Ex-altar boy accuses Guam archbishop of molestation

Archbishop Anthony Apuron. AGANAARCH.COM

SAN FRANCISCO – A resident of Agana, Guam, accused the leader of his archdiocese of sexually abusing him when he was a 12-year-old altar boy 40 years ago.

Roy Taitague Quintanilla, 52, accused Archbishop Anthony Apuron of molestation, reading a letter addressed to the church leader before news media in front of the Archdiocese of Hagåtña Chancery Office in Agana Heights on Tuesday, May 17.

Quintanilla alleged that the molestation occurred when he was an altar boy at Mount Carmel Church in Agat where the archbishop was the parish priest, according to a report by the Guam Daily Post.

The abuse began after a trip to the movies with all the altar boys of the parish, alleged Quintanilla. After all the other boys were dropped off at their homes, the archbishop allegedly asked him to sleep at his house.

The archbishop allegedly told to sleep Quintanilla to sleep in the same room with him and then grabbed his private parts.

He he didn’t sleep that night and was too afraid to move because he thought Apuron would do more things to him. He said he curled up and cried, and “never stopped crying.” Quintanilla said he is not sure Apuron remembers him.

Quintanilla demanded a public apology and the archbishop’s resignation from his post. Accompanied by family members, he delivered the letter to the Chancery Office. He also asked other victims to step forward.

The Archdiocese of Agana released a statement, saying that “proper steps have been initiated” in light of the allegations and that “In the spirit of commitment set by Pope Francis, the Archdiocese of Agana affirms its commitment to upholding its Sexual Misconduct and Harassment Policy.”