GUAM
Pacific News Center
Written by Janela Carrera
SNAP says no victims have come forward with sex allegations against Archbishop Anthony Apuron.
Guam – SNAP or the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests says claims that Archbishop Anthony Apuron molested boys are just rumors. Western Regional Director Joelle Casteix says she’s heard these rumors herself when she visited Guam, but no alleged victim has ever come forward.
“All that SNAP knew was that there were rumors,” says Casteix.
Casteix visited Guam in 2010. While here, she heard from many sexual abuse victims. Many of them accused priests on Guam of molesting them. But none of those victims ever accused Archbishop Anthony Apuron of any form of sexual abuse.
“We have never been able to speak to an alleged victim of the Archbishop,” Casteix says.
Casteix is responding to inquiries made by PNC after allegations surfaced against the Archbishop. Specifically, John Toves came forward claiming his relative was molested by Archbishop Apuron in the 1980s. Toves says his relative has never come forward because he fell into a reclusive state and at one point attempted suicide. While Toves’ allegations on behalf of his relative may or may not be true, Casteix says SNAP does not act on rumors. But, she points out, that neither confirms nor denies the validity of the claims.
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