GUAM
KUAM
Updated: Feb 06, 2017
By Krystal Paco
We can expect to see some movement in the lawsuits against the Archdiocese of Agana this week. We can also expect a 16th victim to file suit against the church for more allegations of child molestation.
Come Tuesday, attorney David Lujan says he’ll be motioning to dismiss all 15 cases of child sex abuse he’s filed to date against the Archdiocese of Agana. “I am dismissing everything tomorrow in superior court,” he promised. That’s because by Tuesday, he would’ve completely filed the same 15 cases at the District Court of Guam.
As we’ve reported, each of the judges at the Superior Court of Guam has disqualified themselves from the hearing the case due to conflicts. In addition, the suit is not just against the local Church, but also against the Vatican. Each of the plaintiffs is seeking $5 million in damages for alleged child molestation that occurred decades ago by the hands of church clergy.
Among this week’s filings, there will also be a 16th victim to file suit. That complaint, Lujan says, will be public later this week. “We’ll be filing that Wednesday or Thursday,” he said.
Among the clergy accused of sexually molesting altar boys is Archbishop Anthony Apuron, who faces a canonical trial in Rome. Lujan confirms with KUAM a priest from Boston College approached three of his clients for their depositions. Lujan says the request was made directly to his clients, not through him.
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