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Archbishop Anthony Apuron has retained an attorney to warn an accuser to stop ruining the name of the island’s Catholic church and its leader.
“This letter serves as a demand to you to immediately cease and desist from making any further defamatory comments or publications against Archbishop Apuron’s reputation and character,” wrote Michelle R. Neal, a Sacramento, Calif., attorney whose expertise includes sexual harassment claim prevention and investigations.
“Your conduct has caused and continues to cause grave harm not only to Archbishop Apuron and the church in Guam, but also to the universal church,” Neal wrote to Toves on July 5.The accuser, John C. Toves, a native of Guam who lives in California, said Friday he won’t stop publicly questioning Apuron because he believes he’s saving the church by calling for a change in leadership.
The lawyer is acting on behalf of the archbishop because of the constant harassment by Toves, Father Adrian Cristobal, chancellor of the archdiocese, stated Friday.
In November last year, Toves sent letters to Vatican representatives to call for an investigation on his allegation against Apuron.
In the letters, Toves alleged that sometime between 1980 and 1983, when Apuron was a priest, Apuron allegedly had inappropriate contact with a relative of Toves when both attended a youth seminary in Guam.
He sent a letter to Archbishop Martin Krebs, the Vatican’s delegate in the Pacific islands; and similar letters to Cardinal Marc Ouellet, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops; and Cardinal Fernando Filoni, prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples and a former personal envoy of Pope Francis.
In December, Deacon Larry Claros, the archdiocese’s sexual abuse response coordinator at the time, said the archbishop is innocent — “for sure” — and that the archdiocese has determined no investigation was necessary.
Claros gave a public statement after Toves went to the archdiocese to try to confront the archbishop.
No victim has come forward publicly since Toves made the public allegation. Toves said his relative and former co-seminarian remains anguished and doesn’t wish to come forward.
At the time of his Guam trip in December, Toves said he’s speaking up because of the rift in the island Catholic church between those who support the Neocatechumenal Way and those who want to keep the island’s long-held Catholic traditions.
Many on Guam are afraid to speak up, he said. He said he hopes to be able to afford a Canon Law expert to press the Vatican to investigate.
“I am risking my entire well-being on all of this. Why are the people so afraid? Why?” Toves said.
The archbishop’s attorney wrote to Toves that if Toves doesn’t comply with the letter’s demand that Toves cease spreading “patently false” statements against the archbishop, Apuron will have to pursue all available legal remedies.
“Your liability and exposure under such legal action will be considerable,” the archbishop’s attorney wrote.
http://www.guampdn.com/story/news/2015/07/17/archbishops-lawyer-sends-warning-accuser/30282407/
A basic principle of justice is that one is presumed innocent until proven guilty. A person who is accused does not have to prove innocence; if he is not proven guilty is not considered guilty. Here, if I understand correctly, no admissible accusation has been brought, but a person, in his own words, wanted to "confront" another person regarding something he heard about a third person... (in the common parlance: gossip). Archbishop has no obligation whatsoever to prove his innocence in any way, including undergoing investigation in this matter.
ReplyDeleteThis whole case is a very bad joke.
I agree--gossip. But Diana would have us believe that if a person suspects a crime is being committed it's okay to publish the accusation--complete with identification--on her blog because that person is seeking justice. Never mind the fact that the accused may be innocent and their reputation may be tarnished, employment may be jeopardized. (see discussion between Diana and Ms. Taitano)
DeleteDear Anonymous at 8:44 am,
DeleteIn John's case, it was NEVER a speculation. He came out and accused the Archbishop that he did it. He never asked for an investigation. He wanted him removed. I thought I made that clear in my discussion with Mrs. Taitano. In fact, the discussion is still there. You can go back and see it for yourself. I specifically stated that in John's case it was NOT a quest for justice.
Diana . John represents majority of our people . Residents of our community have long suffered gray areas of archbishops life administration.Residents of Guam simply call for an external investigation . This will then determine if he is morally fit to lead. As things stand at present archbishop looks unfit to hold office. Archbishop needsto be transparent this would help him. He is not sen as an honest man.
DeleteIt is also ironic that Tim Rohr does not want the Archbishop to pursue any lawsuit against John Toves. It makes me wonder why? He complained that the Archbishop should not use their money to pursue the lawsuit, but that is a farce because they no longer donate to the Church. What is Tim Rohr hiding that he does not want this lawsuit to go forward?
ReplyDeleteDiana at 7:23 AM--
DeleteFrom my reading, it doesn't appear that Tim does not want the lawsuit--his whole entry was a cynical diatribe. He actually indicates he welcomes it and the depositions that come with it. Someone on this blog mentioned "be careful what you ask for" and "pandora's box"....
DeleteHis excellency should sue.
Financial help available
If a law suit is made against toves it will reveal who is the puppet master behind that clown of John. Rohr is shaking in his pants.
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous at 8:46 am,
DeleteRohr is the puppet master of John Toves. Ironic that Tim Rohr accuses that Father Pius and the Gennarinis are the puppet masters. It is true that many times when one accuses another of something, it actually says more about the accuser than the accused.
You are amazing Diana. You say this " It is true that many times when one accuses another of something, it actually says more about the accuser than the accused. "
DeleteAnd at the same time accuse Tim Rohr of being "the puppet master of John Toves."
Dear Anonymous at 1:11 pm,
DeletePlease read the thread. I was agreeing with Anonymous at 8:46 am. It was Anonymous 8:46 am, who said that Tim Rohr is the puppet master. I agreed with him.
Welcome to Guam; where someone who has connections through the media can slander; defame anyone and not be held accountable. What make this situation especially vulgar and tasteless are people who for personal and ambitious intentions insult the clergy from Guam to the Vatican.
ReplyDeleteWhat is it with people who "T H I N K" they have the moral and spiritual qualifications to evaluate the clergy..any clergy for that matter? Their hypocrisy is unbelievable.
I should also inquire to the parent company of PDN why they allow an editor to publish false statements and accusations without validating the facts and truth.
I will gladly without any hesitations contribute to the Arch Bishop future lawsuits....all lawsuits.
They say the Word of God will change my life...it has. They say the Word of God sustains the faithful. Having problems with this one because it is really hard to pray from the heart for hypocrites.
JSB
Dear JSB,
DeleteThe Voice of the People section in the PDN are all opinions of the writers who submitted their article for publication. PDN has a right to print the article in which Chuck White claimed that the NCW is a cult. That is his opinion even if it is false. I value freedom of expression so I do not fault PDN for making those publications. I fault them for being unfair in that they edited the articles of the NCW members who submitted their articles while they did not edit Tim's or Chuck's articles.
Diana at 11:38 AM, do you know for a fact that PDN "did not edit Tim's or Chuck's articles"? or is that speculation?
DeleteDo you have access to the original submissions by Tim or Chuck as you do from NCW members? I doubt it. Yet you accuse PDN of being partial to Tim Rohr or Chuck White based on YOUR belief that their daughters "work" for PDN.
FYI: None of the Rohr or White daughters have worked for PDN. As reporters for VIBE, they were considered to be freelancers, NOT EMPLOYEES.
Dear Anonymous at 2:35 pm,
DeleteI am basing my speculation on the fact that Tim and Chuck published their articles in their blogs, which matches the PDN word for word.
Do you have some judgment against me?
Diana,
DeleteWhether rohrs daughter or daughters free lanced for PDN is not the issue; don't really care.
There are people who believe that everything in internet, print, tv and radio media is truth. Others that believe that respected members of the community are always stating fact.
This is not division of faith...it is ignorance of man
JSB
JSB
Hey Diana @ 4:54 PM: You told Anon @ 2:35 PM I am basing my speculation on the fact that Tim and Chuck published their articles in their blogs, which matches the PDN word for word.
DeleteI don't know why it surprises you that when Rohr and White link their PDN articles in their blogs the articles match word for word because the link is to the PDN article.
Dear Anonymous at 11:00 am,
DeleteAnd you do not hear them complaining about anything left out whereas the NCW members complained that not everything in their articles to PDN were published, but edited out and even changed.
Diana at 11:44 AM, maybe Rohr and White do not complain (like the NCW members do) is because they have read and accepted PDN's editorial policy which states (my emphasis):
DeleteALL SUBMISSIONS may be edited for length, accuracy and clarity, and may be published or distributed in print, electronic or other forms.
i have submitted letters to the editor in the past and found they were edited. Not every single word of my original submission was included. But I realized that was part of the deal. Maybe the NCW members need to develop the humility to accept that fact, too?
Dear Anonymous at 7:26 pm,
DeleteEditing for length, accuracy, and clarity is one thing, but adding words to change the meaning is another. That is what PDN did. For example. Dr. Eusebio's letter was changed. In his letter he originally stated: "The most glaring and frustrating fact is through all these attacks, criticisms and malicious gossip, there has never been a single proposal to answer our problems of divorce, suicide, single parent families and bringing back the faraway catholic."
PDN, however, changed it to say: The most glaring and frustrating fact is through all these attacks, criticisms and malicious gossip, the effort to answer our problems of divorce, suicide, single-parent families and bringing back the faraway Catholics, has been buried deep in the recesses of our volcanic emotions.
As you can see, words were deliberately added, which changed the entire meaning of what Dr. Eusebio wrote.
ROHR and PDN are in collision. Their goals are similar: rohrs goal is to bring down the Church at all costs even if it means to lie. PDNs goal is to make money off the church at all costs and they will find any trash and scum they can devise. The two go hand in hand and their common denominator is to throw the mud of lies against the church to gain attention. ROHR seeks attention because he is a narcistic meglomaniac, plus he holds allegiance to Benavente; PDN is really hard up for money, newspapers need to survive in this digital age. They are loosing ground. Throwing lies against the church is like tabloid frenzy. In the end PDN is just another glorified form of tabloid news whose readership is below 5th grade levels. In the end they think they can live off the carcass of the church; but in truth they re like vultures that will sink to the lowest levels of cesspool vermin. Too bad for ROHR, his sickness gets worse and worse. He needs some spiritual conversion. He's destroying faith. He's fighting God! Poor man.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteGod Bless John Toves and his ministry for healing the people of Guam. Doubt Diana will print a supportive statement of John Toves. John Toves symbol of inspiration to our community.
Dear Anonymous at 12:50 am,
DeleteThe only thing I have for Mr. Toves is pity. He went from John Toves the typhoon to Little John or Mosquito John. The jungle already acknowledge that he has nothing.......hence the name "little John". Who, in the jungle is willing to give him even $50 for a lawyer when Tim Rohr stated several times in his blog that little mosquito John has absolutely no evidence. If I were John, I would leave the jungle and find some REAL friends.
12:50 that's funny HAHAHAHAHA
DeleteJohn Toves is 99 Cents short of a dollar. just look at his Facebook? dancing Bishop??
ReplyDeleteAre we talking about the same guy who said he has connections with National Media? FBI? CDC? haha! what a joke. I think hes even less than 99 cents short of a dollar.....hes like 50 cents.
DeleteEver read the comments on jw and notice a familiar anonymous comment, "sent immediately to apostolic delegate"? This comment is from toves, as well as others that are only meant to intimidate and mislead.
-Jokers Wild
You're Right Jokers Wild, 50 cents sounds right :)
DeleteDear Jokers Wild, anon at 2.37. Do you know what "99 Cents short of a dollar" means? What is one dollar less 99 cents? The answer is of course "one cent". So now you have multiplied that by 50 to get to 50 cents. Are you intending to defend John Toves?
DeleteAnon 11:33am:
DeleteThank You for pointing out my error. I think I gave Toves alot more worth in my 50cents. I rescind it. haha. I was trigger happy and not thinking, i totally over saw the 99 and thought he was a cent short of a dollar.
Anyways, I meant to say hes half there(brain). a bit loose.and I only say this because this is what was shared to me by a former seminarian who knows toves too.
I apologize if my comment is a bit degrading but at this point Im just really tired of all the BS coming out of JW.
To ANON July 20, 2015 12:50 AM: "The mosquito - typhoon - clown - puppet - little John - a very close personal friend of …." You can fill in the blanks. The poor guy. This is his legacy: he stooped to the lowest end of stupidity and indecency and stuck out his neck for his dear friends Rohr, Benavente and Gofigan. In the end he's being chased by a lawyer. Was it really worth it? Is this the meaning of his life? Now. he's got a lawsuit over his head. He made a buffoonery of the Santa Marian Kamalen Procession on Dec. 8 and now he's in charge of 'healing ministry'? This is really a JOKE, a pitiful joke.
ReplyDeleteDear 12.16pm.
DeleteJohn Toves is an inspiration to all victims of sexual abuse on Guam. At this point in time John Toves represents those unable to speak. John Toves represents those suffering on medication those who live alone removed from society living in fear because of trauma in Guam. He speaks for those who suffered mental breakdowns, poverty, trauma because trauma. His actions contribue to the healing of our island. Yes he has a ministry of healing to this nation.
DeleteThank you sheng. Please consider joining Snap Mariana's.
We can be contacted by parish office Tumon.
12:16 PM. Are you Joking ? medication, mental breakdown, removed from society, trauma in Guam , that sounds like John. he came here to accused the bishop of sexual abuse. now it's about money.His own cousin is a shame of him. healing...?????
DeleteDear Anonymous @ 1:41AM--
DeleteUnfortunately, 12:16 PM is most likely not joking. What he or she listed is what most who have suffered abuse go through. That he or she looks at John Toves as a hero is predictable. So take it easy with the criticism and maybe suggest an alternative for healing?
ReplyDeleteReally strange developments. Met this guy who said our archdiocese needs a new society with a new bishop and in Oder to bring this about there needs to be a revolution from within. The revolution he spoke of will remove our archbishop and return authentic catholic church. It sounded like an Idealogy but this Idealogy I discovered is being discussed in sections of our community. There talking about a revolution but not in sense war destruction. Revolution from within .....
Dear Anonymous at 12:32 am,
DeleteOnly the Pope can remove the Archbishop.
ReplyDeleteSound like a bunch of radicals but radicals that have money to spend on broadcasting their Brand of nonsense.we know who persons are circulating this magic around island. If you question them they say they are obedient only to the pope. They claim the archbishop has no authority only the supreme vicar of Christ. These people are radical keep away.
Anonymous @ 1:05: ???? "who persons are circulating this magic" ????
DeleteYou must be one of the foreign presbyters people are complaining about---that they can't understand their homilies.....