A person from Guam, who requested anonymity, said he had contacted SNAP because sexual abuse in the church has been tolerated on island for too long and it was time something was done about it.
“What prompted me to contact them was my meeting with two individuals in California, who were molested in the Cathedral Basilica, which warranted the attention of SNAP. They have been the longest and the strongest in terms of getting this out,” the individual told Variety.
The Archdiocese of Agana did not return phone calls on Wednesday.
In a letter sent to the archbishop, Joelle Casteix of Newport Beach, Ca., South West regional director of SNAP, said SNAP has been contacted by clergy sex abuse victims on Guam who have asked for their help.
“They are looking for support in their community and accountability from church leadership. Asking for complete transparency and starting confidential support meetings is the logical first step,” she said.
“We believe that it is now your job as the top official of the Catholic population of Guam to make effective steps to stop sexual abuse, expose predators, and help survivors begin a path of healing,” Casteix wrote to Apuron. “It has been eight years, and we believe it is now time.”
