Thursday, June 2, 2016

IN THE MEDIA. JUNE 1, 2016. DEACON MARTINEZ STANDS UP FOR "THE CHURCH"

KUAM (Jun 1, 2016): Deacon says church's system is flawed

While the Archdiocese of Agana has provided limited information on how they're moving forward with investigating allegations against Archbishop Anthony Apuron, one man who is very familiar with the church's sex abuse policy says the system is flawed. Deacon Steve Martinez was a former sexual abuse response coordinator for the archdiocese. That is, until he was dismissed from his duties back in October 2014 after speaking up about a conflict of interest in church policies.  CONTINUED

PACIFIC NEWS CENTER (Jun 1, 2016): Archbishop Apuron 'An Accused Serial Sexual Predator'
Deacon Steve Martinez says he warned Archbishop Anthony Apuron that their sex abuse policy was flawed two years ago.

Guam - With the lack of action taken by the Archdiocese of Agana following allegations of sexual abuse, the former sex abuse response coordinator Deacon Steve Martinez is speaking out about the church’s flawed policy, especially since Archbishop Anthony Apuron is now "an accused serial sexual predator." CONTINUED

PACIFIC DAILY NEWS (Jun 1, 2016): Deacon: Flawed, weak Church policy on abuses
The former coordinator of a group in the local Catholic Church charged with reviewing sexual abuse allegations said Wednesday that the church’s sexual abuse policy is “weak,” “flawed” and a “failed” one that needs to be changed. CONTINUED (Alternative video site)

THE GUAM DAILY POST (Jun 1, 2016): Deacon: Archbishop maintained, now 'protected' by broken sex abuse policy
Deacon Steve Martinez, a former sexual abuse response coordinator with the Archdiocese of Agaña, held a press conference on Wednesday, June 1, at Guam Law Library, to discuss his concerns that Archbishop Anthony Apuron kept in place a sex abuse policy that is no longer in favor among other archdiocese in order to protect himself.  VIDEO

THE GUAM DAILY POST (Jun 1, 2016): Deacon speaks out on 'flawed' sexual misconduct policy
For the first time since Roy Quintanilla publicly accused Archbishop Anthony Apuron of molesting him as a child 40 years ago, a member of the Catholic clergy has criticized the archbishop for purposely implementing weak sexual misconduct policies in order to protect himself and his inner circle. Moreover, these policies may have allowed additional cases of sexual abuse by different perpetrators, according to Deacon Steve Martinez. CONTINUED

THE GUAM DAILY POST (Jun 1, 2016) EDITORIAL: Find the truth about sex abuse allegations
As a secular newspaper, it is not our place to tell any church how to conduct itself. But the recent allegations of sexual misconduct by the head of Guam’s Catholic Church are disturbing. If true, they are allegations of criminal behavior of a most despicable nature. In one sense, it is unfortunate that the accusations are being made so long after the abuse is alleged to have taken place, since the statutes of limitations have long since expired, preventing the accused from being held accountable – or shown to be innocent of the allegations – in a court of law. CONTINUED

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4 comments:

  1. God bless deacon Steve for exposing the truth in a failed system that protects the perpetrators rather than the victim. Guam needs to stand up against the malicious acts of a serial perpetrator that prefers to hide rather than face the truth. God have mercy on this islands faith.

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  2. TRUTH is the new hate speech and you will be hated by all nations for my name's sake. (Matt. 24:9)
    Stay fit, and strong Deacon Martinez! We need you too! Si Yuós Maáse!

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  3. Marilu D. MartinezJune 2, 2016 at 3:16 PM

    Because God is the author of what is moral or not, we cannot remain on the fence, silent nor be "lukewarm" on moral concerns and issues. Our Lord, Himself, said: "I know thy works: thou art neither cold nor hot. I would that thou wert cold or hot. But because thou are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am about to vomit thee out of my mouth" Apocalypse 3:15-16

    Thank you for the stance you took, difficult as it is, Deacon Steve; because the stance you took against error is not a popular stance.

    My dad once remarked that “the defense of the Truth is not enough, it is the “love of the Truth” that motivates us to take a moral stance” -- that means taking a stand against error.


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  4. Deacon Steve, your courage and faith is clearly evident by your stance and inspired media release. I felt the Holy Spirit's presence as you presented the facts regarding your efforts to correct a very serious problem. Stay strong as you are in our prayers. St. Michael, the archangel, defend us in battle.

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