Nearly a decade of legal battles has come to an end for Guam’s former Archbishop Anthony Sablan Apuron.

Today, nine civil cases in federal court, eight of them involving allegations of sexual abuse dating back to the 1970s, were dismissed with prejudice, meaning the claims can’t be filed again. 

The dismissal comes without any settlement, money, or other consideration, according to Apuron's attorney, Jacqueline Taitano Terlaje, the legal team emphasized the archbishop's consistent denial of the accusations and stated that the dismissals were based solely on voluntary stipulations from the plaintiffs.

In a press release, attached was a message from Apuron, reading, “Over the past decade, I have been unjustly condemned by the media and public opinion because of certain false accusations made against me. In silence, I have accepted this in justice out of love for Jesus Christ, praying for those who are doing evil against me. Today, the claims made against me in 9 cases have been dismissed permanently.”

“Contrary to false recent media reports, I have never entered into any settled agreement, and I’ve always refused to do so. I also never paid any sum of money to my accusers. Today’s dismissals come from the plaintiffs and are further evidence of my innocence.”

“Today, I can also speak freely about the canonical process. The canonical process did not result in my layatization. No priest found guilty of these crimes laicization no priest or bishop found guilty of these crimes has remained a priest or bishop as I have. This indicates my innocence.”

Apuron, who has lived in seclusion for several years, maintains his innocence and says he continues to pray for the church of Guam, his accusers, and all victims of abuse.