Transcript
A deceased priest Monsignor Jose Guerrero is the latest to be accused of sexual abuse - his victim was just nine years old when five years of alleged abuse began in 1969. Another complainant says he tried to report eight years of abuse by a priest in the 1990s to Archbishop Anthony Apuron in 1999. His lawyer David Lujan says the Archbishop's advice that prayer would help him get over it is not surprising, given accusations of abuse have also been made against him.
"Because the victim is reporting the abuse to another abuser, in fact the abuser in chief, Apuron, has been abusing young kids for a couple of decades already at that point."
At least 16 priests have now been accused of abuse and more than 130 people have filed law suits against the Catholic Church. While previous allegations have dated as far back as the 1950s, the latest claim of abuse in the 1990s is among the most recent. David Lujan says he has no doubt abuse in the Church has continued until the present day although young people may be reluctant to come forward.
"It's a different mindset now. Most of the younger people are just horrified of being exposed especially now with the internet. But I have no doubt that it's happening and one day someone is going to be brave enough to come forward and it will be a whole new series of abuse against younger priests."
But Guam Archdiocese communications director Tony Diaz says the church's policies have been strengthened under Archbishop Michael Byrnes, who was sent a year ago by Pope Francis to run the Archdiocese following Archbishop Apuron's suspension. He says they have adopted the US Bishop's Charter to protect children, introduced training for church employees and volunteers, and an outreach programme to encourage victims and others to come forward about suspected abuse. He says there are no guarantees, but they hope and pray there are no longer perpetrators within the church.
"I can't say with full confidence right. We seem to be on top of the situation. The Archbishop has regular meetings with the priests themselves. So we do not believe that there are clergymen right now who have abused.
Deacon Steve Martinez, a former sexual abuse response coordinator for the Church who previously criticised it's "weak" handling of allegations, says it's alarming to see fresh lawsuits being filed almost every week - and other cases from the 1990s may emerge. But he agrees progress is being made by the church, and abuse is less likely to be occurring now.
"Until everybody who has been a victim comes forward we won't know if there are perpetrators still out there in active ministry but if there are I think there is awareness now of the signs of improper behaviour and so if there are perpetrators I think they are going to be revealed."
Despite that Steve Martinez says there is still a tendency not to speak out about abuse in some cases. Tony Diaz from the Archdiocese says they are working hard to change a culture of silence.
"Clearly this number of allegations, you don't get this number without people knowing. Even if you even have the inkling or suspicion no matter what you must step forward no matter what."
Tony Diaz says a recent allegation has been made against a layperson, a teacher in a Catholic School which will be heard in the criminal court.
