Archdiocese responds to sex abuse accusations against Apuron

By Kyle Daly
Pacific Daily News
May 17, 2016

http://www.guampdn.com/story/news/2016/05/17/archdiocese-responds-allegations-sexual-abuse-archbishop/84478854/

Archbishop Anthony Sablan Apuron delivers his opening prayer during Palm Sunday Mass at the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica in Hagåtña on March 20. Photo by Frank San

The Archdiocese of Agana on Tuesday evening issued a statement saying the local church’s sexual abuse response coordinator “has been informed and is coordinating a response” to allegations that Archbishop Anthony Apuron sexually abused a 12-year-old altar boy about 40 years ago.

The archdiocese's statement said that in light of the allegations, “proper steps have been initiated” as outlined by the archdiocese’s sexual misconduct and harassment policy.

“Deacon Larry Claros, the Sexual Abuse Response Coordinator has been informed and is coordinating a response, which includes convening the Archdiocesan Review Board,” the statement says.

Tuesday morning, a 52-year-old man, Roy Taitague Quintanilla, of Hawaii, told members of the media that Apuron sexually abused him when he was 12 years old.

Quintanilla said he was an altar server for Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish in Agat when the abuse took place.

Quintanilla read a letter to the media Tuesday that he said he intended to deliver to the archbishop. The letter described the alleged incident.