The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) has announced the conclusion of a year-long trial against an Archbishop in Guam, stating that he has been found guilty of some charges stemming from allegations of sexual abuse of minors and has been removed from office.
A source close to the case has confirmed that the Archbishop has already appealed the decision.
According to a March 16th statement from the Apostolic Tribunal of the CDF, Archbishop Anthony Apuron, 72, was found guilty of “certain” accusations and penalized with removal from the office and prohibition from residing within the Archdiocese of Guam.
The CDF did not state the charges for which the Archbishop was found guilty. Sources close to the case told CNA that the Archbishop was found guilty of a minority of the allegations leveled against him.
If the Archbishop has been found guilty of sexual abuse of minors, the penalty leveled against him is unusual - often a Cleric found guilty of such crimes would be "laicized," that is, removed from the clerical state.
The Archbishop seems to have maintained his ecclesiastical faculties, and though restricted from residence in Guam, is apparently able to exercise ministry as a Priest.
Cardinal Raymond Burke, former Prefect of the Vatican's Apostolic Signatura, is the only judge to be publicly identified.
Archbishop Apuron was relieved of his pastoral and administrative authority by Pope Francis in 2016, in the wake of the allegations, and was effectively replaced by Coadjutor Archbishop Michael Byrnes, formerly of Detroit.
The canonical trial against him began in October 2016, with Cardinal Burke appointed by Pope Francis as the trial’s presiding judge. The CDF reached its decision on the case in October 2017, though no information regarding its outcome was released until such a time that a sentence was imposed.
Archbishop Apuron is reported to have been notified of the court's decision just prior to its being made known publicly.
Archbishop Apuron released a statement through his attorney: "I have been informed of the conclusion of the first instance canonical trial against me. While I am relieved that the tribunal dismissed the majority of the accusations against me, I have appealed the verdict. God is my witness; I am innocent and I look forward to proving my innocence in the appeals process," the statement read. Today, my prayers are with the Church in Guam, which has been suffering greatly. I pray that Santa Marian Kamalen may intercede for the healing of our island."
Until appeals are resolved, “the imposed penalties are suspended until the final resolution” of the trial, according to the CDF. The Prefect of the CDF, Archbishop Luis Ladaria, will determine whether or not to accept the appeal, and then be responsible for appointing judges to consider it.
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