Investigators on their way to Guam, says Catholic Church

The Catholic Church on Guam says a group of investigators will soon arrive as part of the canonical trial of the island's archbishop.

The Archbishop, Anthony Apuron, is facing a Vatican trial after several former altar boys accused him of sexual assault in the 1970s, when he was a parish priest.

The Pacific Daily News reported Archbishop Michael Byrnes - who will replace Archbishop Apuron when he retires, resigns or is removed - also announced tougher policies against sexual abuse.

They include background checks for anyone working around children; required reporting to civil authorities any allegation involving minors; and suspension of clergy if an accusation is deemed credible.

After the territory's government removed a statute of limitations last year, the Catholic Church on Guam so far faces 16 lawsuits involving allegations of historical child sex abuse.