Heartbreaking story of child abuse by Catholic priests on Guam

The Church is no longer protecting accused pedophiles.

This may be one of the most heartbreaking stories we've written yet. There are more than 100 allegations of child abuse by Catholic clergy on the island of Guam.

LOS ANGELES, CA (California Network) -- USA Today broke the story, on the heels of the scandal in Germany. A 15-year old boy agrees to help a priest at a local church. The parents encourage the activity because they want to instill respect and reverence for the Church and its priests. The priest grooms the child with more invitations, food, wine, and watching movies which become X-rated. Eventually the relationship becomes sexual and the priest rapes the boy over 50 times in the next three years.

This wasn't the only case. There are more than 100 allegations against priests on the island of Guam in the Pacific. Guam is a U.S. territory and it is primarily Roman Catholic.

USA today briefly tells the stories, one boy was molested on his 7th birthday, then raped over a 100 times in the years to come. Another fondled on his way to a funeral.

In many cases, respect for the clergy made it impossible for children to report the case. After all, who would the parents believe? The child, or the priest?

The Archdiocese of Agana is the defendant in 96 cases brought for complains from 1955 to 1994. Some clergy knew about the incidents, others allegedly did not. What was done to protect children? One priest has over 20 victims. That individual is retired and still receives a pension.

Only recently has the case been brought to the attention of the Vatican. Its response has been to remove the Archbishop, Anthony Apuron, and 13 other priests, plus one teacher, one Boy Scout leader, and a janitor. The Archbishop is the highest-ranking person to face a secret trial at the Vatican which can end up with his being laicized, that is to say, fired from the Church.  Apuron himself is accused of abusing four altar boys in the 1970s. The accused are innocent until proven guilty, but it's highly unlikely they are all innocent. Hopefully each has their day in court and justice is served.

Apuron's case is rare because the Church has always protected its bishops. That protection likely goes back to a time when clergy could be persecuted by their governments simply for being Catholic. Under Pope Francis, that protection has been revoked. Now, even cardinals, such as Cardinal Pell, who was the Vatican's top finance official until last month, are facing accusations. Pope Francis is giving them no shelter.

Why is it that priests seem to abuse children? Statistically, priests do not seem to be abusers more than any other segment of the population. However, priests are held to a much higher standard of conduct than ordinary people. Because they are public and moral figures, they are highlighted.

Priests also enjoy public trust, so they have more access and opportunity to be alone with children, which means abuse is more likely. This is true with any person who has trust and access to children. Those who are attracted to children will eventually act out.

It is virtually impossible to discern who will become an abuser and who will not. Access, opportunity, and sexual preference, that is --an attraction to children, have a lot to do with it.

It is better for these people to avoid trying to become priests because the Church has forever changed its approach to dealing with abusers. Where it is obvious that the Church once sheltered abusers, this is no longer the case. Sooner or later, these cases come to light, and it would be better for a person if they were not a member of the clergy when that happens.

Abusers harm children, they disgrace the Church and their communities, and they cause division, pain and anger. They also destroy themselves and their reputations, forever.

We pray with the victims for justice.