GUAM
Toronto Star
By Associated Press
Sat., June 4, 2016
HAGATNA, GUAM—The Archdiocese of Agana is working with a law firm as well as an independent investigator after Archbishop Anthony Apuron was accused of decades-old sexual abuse.
Deacon Steve Martinez said last week that the archbishop — the highest leader of the Catholic Church in Guam — was protecting himself and intentionally kept the archdiocese’s sexual abuse policy weak, the Pacific Daily News reported.
A Friday statement from the archdiocese called Martinez’s accusation false.
“We are working with one of the most prominent U.S. legal firms to address these issues and with an independent investigator to inquire about this allegation and these rumours,” the statement said. “These intentional lies oblige the Archbishop to take appropriate and immediate canonical measures in regard to Stephen Martinez.”
The statement does not address Martinez by his title of deacon, and it’s unclear whether the law firm or investigator will probe the statements of abuse.
Apuron denies the abuse allegations and is not charged with any crime.
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