Apuron accused of molestation

By Jacqueline Perry Guzman
Guam Daily Post
May 17, 2016

http://www.postguam.com/news/local/apuron-accused-of-molestation/article_1d5c7ca8-1bdb-11e6-995e-f71fcba2b44a.html

Roy Quintanilla, center, addresses the family, supporters and the media as he accuses Archbishop Anthony Apuron of molesting him 40 years ago, when he was a 12-year-old altar server. Attorney David Lujan stands to the right of Quintanilla in the driveway of the chancery in Agana Heights on Tuesday, May 17. Photo by Matt Weiss

A man has come forward and publicly accused Archbishop Anthony Apuron of molesting him 40 years ago, when he was a 12-year-old altar boy.

Roy Taitague Quintanilla gathered with family members and friends and read a letter addressed to the archbishop to members of the media just below the Archdiocese of Hagåtña Chancery Office in Agana Heights on Tuesday, May 17.

Quintanilla, 52, alleged the archbishop molested him while he was an altar server at Mount Carmel Church in Agat when the archbishop served as the parish priest.

The letter details the incident beginning with a trip to the movies with all the altar boys of the parish and then each of them being dropped off at their home. “I was the last of the altar boys in the van. I thought you were going to take me home like the others, but instead, you asked if I could sleep at your house,” he said, reading the letter.

He alleged that at the archbishop's house, he was told to sleep in the same room as Apuron and that Apuron grabbed his private parts.

He said after the alleged incident, he didn’t sleep that night and was too afraid to move because he thought Apuron would do more things to him. He said he curled up and cried, and “Never stopped crying.”

Quintanilla said he is not sure Apuron remembers him.

He said he wishes for closure, a public apology, acknowledgment and for the archbishop to step down from his position.

Quintanilla also said he hopes other alleged victims will come forward.

Quintanilla was joined by his sister Josephine Redmond, his brother Anthony Quintanilla and his niece Sharlene Santos Bamba. The family members spoke on Roy Quintanilla's behalf and offered their support.

After reading the letter, Roy Quintanilla delivered it to the Chancery Office.

Archdiocese statement

The Archdiocese of Agana released the following statement at 5:05 p.m. on Tuesday:

"In the spirit of commitment set by Pope Francis, the Archdiocese of Agana affirms its commitment to upholding its Sexual Misconduct and Harassment Policy, and assures the Faithful that in light if the recent allegations of sexual abuse by Roy Quintanilla, dating back 40 years ago to Our Lady of Mount Carmel parish in Agat, that proper steps have been initiated, as outlined and guided by our policy. Deacon Larry Claros, the Sexual Abuse Response Coordinator, has been informed and is coordinating a response, which includes convening the Archdiocesan Review Board."