Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral Basilica in Guam Photo: 123rf
A retired priest in Guam says the island's Catholic Church leadership has known for decades about sex abuses committed by clergy since the 1950s.
Louis Brouillard, who is a confessed abuser, made his comment in a statement released in connection with civil lawsuits filed by several former altar boys, who allege sexual abuse at the hands of Guam priests decades ago.
Pacific Daily News reports Mr Brouillard saying his only form of punishment for molesting at least 20 boys at the time was to say prayers - as instructed by the then Archbishop Apollinaris Baumgartner.
Mr Brouillard, who is now 95 and living in Minnesota, said his sexual contact with children was known to other priests, including the Archbishop Baumgartner, who led the church on Guam for 25 years from 1945.
Mr Brouilliard served as a priest on island from the late 1940s to 1981.
He says the Catholic Church should be honest and truthful regarding what happened on Guam during his time there.
Mr Brouillard made a video and signed a written statement in support of a former altar boy's lawsuit against him for allegedly sexually abusing him six decades ago.
The Catholic Church on Guam has been embroiled in a paedophilia scandal after allegations emerged earlier this year that the island's archbishop, Anthony Apuron, abused several altar boys in the 1970s.
The Vatican relieved him of his duties in June, although he officially remains the Archbishop of Agana.
In September, Guam's governor signed into law a bill that removed the statute of limitations, which allows the church to be sued for historical allegations.