Father Adrian Cristobal has filed an appeal to the Vatican to Archbishop Michael Byrnes the decision to laicize him or officially remove him from the status of being a member of the clergy.

Archbishop Byrnes' decision to laicize Father Adrian follows an administrative penal process that was completed in August 2019. At least four people have come forward alleging Father Adrian sexually abused them when they were children.

Since June 2018 the priest has refused to obey orders by Archbishop Byrnes to return to Guam and as a result, sanctions were issued against him such as forbidding Father Adrian from acting as a priest in public and hearing confession.

Father Adrian is the former Chancellor of the local archdiocese. While this appeal process is ongoing, the Archdiocese says it cannot comment any further on the matter.