California man accusing archbishop of molestation

GUAM
KUAM

by Jolene Toves

Guam – A California man who is accusing the head of the island’s catholic church of sexual molestation is welcoming a defamation lawsuit. John Toves not only stands by his accusations but will be in Guam in the next 24 hours to confront the archbishop in person.

It was on Friday, Archbishop Anthony Apuron issued an exclusive statement to KUAM News, regarding recent allegations accusing him of sexual misconduct. “It is a horrible calumny, and I am obliged to defend not my person, but the Church. On the advice of legal counsel, I will not answer any questions. However, defending the church compels me to file a suit for defamation; any damages that I receive I will not keep for myself, but will be given to the charitable causes of our Church,” he said.

John Toves said in response, “I welcome that. I invite him to and I look very much forward to it. So I hope he will manage to follow through. And do opposite of everything all of his assistants have been unable to do is basic follow through on every level. So dear archbishop, please follow through.”

The accusations were first made on Isla63-AM radio a couple of weeks ago. Toves, a former Guam resident called into The Buzz with Jess Lujan, he accused the archbishop of sexually molesting his relative in the 1980’s. In a complaint Toves filed with the archdiocese he alleged the sexual misconduct occurred when he and his relative were attending minor seminary at Tai. He alleges the archbishop was a priest at the time. Toves will be in Guam as early as Tuesday evening. He once again spoke with Lujan on Isla63-AM Monday morning.

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