A conclusion has been reached and justice will be served.
Victims who suffered from clergy sexual abuse in Guam will soon see compensation following the recent approval of the Archdiocese Joint Plan of Reorganization.
Reporting on this story is PNC’s Don Sulat
Survivors of clergy sexual abuse will receive compensation worth $34 to $45M, which will be set up in a trust fund.
Tony Diaz Director of Communication for the Archdiocese of Agana said, “One might ask why is that a range, why is that the set number determined? Well because when the properties that the Archdiocese is being put forward to go towards the victim-survivors still have to be sold. So depending on how much each property is sold, that will be the amount, it might be higher for different properties, it might be lower, and that is the nature of the real estate process.”
Diaz told PNC that some of the properties that the Archdiocese is giving up include the Chancery, which houses the offices of the Archbishop and his groups and his home, the Takecare FHP building in Tamuning, and the San Vitores Shrine in Tumon.
Although they are liquidating property, Diaz says that they are able to keep their churches in the different villages in Guam intact.
The Archdiocese’s Legal Council, Atone Ford Elsaesser, says that the first step in the restitution process would be the “transfer of the designated money and assets of the archdiocese to the trust fund of the victim-survivors,” which according to the Attorney, would span 45 to 60 days.
The Archdiocese says that they will also provide school vouchers for students in grades k through 12th in the Catholic School System, which would provide school years worth of tuition, and cemetery plots as well.
Diaz told PNC that this has been a long journey not only for the church but also for the survivors of the Clergy’s sex abuse.
As the Archdiocese filed for bankruptcy back in January 2019. Diaz says that they originally anticipated resolving the bankruptcy and getting back to normalcy in 2 years.
Diaz added, “The important thing is that we have finally received the confirmation of the Joint Reorganization Plan. The most important aspect is it approves the settlement plan and compensation that will go to these men and women who suffered many years ago as children. You could say they continue to suffer with the wounds of abuse today.”
Reporting for the Pacific News Center. I’m Don Sulat
