This is in response to an Anonymous poster, who states:
In the Archdiocese's Ecclesial Disclosure Statement, it states that Apuron was "Found guilty of delicts against the Sixth Commandment with minors". The statement can be found here https://files.ecatholic.com/16576/documents/2024/12/Ecclesial%20Disclosure%20Statment%20re%20Decisions%20by%20DDF.Final%20Signed.pdf?t=1733452417000
Your information came from the Archdiocese of Agana, which probably obtained the information outside the Vatican. The information below came directly from the Vatican press release. It was the Vatican who found Apuron guilty and gave its final verdict. You can find the Vatican press release here.
PRESS RELEASE FROM THE APOSTOLIC TRIBUNAL OF THE CONGREGATION FOR THE DOCTRINE OF THE FAITH
The canonical trial in the matter of accusations, including accusations of sexual abuse of minors, brought against the Most Reverend Anthony Sablan APURON, O.F.M.Cap., Archbishop of Agaña, Guam, has been concluded.
The Apostolic Tribunal of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, composed of five judges, has issued its sentence of first instance, finding the accused guilty of certain of the accusations and imposing upon the accused the penalties of privation of office and prohibition of residence in the Archdiocese of Guam. The sentence remains subject to possible appeal. In the absence of an appeal, the sentence becomes final and effective. In the case of an appeal, the imposed penalties are suspended until final resolution.
This is the verdict we rely on because it was the press release that came from the Vatican. The Vatican never specified the offense Apuron was found guilty of.
It is clear from the press release that Apuron was accused of other offenses, INCLUDING child sexual abuse. But the Vatcan press release never listed those "other accusations" nor did they specified what offenses they found him guilty of. As many canon lawyers pointed out, the offense could not be child sexual abuse because Apuron still retained his title as Bishop. Other bishops, such as Cardinal McCarrick, who was found guilty of child sexual abuse, were laicized.
