Shocking twist in same-sex unions debate

Vice-Speaker B.J. Cruz

by Mindy Aguon

The debate surrounding same-sex marriage hit every Catholic Church on this island with Archbishop Anthony Apuron's pastoral letter being read during masses this weekend.  While island Catholics are being urged to sign petitions and speak out against same-sex civil unions, the author of Bill 185 is speaking out against the Catholic Church.

"The church is more a major predator than it is anything else.  For it to become so sanctimonious is beyond the pail," said B.J. Cruz.  The vice-speaker of the 30th Guam Legislature says it's unfortunate that the issue surrounding homosexuality and the debate surrounding same-sex civil unions has become a topic of homilies around the island, saying the church's stance is hypocritical.

He continued, "It's unfortunate that this has become such a vitriolic discussion.  Because there are so many children, out there, young people that are having issues with their sexuality and some of it is actually brought on by members of the clergy themselves."

Cruz then added, "I might as well go ahead and say it - I was sexually abused by a priest for four years and I was made to have sex with the priest and then serve his mass."

Cruz says he was 13 at the time the sexual abuse began when he was attending St. John Bosco High School.  Cruz and others alleged that Titian Miani, a priest and vice-principal at the Los Angeles school, sexually abused them for years.  

The 17 plaintiffs, which did not include Cruz (who was going to be a corroborating witness), received a $19.6 million settlement from The Salesian Society and $660 million from the Archdiocese.  The Salesians also run Father Duenas Memorial School in Mangilao.  "So you know," he said, "I'm so tired of them making these comments. I'm not happy about it but it's the truth. To be made to serve the mass and also receive communions also from those same hands."

The Archbishop stated, "Homosexuals' acts are sins gravely contrary to chastity."  His Excellency has made it clear that the Catholic Church opposes homosexuality and alternative lifestyles.  Even during Sunday mass, the leader of the island's Catholic faithful used the pulpit as his platform, urging parishioners to voice their opposition to Bill 185, saying if they don't, they will be condemned.

"If this law passes, I really give up," said the Archbishop.  "I cannot go.  I mentioned even in the pastoral letter, that my soul is in peril if I remain silent.  You cannot remain silent, your soul will also be in peril.  God will condemn us."

"It's not being insensitive to those who are homosexual," the Archbishop noted.  "We're asking them to convert, to change, to try to find a way out of to be helped out of this homosexual activity and homosexual lifestyle.  We need to pray for them.  We need to pray for each other and we need to act now."

The Archdiocese of Agana has urged parishioners to sign a petition to senators, urging them to oppose Bill 185 and other similar legislation.  Apuron is hoping to gather more than 10,000 signatures. 

The Guam Alternative Lifestyles Association meanwhile has been gathering signatures of their own.  Guam Youth Congress Speaker Derrick Hills, who initiated the same-sex civil union legislation, was appalled by the Archbishop's comments, telling KUAM News, "I think it's so ridiculous to say that homosexuality can be a conversion, it can be done through the church.  I think that's absolutely false.  It's not even proven through any association that you can convert homosexuals to living a straight lifestyle."

Hills added, "I don't see where the religious church is coming from when they say we can go to their masses and seek religious advice when we're talking about political issues."

For the time being, the Archbishop is scheduled to meet with members of the Guam Legislature tomorrow morning to discuss his concerns.