By Michael Rudolph
Guam News Watch
April 22, 2010
http://guamnewswatch.com/201004221815/Local-News/Archbishop-Apuron-knew-of-alleged-abuse-since-2004.html
GUAM – Deacon Jeff Barcinas told Guam News Watch that the first instances of credible allegations of sexual abuse against Father Raymond Cepeda were brought to the attention of Archbishop Anthony Apuron in 2004 before it was reported to Rome for the formal investigation.
The formal investigation took almost five years to completely remove Cepeda from the church in December of 2009.
Deacon Barcinas goes into further detail during our interview:
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"The alleged incident took place did happen here on Guam...Father Ray Cepeda was...we received the information from Rome in December of 2009 then the Archbishop took the process forward not only removing father Ray from his ministry with the parish but also away from other victims affected by his presence."
When we asked Barcinas if there has been any known abuse by lay people in trusted positions within the church, Barcinas provided this response:
"There has been cases that have occurred in the schools. The Catholic schools. The principles have taken it upon themselves to reported immediately to the authorities here on Guam which includes the Guam Police and child protective services and actions have been done to remove those individuals from the whatever positions they hold within the Archdioceses and those have been dealt with appropriately with the respective administration in the agencies or the schools where the incidents occurred."
Barcinas revealed disturbing information about the abuse that exists within the Archdiocese of Guam and its Catholic Schools.
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