The Law Is An Unjust Law

The law lifting the statutes of limitations is an unjust law.  There were more people (over 5000) who signed the petition requesting that Governor Calvo not sign the bill into law as opposed to those who signed a petition in favor of the law (approximately 3000 signatures). This is probably the reason its author Senator Frank Blas Jr. was not re-elected.  

While it is true that Guam has twice the rape rate as the rest of the nation, the vast majority of rape occurred outside the Church.  Furthermore, a large majority of the rape and sexual assaults have been reported in a timely manner, allowing the perpetrators to be brought to justice.  This is not the case with the Catholic Church where sexual allegations are coming out 30, 40, and 50 years later.  Passing a bill to lift the statutes of limitations is not going to bring dead priests to justice.  Rather, it allows innocent people to suffer (see the story here).  

I have stated before that as long as that law is in existence, more allegations will be coming out accusing mainly dead priests.  Father George Maddock is proof of that.  When he passed away on September 30, 2018, a lawsuit was filed against him only twenty-three days later.  Being deceased, Father George cannot defend himself.  

Some people are currently expressing some doubts over these allegations.  Even newstalk Patty Arroyo havve expressed some of her doubts in K57.  You can listen to her in the weblink below dated November 9, 2018.  She expressed some of her doubts over a sexual abuse allegation involving a recently deceased priest who was praised by many students from Father Duenas Memorial School.  

Patty Arroyo with David Sablan on K57

In the interview, it was brought out that any investigative process to determine the merit of the allegation was put on hold or placed aside.  Thus, the Archdiocese is taking the stand that all allegations are true.  The problem with this stand is that it goes against the democratic principle and rights of the accused.  Also, by putting aside all investigative process, one then cannot determine whether the allegations are true or not.    

After the Church had publicly announced that they are claiming bankruptcy, the allegations are coming in faster. The two new priests who were recently accused of sex abuse were Father George Maddock and Father Michael Lee Friel (See the story here).  Both of them are deceased.  Some people are now starting to express some doubts over these allegations; therefore, Patty Arroyo is not alone.  These were some of the comments that were published in the Pacific Daily News:

Ordelia Pritchard

FATHER LEE TOO!!!! This is whole 'sexual abuse' situation is really getting out of hand, and at this point and time, is completely ABSURD; my God, mercy. The names of deceased priests who cannot defend themselves are being tarnished. Father George, the Carmelite Nuns and now, Father Lee?!! Whose next? Pale' Ramon???

Thomas J Hertslet

This is utterly insane. After the priests have died those two come out with accusations, for which the past away priests cannot defend themselves or even if it has happened to ask for forgiveness.
This "$ 5,000,000. bounty" is creating a terrible damage to a peaceful island. Very sad!!!

The law lifting the statutes of limitations is an unjust law.  It is a mistake for several reason.  There is no due process for dead priests. Every accused has a right to due process.  Because the alleged crime took place 30, 40, or 50 years ago, it is difficult to substantiate the allegations with hard evidence.  Because there are no investigations, one would not know whether the allegations are true or false. The entire Church of Guam will also be the one to bear the cost.  In seeking justice for these alleged victims, innocent people (who have nothing to do with the sexual abuse) will bear the punishment and the cost of suffering as they lose their parishes.  

Is it possible that some priests are being falsely accused (including dead priests)?  Yes.  After all, we recently learned that after an investigation from the FBI, even Judge Brett Kavanaugh was falsely accused of sexual abuse.  In fact, the second accuser even came out and finally admitted that she lied in order to derail the judge's confirmation to the Supreme Court (See the story here).  

Below are also a list of falsely accused priests.  

1.  Father Joseph Jiang (See his story here). 

2.  Father Kevin Reynolds (See his story here).

3.  Father Roger Jacques (See his story here).

4.  Monsignor William McCarthy (See story here).

5.  Father Charles Murphy (See story here). 

These are only a few examples.  There are many more.  Moreover, these priests were alive at the time of the accusation and therefore able to fight back. Priests such as Cardinal McCarrick chose not to fight back because he knew he was guilty of sleeping with seminarians and priests.  Priests such as Father Joseph Jiang and Father Kevin Reynolds fought their accusers through the justice system and won while others went to the Vatican and were cleared AFTER an investigation was conducted.  

There are people who say that children don't lie.  The problem, however, is that these are NOT children coming out with these accusations.  These are adults coming out with accusations.  The law lifting the statutes of limitations is an unjust law.