Toves Denied a 2nd Time to Meet with Archbishop

By Janela Carrera
Pacific News Center
December 6, 2014

http://www.pacificnewscenter.com/guam/item/1129-toves-denied-a-2nd-time-to-meet-with-archbishop


John Toves is denied a second time a meeting with Archbishop Anthony Apuron.

Guam - John Toves is on his second day of demanding to see Archbishop Anthony Apuron.

After being denied a meeting yesterday, Toves returned to the Chancery Office today to confront the Archbishop on allegations that he sexually molested his relative. But he was met once again by Chancellor Father Adrian Cristobal. It was clearly a tense confrontation for both as Toves demanded answers.

"Adrian Cristobal says that the attorney will call me to get in through an open door policy to get an appointment set to see the archbishop," Toves told PNC inside the Chancery Office. "Oould you like to add to that?" Toves motioned Cristobal.

"I think our meeting is pretty much done," Cristobal directed at Toves.

The exchange continued as Toves demanded to find out why the Archbishop's attorney must contact him when a lawsuit has yet to be filed against him and Toves is a member of the general public. Cristobal did not respond to the question and simply told Toves that the Archbishop's attorney would be in contact with him.

Father Adrian told PNC that Archbishop Apuron has been advised by his attorney not to meet with Toves and that the Archbishop still intends to file a lawsuit for defamation. PNC then sought clarification on the Archdiocese’s sexual abuse policy.

PNC: "Does the accuser need to be the actual victim or can it be a 3rd party. What’s the policy on who the accuser has to be?"

Cristobal: "The way the wording is said is that the accusation is presumed to be the victim."

PNC: "It has to be the actual victim making the accusation?"

Cristobal: "That’s the presumption that we have on the policy. That’s the presumption that we’re working on."

PNC: "Working on? Meaning?"

Cristobal: "I mean that’s the presumption that it operates on."

PNC reiterated its question: "So it has to be the actual victim?"

Cristobal: "Yes, it should be. By all means, especially with substantive facts."

Late this afternoon the Archdiocese issued a statement noting that the review board on sexual misconduct had determined that an investigation cannot be conducted based on a third-party complaint.

Read the Archdiocese's full statement on the matter BELOW:

(Archdiocese of Agana) - On December 2, 2014, the Archdiocese of Agana Review Board on the Policy on Sexual Misconduct convened to consider the complaint of sexual misconduct brought by John C. Toves against Archbishop Anthony Sablan Apuron. The Review Board is made up of professionals in the field of psychology and social work, who are designated to give advice and counsel relating to sexual misconduct matters. Deacon Larry Claros, the Archdiocesan Sexual Abuse Reponse Cooridnator, does not take part in the determinations of the Review Board, nor does he participate in the appointment of the members of the Review Board.

Upon consideration of the information provided by Mr. Toves, the Review Board determined that an investigation under the Policy on Sexual Misconduct cannot be conducted based on the third-party complaint received. The Archdiocese of Agana takes the matter of reported sexual abuse very seriously and considers such reports to be of a grave matter that warrants immediate and proper attention pursuant to the Policy on Sexual Misconduct. Any victim who reports sexual misconduct can be confident that the Archdiocese of Agana is committed to helping victims, pursuant to our policy.