SNAP Says Archbishop Sex Abuse Allegations Only Rumors

By Janela Carrera
Pacific News Center
November 21, 2014

http://www.pacificnewscenter.com/guam/item/911-snap-says-archbishop-sex-abuse-allegations-only-rumors


SNAP says no victims have come forward with sex allegations against Archbishop Anthony Apuron.

Guam - SNAP or the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests says claims that Archbishop Anthony Apuron molested boys are just rumors. Western Regional Director Joelle Casteix says she’s heard these rumors herself when she visited Guam, but no alleged victim has ever come forward.

"All that SNAP knew was that there were rumors," says Casteix.

Casteix visited Guam in 2010. While here, she heard from many sexual abuse victims. Many of them accused priests on Guam of molesting them. But none of those victims ever accused Archbishop Anthony Apuron of any form of sexual abuse.

"We have never been able to speak to an alleged victim of the Archbishop," Casteix says.

Casteix is responding to inquiries made by PNC after allegations surfaced against the Archbishop. Specifically, John Toves came forward claiming his relative was molested by Archbishop Apuron in the 1980s. Toves says his relative has never come forward because he fell into a reclusive state and at one point attempted suicide. While Toves’ allegations on behalf of his relative may or may not be true, Casteix says SNAP does not act on rumors. But, she points out, that neither confirms nor denies the validity of the claims.

"And so that’s why we never said anything about it because we will only act when a victim comes forward. We’ve been hearing rumors for the past 4 years, I came to Guam in 2010. I’ve been hearing rumors ever since then--steadily--that there were alleged victims of sex abuse by Archbishop Apuron but none of them have yet to come forward," she explains.

SNAP is a support group for victims of sexual abuse committed by priests. Casteix explains that typically, when one victim comes forward, others are inspired to do so as well.

"When this kind of public discussion begins and people start to show support for victims it’s more likely that a victim will come forward. It’s very similar to what happened with Bill Cosby in the past week. It wasn’t until the first victim came forward that other victims finally felt safe enough to do the same thing," she notes.

Casteix encourages anyone who may have been victimized by a priest on Guam to report it right away.

"So it’s our hope that if there is a victim out there, that victim or victims feel safe enough to come forward and get help and to expose the people," she says.

SNAP also has a 24-hour confidential hotline for victims. The number to call is 1-877-SNAP-HEALS.

Calls to Archbishop Apuron for comment have not been returned as of news time.