SNAP Issues Apology to Toves for Calling Allegations "Rumors"

By Janela Carrera
Pacific News Center
November 25, 2014

http://www.pacificnewscenter.com/guam/item/956-snap-issues-apology-to-toves-for-calling-allegations-rumors

Guam - In the latest development on the sex abuse allegations involving the Archbishop, SNAP has issued an apology to John Toves who accused Archbishop Anthony Apuron of molesting his relative. SNAP had initially called the allegations only rumors.

It’s the first time sex abuse allegations were ever made public against Archbishop Anthony Apuron and Toves says it’s a secret he’s held on to for nearly three decades. But Toves had had enough, which is why he’s decided that he’ll make the accusations on behalf of his relative instead.

Last week, Toves accused the Archbishop of molesting his relative back in the early 80s. At the time, he told PNC, Apuron was not yet an Archbishop, he was a rector. Toves says his relative was so traumatized by what happened that at one point he even attempted suicide.

Toves even says that while it’s the first time these allegations were made public, it’s no big secret. He says many seminarians will back his claim and that his relative even confided in another priest at the time.

But his allegations quickly unraveled as SNAP, or the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests seemed to counter Toves’ claims, calling allegations "only rumors." SNAP Western Regional Director Joelle Casteix did note in her interview with PNC last week that she considered them rumors but only because no alleged victim of the Archbishop has ever come forward.

Nevertheless, Casteix issued an apology to Toves saying she did not mean to suggest that Toves himself was spreading rumors.

“I want to apologize for the context of my comments in the recent PNC article,” she wrote. “I said that I had only heard rumors in 2010 of abuse. I also said that to date, no Apuron victim has come forward.”

In fact, Casteix says she applauds Toves for having the courage to stand up for victims.

“I did not mean to imply that you, John, were 'just spreading rumors,'" she further wrote. “In fact, I salute your bravery in standing up and demanding a response. Every victim wishes that they had someone like you to stand up for them, take huge risks, and demand answers.”

Toves’ complaints have been sent to the Archbishop, to Deacon Larry Claros, the Archdiocese’s Sexual Abuse Response Coordinator, and to the Vatican. Yesterday, Deacon Claros confirmed receipt of the complaint but said he could not comment on the matter since it is under advisement.

Archbishop Apuron has not yet responded to any requests for comment. However, chancellor Father Adrian Cristobal says he expects the Archbishop will issue a statement when he returns from his visit to Rome.