Transcript
A bill lifting the statute of limitations on civil action in sex abuse cases was unanimously approved by the Guam Legislature last week. But the Catholic Church has now launched a petition calling on Governor Eddie Calvo to veto the legislation. Five historical abuse allegations have been made against the clergy in the past few months, and abuse experts say there are likely to be other victims who are yet to come forward. In a post on the Pacific Daily News website Father Jeff San Nicholas says the resulting lawsuits would leave it in financial ruins
"The Archdiocese of Agana is not seeking to protect child sexual abusers. It simply desires the people of God to be well-informed about the true effects of Bill 326-33. Bankruptcy of the local church would be inevitable."
Father San Nicholas says that would leave the diocese scrambling to keep open churches, schools and social services. However, the secretary of the Concerned Catholics of Guam Evangeline Lujan is questioning the accuracy of that claim.
"Social services, a majority is paid by federal funds and is not impacted by any of this. The funding comes from an outside source as well as private donations. And Catholic schools are run by other finances, they get very little support from the Archdiocese."
Evangeline Lujan is also critical of the church's motives - accusing it of putting financial stability before the need of abuse victims to heal. She says it's unfair to tell parents and children their schools may close, but is wary of the influence the church wields.
"Culturally we respect the authority of the Church, the Church is a very important part of who we are as Chamorros and when they are talking about losing these entities it impacts people. And that's why we are in the situation we are in to begin with, it's ironic they're using the same tools of threats to get their way."
Governor Eddie Calvo has until Friday to sign the bill, and Evangeline Lujan says she hopes he'll take the opportunity to support abuse survivors and clean up the church. But Archbishop Savio Hon Fai Tai has also spoken out about the threat the bill poses, warning similar legislation in other US states has resulted in bankrupty for 13 dioceses. In Hawaii, a four year window for childhood sexual abuse survivors to bring civil claims concluded in April. Mark Gallagher, a lawyer who represented many claimants in Hawaii, believes it was beneficial for the Church there.
"One of the surprising things that I've found in handling these cases is the number of people who are active Catholics who think that it's a good thing, that the Church has been held to account, and held to the standards that it teaches. So I think it's a question of sunshine is the best disinfectant."
About 150 claims were brought during the four year window in Hawaii, the majority of which were against the Catholic Church. Mark Gallagher estimates the settlements have cost the Church more than 20 million dollars which has been paid for through insurance and investments - and has not resulted in any closures.
