GUAM
Jungle Watch
Dear Diana,
I understand that you are saying that SNAP “investigated” Archbishop Apuron and he was found to be “okay.”
A few facts, Diana:
* First, SNAP doesn’t do investigations.
* Second, SNAP wasn’t on Guam (in 2010) to investigate anyone, but to provide a forum for victims of clerical sex abuse to come forward.
* Third, SNAP went away empty handed for two reasons: 1) Me, and 2) the victim(s) no longer live on Guam.
Diana, let me help you out. But first, thank you for the opportunity to let the whole world know more about Archbishop Apuron. You are good at that. (Are you sure you aren’t Adrian?)
A representative of SNAP (Joelle Casteix) came to Guam in 2010, probably at the invitation of someone connected to the support of two bills introduced by Vice Speaker B.J. Cruz. One bill would identify the Archbishop of Agana as a “mandated reporter” – meaning he could face criminal penalties if he did not report sex abuse, and a second bill which would lift the statute of limitations on sex crimes against minors for two years.
Diana, I know that’s a lot of heavy duty information for you to process, so go back and read it again. I understand how difficult it is for you to digest actual facts. So read it again. I’ll wait.
zzzzzz…
Okay, ready?
Good. We go on.
Senator Cruz had proposed both bills in retaliation to the Archbishop’s perceived attack on him after his backing of two same-sex union bills. Of course, as we both know, Apuron didn’t write a word of any statement about the bills, but his name was on them – one of which infamously inferred that homosexuals should be beheaded. Ouch! (Google it.)
At the time, I was the Archbishop’s lone public defender and was in the media almost daily doing battle with Senator Cruz. When Ms. Casteix showed up, I publicly hounded her. I was so sure that the Archbishop and the archdiocese had nothing to hide that I was willing to stick my neck out in the press almost daily. I should have noticed that NO ONE ELSE WAS!
Now, let me tell you what happened.
Are you listening, Diana?
In April of 2010, while Casteix was on-island, attempting to get victims to come forward, I was called to the chancery by the archbishop’s legal counsel. I walked into the chancery conference room and there were several important people seated at the table along with the legal counsel. I knew them all and can name them if need be.
I was given a letter by the legal counsel and asked to read it. It was a statement intended to discredit Casteix and get her to go away. Unbeknownst to me at the time, the archbishop’s people were very much afraid of what would happen if the statute of limitations were lifted and Casteix was able to get someone to talk.
I was asked to take the letter to the media.
After reading the letter I put it down and looked up at the others. I then asked a question that sent shock through the room:
WHY ARE WE DOING THIS? WHAT DO WE HAVE TO HIDE? LET’S CALL HER BLUFF AND TELL HER TO INVESTIGATE.
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