Archbishop Orders Investigation into Alleged 2013 Incident at Asan Parish

The Archdiocese of Guam has launched an investigation into sexual misconduct allegations against Father Antonino “Nino” Caminiti, Archbishop Ryan Jimenez announced in a November 12 letter to clergy. A woman reported a “boundary violation” that occurred in 2013 at the Nino Perdido Y Sagrada Familia Church in Asan, where Caminiti served as pastor. The Independent Review Board recommended further investigation after receiving the report through the Safe Environment Office. Caminiti, now parochial vicar at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Yigo, has moved to the archbishop’s temporary residence in Tumon pending acceptance to a priest renewal program.

5 Key Points

  • The woman reported the 2013 incident to the Safe Environment Office in late 2024.
  • Archbishop Jimenez ordered an immediate preliminary investigation upon receiving the report.
  • Father Caminiti remains under temporary precautionary measures while awaiting investigation.
  • The Independent Review Board assessed and recommended further inquiry.
  • The archdiocese offers professional counseling services to abuse survivors.

Church Takes Immediate Action on Allegation

The Safe Environment Office alerted Archbishop Ryan Jimenez to the woman’s report shortly after his installation as Guam’s archbishop in August 2024. The allegation details a “boundary violation” that occurred at Nino Perdido Y Sagrada Familia Church in Asan, where Father Caminiti served as pastor in 2013. “As your archbishop, I take all allegations seriously. At the same time, I acknowledge the human dignity of the accused,” Jimenez wrote in his November 12 letter to the clergy. The archbishop removed Caminiti from his current position as parochial vicar at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Yigo and relocated him to the archbishop’s Tumon residence while arranging his placement in a Center for Assisted Intensive Renewal Program for Priests.

Review Board Oversees New Investigation Protocol

The Independent Review Board’s oversight of this case reflects reformed policies within the Archdiocese of Guam. Before 2019, the archbishop alone decided whether to investigate allegations against priests—a system that failed to address numerous abuse claims. The Vatican later convicted former Archbishop Anthony Apuron of molesting multiple minors, prompting the archdiocese to establish an independent board. Under current protocol, the board first conducts a preliminary review of all misconduct allegations. In Caminiti’s case, the board examined the initial report and directed the archdiocese to launch a formal investigation. The investigation remains active as of November 18, with no announced timeline for completion.

Archdiocese Confronts Past While Addressing Present

While investigating the current allegation, the Archdiocese of Guam continues to address nearly 300 clergy abuse claims through a court-approved bankruptcy plan. These cases, documenting abuse from the 1950s onward, led the archdiocese to establish comprehensive victim support services. The Journey to Healing for Survivors program now provides free professional counseling and spiritual support to abuse survivors. In addressing the Caminiti case, Archbishop Jimenez balanced these institutional responsibilities with pastoral care: “During this process, as your shepherd, I am concerned about his well-being and the need to accompany him during this trying moment as a father would do.” The archdiocese has not released additional details about the investigation as of Monday, November 18.