Priest resigns following arrest

By Steve Limtiaco
Pacific Daily News
March 18, 2015

http://www.guampdn.com/article/20150318/NEWS01/150318004/Priest-resigns-following-arrest-

The priest in charge of the Merizo and Umatac Catholic churches has resigned after being arrested by Guam police Tuesday, according to the Archdiocese of Agana.

In a written statement, the archdiocese announced that Archbishop Anthony Apuron has accepted the resignation of Rev. Father Luis Camacho as pastor of the San Dimas, Malesso and San Dionisio, Umatac, parishes, effective immediately.

According to the archdiocese, the Guam Police Department provided information that Camacho was booked and released Tuesday on allegations of custodial interference.

That specific crime is listed under the section of Guam law under “kidnapping and related offenses.”

Guam law states a person is guilty of custodial interference if: they take or entice a relative under the age of 18 from lawful custody and cause serious bodily injury to that person; they take or entice a person under the age of 18 or an incompetent person from their lawful custodian, knowing they have no right to do so; they are the parent of a child and violate a court order related to child custody and attempt to conceal the child.

According to the written statement, the archdiocese has started a canonical investigation and is fully cooperating with civil authorities.

Camacho’s faculties also have been restricted, according to the archdiocese. That is related to his ability to perform Catholic sacraments.

Rev. Father Julius Akinyemi has been assigned as parochial administrator of the two parishes, according to the archdiocese.