Guam archbishop says he's a victim, welcomes Vatican envoy

Published June 07, 2016

The archbishop of Guam says he welcomes the appointment of a Vatican administrator to run the Catholic Church on the Pacific island pending an investigation into allegations he sexually abused young boys decades ago.

In a video shot in St. Peter's Square, Archbishop Anthony Apuron addressed himself to his flock in the U.S. territory, insisting he remained their archbishop and was a "victim of these horrible calumnies."

Pope Francis on Monday named a high-ranking Vatican official to take over the Agana archdiocese after abuse allegations against Apuron resurfaced in recent weeks. A church deacon publicly accused Apuron of keeping the archdiocese's sex abuse policy weak to protect himself.

Apuron has accused the deacon, Stephen Martinez, of being part of a conspiracy to oust him over a soured real estate deal.

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