Group: Archbishop Apuron should resign

By Jasmine Stole
Pacific Daily News
May 17, 2016

http://www.guampdn.com/story/news/2016/05/17/snap-apuron-should-resign/84477864/

Joelle Casteix

The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) is calling for the resignation of Archbishop Anthony Apuron following a public accusation of sexual abuse made against him.

The Illinois-based group commended Roy Taitague Quintanilla for coming forward Tuesday and naming Apuron as the man who he said molested him as a 12-year-old altar boy serving at the local Catholic church in Agat.

Apuron hasn’t been charged with any crime, and no lawsuit has been filed.

Quintanilla said the abuse reportedly happened about 40 years ago when Apuron was a priest at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Agat.

Joelle Casteix, SNAP’s Western regional director, issued a statement about 20 minutes after Quintanilla’s story went public.

Like Quintanilla, SNAP in their statement called for Apuron to step down “immediately.”

“The time for Apuron’s petty threats and continued secrecy is over,” the statement said.

This is the first time a victim has come forward publicly accusing Apuron of sexual abuse, but according to Casteix, she has heard rumors of Apuron allegedly molesting others “for years.”

Because the group was not able to speak to a victim, SNAP had been cautious when it comes to allegations against Apuron, Casteix said.

Casteix has been speaking with abuse victims in Guam since at least 2010. She visited Guam six years ago in her official capacity as SNAP regional director, according to Pacific Daily News files.

During her visit, the group set up meetings at the Hilton Guam Resort & Spa and at the Hagåtña library for local victims to meet with others abused by priests and “help heal,” news files state.

While she did not meet with a person accusing Apuron of abuse then, Casteix said she did receive an anonymous phone call from someone who said he was a victim.

It takes tremendous courage for Quintanilla to speak out, Casteix said.

“Speaking out against a sitting archbishop is rare — and even dangerous,” she said.

SNAP now is in contact with the people in contact with Quintanilla, Casteix said.

They did not want to rush Quintanilla, who “is most likely going through a whirlwind of emotions,” but the group stands ready to help him and any other victim, Casteix said.

“By coming forward today, Roy has made Guam safer for children, exposed a horrific crime and decades-long cover-up, and began the journey towards healing, for himself and the Catholic community at large,” SNAP officials said in a statement.

Casteix said she’s spoken to “numerous” other people in Guam who said other priests, not just Apuron, had abused them.

In October 2009, Vice Speaker Benjamin Cruz said the archdiocese had not dealt with allegedly abusive priests, according to news files.

One priest, Raymond Cepeda, in 2009, had been removed from priesthood because of allegations of sexual abuse, news files state. When the Rev. John Wadeson, another priest accused of “credible” allegations of child abuse, was found to be assigned to the local archdiocese, Apuron removed him from active ministry, news files state.

In addition to calling for Apuron’s resignation, SNAP also appealed to the archdiocese to reach out to any other possible victims, asking to expose other crimes that may have been covered up.

The group encouraged Catholics to discuss sexual abuse with their children, and for those who suspect abuse or those who may have seen abuse to come forward and report it to law enforcement and civil authorities.