarifying the church’s position.
Jimenez said that while he respects the decisions of the victims of the former archbishop, on Feb. 7, 2019, a Vatican tribunal found Apuron guilty of committing abuse against minors.
“That determination was made following a canonical investigation and penal trial, conducted by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of Faith in Rome,” Jimenez wrote.
“That determination led to the former bishop losing his rank and duties as the leader of the Catholic Church on Guam, as well as a perpetual prohibition preventing him from returning to Guam or presenting himself with the insignia attached to the rank of bishop,” wrote Jimenez. “Nothing about that determination has changed.”
He said he remains committed to a pledge he wrote in December 2024. He promised “to walk in fidelity with the survivors and all concerned to the end when we see God face to face and our tears are no more.”
Pacific Daily News reporter Jojo Santo Tomas covers all interesting topics, including sports. Email him at jsantotoma@guampdn.com.