Canonical investigation launched into allegations against priest

GUAM
KUAM

By Jolene Toves

More information has been discovered regarding allegations against Father Luis Camacho have surfaced, as a report alleging the priest had sexual contact with a minor was filed with the Archdiocese of Agana and Child Protective Services.

News that a priest may have had sexual relations with a teenage girl has members of Guam’s Catholic community in shock and asking for prayer. It was last week KUAM News first brought you the story about the arrest of Father Luis Camacho, who was the pastor for the San Dimas and San Dionisio Churches. The priest was arrested on allegations of custodial interference. Police found Fr. Luis and a 17-year-old girl in a parked car at Agat Beach. The girl was supposed to be in school.

It wasn’t until a report was filed with Child Protective Services and Archbishop Anthony Apuron that it became apparent there was more to the story. The person that filed the report was Deacon Stephen Martinez, who said he was obligated to filed the report by the archdiocese’s policy on sexual misconduct and Guam law. Deacon Martinez said he was provided information about the incident by someone familiar with what happened. “So because I believed that what they had to say was likely correct information, I had to report it, and then it is up to the investigator to go through the process and determine what the true facts are on the situation,” he explained.

Deacon Martinez alleges in his report that Fr. Luis illegally transported the 17-year-old girl from her school without her parent’s permission. He went on to state that Fr. Luis had the minor hide as they drove away from the school. “He then drove minor child to subway and then to a remote beach in Agat and had sexual contact with her”.

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