GUAM
Pacific Daily News
Maria Hernandez, mohernande@guampdn.com May 22, 2016
In the midst of recent allegations of sexual abuse made by former Guam resident Roy Taitague Quintanilla against Archbishop Anthony Apuron, residents and a church official have shared their opinions on the developments.
Quintanilla, 52, spoke publicly at a press conference on Tuesday about abuse he allegedly suffered at the hands of Apuron 40 years ago when he was an altar boy. Quintanilla said he was a 12-year-old altar server for Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Parish, in Agat, when the alleged abuse took place.
Apuron was the pastor of the parish at the time, Quintanilla said. He said the archbishop touched his private areas through his pants.
“I was trying my best to push your hand away; it was painful,” he said as he read aloud a letter addressed to Apuron at the press conference.
Deacon Elias “Itoy” Ruda of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, in Toto, said he doesn’t really know how to feel about the allegations.
“I’m just surprised. I’m just praying,” he said.
The news, he said, whether true or false, will possibly bring a divide in the church.
“My opinion is maybe the archdiocese is going to be divided into groups of people, but it’s better to stay strong in faith,” he said.
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