Vatican steps in amid Guam sex abuse probe: replaces archbishop

 

Guam: A Vatican administrator has been appointed on Monday to take over as the new Catholic archbishop of Guam, amid investigation into allegations of sexual abuse of young boys years ago by the out going bishop Anthony Apuron, in what the out going archbishop says he is the victim of a campaign to oust him and says he welcomed the appointment.

Archbishop Apuron in a video shot in St Peter's Square, addressed himself to his followers in the Pacific US region, insisting he still their archbishop and was a "victim of these horrible calumnies".
On Monday, Pope Francis named a high-ranking Vatican official to take over the Agana archdiocese after abuse allegations against Apuron reemerged in recent weeks.
A church deacon Stephen Martinez had publicly accused Apuron of keeping the archdiocese's sex abuse policy frail to save himself.
Apuron accused the deacon, of being part of a plot to remove him over an embittered real estate deal.
The archdiocese on Tuesday, posted on its website a decree Apuron signed on the night of his demotion stating that an association of Catholics who have been critical of his leadership "prohibited".
The decree says the faithful should eschew from associating with it.
The group Concerned Catholics of Guam has featured Apuron's accuser on its website and says its mission is to be a forum for complaints, a support centre for sex abuse victims, and an advocate for transparency in church finances.