BishopAccountability.org
	Archdiocese Issues Statement on Reporting Sexual Abuse Pacific News Center April 13, 2010 http://www.pacificnewscenter.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4351:archdiocese-issues-statement-on-reporting-sexual-abuse&catid=45:guam-news&Itemid=156 Guam - The Archdiocese of Guam Tuesday afternoon issued a statement on the reporting of sexual abuse. In its statement, the Guam Archdiocese acknowledges that it has been the focus of recent media reports about allegations of sexual abuse committed by priests in the Guam Church. It calls sexual abuse "of the gravest concern" and says "We take the protection of our children very seriously." It goes onto to read: "We strongly encourage any person who has information regarding allegations of sexual abuse to come forward and report those allegations to the appropriate civil authorities. In addition, our door is also open to hearing about such allegations." The Archdiocese statement makes no admission of sexual abuse cases here. Nor does it respond directly to calls from the "Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests" [SNAP] which has alleged that there are currently priests on island who have abused children in the past. SNAP has called on the Archbishop to reveal the names of those priests. No admission or acknowledgement of SNAP is made in the Archdiocese's statement. The statement from the Guam Archdiocese follows on the heels of the Vatican's publication of its policy on reporting sexual abuse. A brief statement posted on the Vatican website says "Civil law concerning reporting of crimes to the appropriate authorities should always be followed." The Statement is reprinted below: Archdiocese of Agana Statement on Reporting Sexual Abuse "Recently, the Archdiocese of Agana has been the focal point of stories in the news media discussing allegations of sexual abuse by priests in Our Church." "Sexual abuse is a matter of the gravest concern, as our Our Lord calls us to protect the most innocent and vulnerable among us -- our children. We take the protection of children very seriously." "We strongly encourage any person who has information regarding allegations of sexual abuse to come forward and report those allegations to the appropriate civil authorities. In addition, our door is also open to hearing about such allegations." "For those wishing to express their concerns directly to the Archdiocese, please visit or call Deacon Jeff Barcinas (472-6116 ext. 205) or Deacon Steve Martinez (472-6116, ext 208) at the Chancery." "The Archdiocese of Agana has had an effective safety plan in place to protect all children served in the Archdiocese since April 23 of 2002." "This document cane be viewed at our official website at http/agana-archiocese.org You can also call or visit the Chancery to request a copy (472-6116, ext. 206)." "The Archdiocese explicitly follows the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' Charter on Sexual Abuse, as ratified by the Holy See." "We stand ready to assist victims of abuse as part of the Church's charity and embrace of those suffering and in need. Regardless of where or how abuse happened, we urge any who are victims of abuse to report this abuse to proper authorities, trust adults, or others so that action can be taken to correct and prevent abuse." "Together we can make our homes, schools, offices and institutions safer for children."
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.