The mediation process for victims of clergy sex abuse begins today and is expected to continue until Sep. 21.
“Because of the highly confidential nature of mediation pertaining to the sexual abuse cases, we are not free to disclose the location of the meetings,” Tony C.
Diaz, director of Communication at the Archdiocese of Agaña said in a press statement.
The Archdiocese it abides by “the requirement of strict confidentiality” of the process and therefore it will not be issuing comments or updates regarding the daily discussions.
“We shall be guided by the mediator during the process and expect to be part of a joint statement issued at the completion of the mediation series,” Diaz said.
The number of cases against local priests, including the convicted Archbishop Anthony Apuron and other retired members of the clergy accused of having abused altar servers, is now more than 180.
The mediation process will determine a compensation plan for the victims. The lawsuits filed by former altar servers are projected to cost the Church an estimated $600 million in court judgement. In March, the Archdiocese of Agana announced plans to sell the historic Chancery property in Hagatna to raise funds for victim compensation.