Accuser Denied Access to Apuron

Pacific Daily News
December 4, 2014

http://www.guampdn.com/article/20141206/NEWS01/312060004

Toves

The Archdiocese of Agana's second-highest official yesterday warned Archbishop Anthony Apuron's public accuser that any further attempt to approach the archbishop "will be responded to appropriately and in accordance with law."

John Toves has made numerous public allegations in recent weeks that a relative of his, a former high school co-seminarian of Toves on Guam, was allegedly sexually molested by Apuron when they were both altar boys three decades ago. Toves further alleged Apuron was a priest at the time.

The 50-year-old Toves went to the archdiocese's Chancery office yesterday, the second time he did so in two days, in an attempt to confront the archbishop and urge Apuron to step down.

Monsignor David Quitugua, who, as vicar general, is the archdiocese's second-highest official, wrote to Toves yesterday that Toves' request to meet with the archbishop has been denied.

The archbishop "has publicly addressed the issues you have raised, and the archdiocese has determined how it will address this matter pursuant to its established internal policies," Quitugua wrote to Toves. The archdiocese released the letter to local media.

"For the last two days, you have appeared at the Chancery requesting an appointment, and you have brought the media with you on each occasion. Your efforts are not only disruptive to our daily operations, but serve no legitimate purpose, religious or otherwise," Quitugua wrote.

"Therefore, you are hereby notified that any demands for an appointment or attempts to, in your own words, 'confront' the archbishop on Chancery grounds or elsewhere, will be responded to appropriately and in accordance with law," Quitugua added.

Toves has said he welcomes legal action on the issue because it will force archdiocesan files open for public review and for witnesses to be summoned.

On Thursday, the archdiocese did allow Toves to meet briefly with Deacon Larry Claros, who was recently appointed as the church's sexual abuse response coordinator.

Apuron

After their meeting Thursday morning, Claros told reporters outside the Chancery office that the archbishop is innocent "for sure" and that an archdiocesan Review Board had determined an investigation wasn't launched.

Hours after Claros' interview, the archdiocese issued a written statement clarifying that, pursuant to church policy, "the matter is still currently under review."

Another statement from the archdiocese yesterday distanced Claros from the Review Board, which, it turned out, has reached a conclusion.

Claros has no say on the Review Board, or the selection of its members, according to the archdiocese. Professionals in psychology and social work are members of the Review Board, the archdiocese stated.

The Review Board determined that an investigation based on the church's sexual misconduct policy "cannot be conducted based on third-party complaint received," according to the archdiocese statement yesterday.

If a victim does report sexual misconduct, he or she "can be confident that the Archdiocese of Agana is committed to helping victims, pursuant to our policy," states the archdiocese statement yesterday.

Apuron has called the allegation a "horrible calumny" but declined to further respond to the allegation on the advice of his attorney because he's planning a defamation lawsuit to defend the church.

The 50-year-old Toves recently returned to the island from San Francisco, where he works as a fitness center manager, to urge Apuron to step down.

Toves said his relative had an emotional breakdown when both of them were at a college seminary in Los Altos, California, and wouldn't step forward to raise the allegation personally against Apuron.

Claros said Toves needs to report his allegation to civil authorities.

Toves said his cousin has refused to speak up about the alleged abuse because he was traumatized.