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	SNAP Again Calls on Guam's Archbishop to Name Predator Priests Pacific News Center March 23, 2011 http://www.pacificnewscenter.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=12647:snap-again-calls-on-guams-archbishop-to-name-predator-priests&catid=45:guam-news&Itemid=156 Guam - The Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests [SNAP] is again calling on Archbishop Anthony Apuron to make public the names of all priests who work, or have worked on Guam, and have been "credibly accused" of sexually abuse. In a release to the media, SNAP's Western Regional Director, Joelle Casteix, says she has written a letter to Archbishop Apuron asking him to "embrace 'the letter and the spirit' of two new laws that help victims keep kids safe by exposing child predators in court." The letter asks the Archbishop to: * make public on the diocese website and in the media the names of all credibly accused priests who work or have worked on Guam, * turn over secret documents that outline abuse allegations and actions taken (if any) by church officials, and * make public all information about abuse on Guam disclosed to officials in other dioceses. Casteix says that the letter was sent in response to "two new child-friendly laws" recently passed and signed into law by Governor Calvo. Those 2 measures are Bills 33 and 34. Bill 33 extends the statute of limitations on filing sexual abuse allegations against alleged perpetrators. Bill 34 opens a temporary 2 year window on the statute for filing civil suits against such perpetrators. In the letter to the Archbishop, the SNAP members write: "The time for hiding perpetrators and valuable evidence has ended." And "Guam's lawmakers, like other lawmakers around the country, understand that your first priority should be transparency. No child should be sacrificed in order to protect a perpetrator." Read the letter from SNAP to Archbishop Anthony Apuron: Archbishop Anthony Sablan Apuron, OFM Cap, D.D. Archdiocese of Agana, Guam 196 B Cuesta San Ramon Hagatna, GUAM 96910 March 23, 2011 Via Email and Fax (671) 477-3519 info@aganacathedral.org eweisenberger@mail.archdioceseofagana.com Dear Archbishop Apuron, As victims of childhood sexual abuse by clergy, employees and volunteers, we were overjoyed to learn about the passage of Senate Bills 33 and 34 which removed the statute of limitations for child sex crimes and opened a two-year window for older victims to seek justice, no matter when their abuse occurred. We were also grossly disappointed to learn that you used valuable resources to fight the civil window - resources that could be better used exposing predators, releasing documents and keeping kids safe. Fortunately, there are things you can do RIGHT NOW that can help victims begin the healing process, help law enforcement prosecute criminals and most importantly, keep kids safe. That is why we are asking that you: -- make public on the diocese website and in the media the names of all credibly accused priests who work or have worked on Guam, -- turn over secret documents that outline abuse allegations and actions taken (if any) by church officials, and -- make public all information about abuse on Guam disclosed to officials in other dioceses. If these requests seem familiar, that is because they are. We asked you these same things last year, after we discovered at least one predator living on island, found out another was being quietly laicized, and publicized a third former Guam cleric who was arrested for child molestation in Hawaii. We fear there are more. The time for hiding perpetrators and valuable evidence has ended. Guam's lawmakers, like other lawmakers around the country, understand that your first priority should be transparency. No child should be sacrificed in order to protect a perpetrator, ever We look forward to your immediate response. Sincerely, Joelle Casteix SNAP Western Regional Director (949) 322-7434 Barb Dorris SNAP Outreach Director (315) 503-0003
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