GUAM
KUAM
[with video]
By Krystal Paco
Is it just a coincidence? Over the weekend, Pope Francis laid down the law when it comes to Catholic bishops who turn a blind eye to child sex abuse allegations. His announcement comes amid an alleged sex abuse scandal here on Guam involving the head of the island’s Catholic church.
Last week former Archdiocese of Agana sexual abuse response coordinator Deacon Steve Martinez called out Archbishop Anthony Apuron – that Apuron purposely kept church policies weak in order to protect himself. Martinez’s allegations follow lack of action from Apuron in the midst of being accused of molesting two Agat altar boys decades ago. “Some people question why is Rome doing nothing? My comment to that is we don’t know if Rome’s doing nothing,” Martinez said in last week’s press conference. “All I can do from my point is hope and pray we can find a quick resolution to the problems we have.”
And it appears Martinez’s prayers were answered. Over the weekend, Pope Francis laid down the law in the Motu Proprio – that Catholic bishops guilty of negligence in sex abuse cases, especially sex abuse against minors, constitutes as a “grave reason” to remove a bishop from office. The new law follows longstanding demands by survivors of abuse that blame bishops for shuffling alleged pedophile priests rather than reporting them to police.
In an e-mailed response to KUAM News, Martinez believes the pope’s actions aren’t coincidental to what’s happening here on Guam. “I believe his message is in response to the many prayers and letters the people of Guam have been sending to Rome,” he wrote. “While the pope’s letter addresses the issue of bishops who mismanage sex abuse claims, it would logically and naturally extend to bishops who are also accused of sexual abuse themselves, since they have the same responsibility to apply the established policies, regardless of who the accused happens to be.”
He further adds that he continues to be disappointed in the chancery whose complete lack of respect and care for the accused is most devastating. Fortunately, those victims can find comfort in Pope Francis, who has become a champion of the helpless and abused.
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