GUAM
Guam Daily Post
February 2, 2018
Concerns of clergy sex abuse have spread to the Federated States of Micronesia, which includes the island states of Chuuk, Pohnpei, Yap and Kosrae. The recent publication of a list of Jesuits against whom “credible” allegations were filed was followed shortly by a call from a local attorney with ties to the FSM for survivors.
Earlier this month, the Jesuits USA Northeast Province listed 50 priests, four of whom served in the FSM, who have one or more credible allegations of abuse of a minor after 1950. According to the list, “an allegation is deemed ‘credible’ if there is a “preponderance of evidence that the allegation is more likely true than not after investigation.”
• Father John Doolan: He worked at Xavier High School in Chuuk from 1957 to 1960 and served at the church in Chuuk from 1965 to 1973. He was removed from ministry in 2006 and died two years later. He admitted to “abuse of minors” in the 1960s and 1970s. Documents state that abuse was reported in 1999 but don’t specify how many allegations were lodged against him.
• Father John Garvey: He taught at an unspecified educational institution in Chuuk from 1968 to 1971, worked in Pohnpei from 1974 to 1977, and worked in Kitti Island in Pohnpei from 1977 to 1978. He died in 2011. The accusations of “abuse of minor” from 1978 to 1979 were found to be credible after investigation. The allegation was reported in 2013.
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