Archbishop's Accuser John Toves Returns to Guam
By Sabrina Salas Matanane
Former Guam resident John Toves is back on island. Toves was the first person to come forward making allegations of sex abuse against Archbishop Anthony Apuron. In 2014 he arrived on island accusing the Archbishop of abusing his cousin when he was a seminarian. His relative however never came forward and the allegation was never investigated. Toves attended a mass held on Thursday by the Apostolic Administrator Archbishop Savio Tai Fai Hon. The Archbishop was appointed by the Pope sede plena to take temporary control of the Archdiocese of Agana. During his homily the Archbishop outlined his task assigned by the Pope while here on Guam. He told those in attendance at St. Anthony Church in Tamuning that Archbishop Apuron keeps his title but he will not make any decisions about the diocese and should cooperate in total serene and fulfillment of the Apostolic Administrators mandate. He also explained that when an Apostolic Administrator is appointed “sede plena” it means that the Holy Father and a particular diocesan bishop have decided together that for whatever reason is no longer available or fit for the function and will take leave. The diocesan bishop is then relieved of pastoral responsibility and all administrative authority of their Church. The Pope then takes over the church and appoints an Apostolic Administrator to act on his behalf. In an interview with KUAM’s Krystal Paco, Toves said everyone is speaking politely now, and that’s understandable. “I personally appreciated the message delivered by our Apostolic Administrator. He was very gracious. He was very holy. I felt very touched. I still stay to a degree cynical because whenever you come in and outline your plan then the expectation is to realize that. So I do pray that all the faithful on the island do give them the opportunity but within reason and I do call on the people of the island to understand, yes, Rome has stepped in but be ready to stand up again if need be,” Toves said. “To Apuron, I would say I feel very sorry for you. I hope you find peace in your own self for all that you have done to many people. I hope you never come back to the island. I hope you apologize and show sincere remorse to all the people you’ve hurt and my mother probably wouldn’t have me say more than that,” Toves added. Archbishop Apuron has vehemently denied all allegations of sexual abuse.
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