Guam clergy sex abuse cases up for hearing unless judge recuses himself again

A new round of hearings is scheduled this week for eight of the 15 lawsuits related to alleged sexual abuse by Catholic priests on Guam, unless the judge recuses himself from hearing these cases.

Superior Court of Guam Judge Arthur R. Barcinas is set to hear the eight clergy sex abuse cases Thursday, based on the court’s schedule as of Monday afternoon.

Barcinas previously recused himself from hearing six other clergy abuse cases, stating that his late uncle, Deacon Jeff Barcinas, appears to have been secretarial staff to Archbishop Anthony S. Apuron during a potentially relevant period.

Apuron is accused of raping two former altar boys and sexually abusing two others in Agat in the 1970s. Other former and current priests are also named in pending clergy abuse cases.

Read more: http://www.guampdn.com/story/news/2017/01/30/clergy-sex-abuse-cases-up-hearing-unless-judge-recuses-himself-again/97233448/