But the archdiocese did not provide further details about the medical condition, and whether it's something that could prolong Byrnes' absence from Guam.

"Please continue to pray for our archbishop. He has always appreciated the kindness of the people," Convocar, who has been overseeing the Catholic Church on Guam in Byrnes' absence, said in a statement after media inquiries.

The extended medical leave has permission "from the Pope's Nuncio and Apostolic Delegate for the Pacific islands (Archbishop Novatus Rugambwa) to address important medical needs."

Read More

The Vatican comment followed a federal judge ordering the Holy See's counsel to report on whether Pope Francis could meet with all survivors of Guam clergy sexual assaults to help settle abuse claims.

Attorneys for the Vatican, led by California-based Jeffrey Lena, said the Holy See "has given no indication that it is currently inclined to settle the case at bar" or participate in similar lawsuits.

The plaintiff, known as ‘DM', claims Apuron allegedly raped him when he was a minor student at Father Dueñas Memorial School from 1994-1995.

US District Court of Guam Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood is currently weighing the Vatican's motion to dismiss this particular case filed by DM.

Tydingco-Gatewood ordered the Holy See's counsel to file a formal report indicating whether he conferred with the pope on specific questions before deciding whether to dismiss the case against the Vatican.

These include whether the Vatican is amenable to accepting service of process, and whether Pope Francis is inclined to meet with all the Guam plaintiffs - who were allegedly abused at the hands of clergy - to discuss a global settlement.

The Vatican said the court inquiries directed to Pope Francis as a head of state are "improper" under the doctrines of absolute immunity and personal inviolability.

"As a matter of international comity, a federal court should not be requesting information regarding Pope Francis' ‘inclinations' as to a particular legal controversy, any more than a foreign court should request such information from the President of the United States," the Vatican legal team said in a 13 September court filing.

The Vatican legal team also said the court's recent inquiries "inappropriately" enter into the sphere of the attorney-client relationship.

"In light of the attorney-client privilege, the Holy See respectfully declines to provide a response indicating whether counsel has conferred with the Holy See about two questions and, if so, what is the Holy See's responses to the court's questions," the Vatican legal team said.

Sources

Guam Daily Post

Pacific Daily News

CathNews New Zealand

Court documents show a systemic pattern of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy took place on the US territory of Guam for over 60 years.

The sex abuse scandal and church cover-up that dates back to the 1950s has seen seven men publicly accusing Guam's former Archbishop Anthony Sablan Apuron of assaulting them when they were children. One of the seven is Apuron's nephew.

Although the 73-year old archbishop denied the allegations, in 2018 the Vatican found him guilty of sex crimes against children.

Apuron was removed from public ministry at that time, but remains a bishop and receives a monthly US$1,500 stipend from the church.

He was the archbishop of the Archdiocese of Agaña, Guam, from 1986 until 2016 when he was convicted in a secret Vatican sex abuse trial and suspended.

"He believed he was untouchable, more powerful than the governor," says Water Denton, a former US Army sergeant who alleges he was raped by Apuron 40 years ago as an altar boy.

Denton reported the rape in August 2015 to Apuron's superior, who was the apostolic nuncio for the Pacific.

He also wrote to Pope Francis. The Vatican opened an investigation.

The following May a survivor publicly accused Apuron of molesting him. Denton then informed the church he would also go public.

The day before his scheduled press conference, Francis suspended Apuron.

Apuron maintained his innocence even after Francis rejected his final appeal.

Comparing the decision to a death sentence, he said: "I lose my homeland, my family, my church, my people, even my language, and I remain alone in complete humiliation, old and in failing health,".

The Guam archdiocese is not disclosing Apuron's present whereabouts.

Documents that could have helped prosecute Apuron and many other abusers among Guam's clergy are believed to have been destroyed.

Apuron's successor, Michael Jude Byrnes, has said he heard rumours of "a big bonfire" before Apuron left.

Since Apuron's departure and the subsequent lawsuits, priests in Guam are not permitted to be alone with children, and a committee is reviewing sexual assault claims.

The Guam archdiocese filed for bankruptcy protection this year, estimating liabilities of US$45 million.

Source

• Associated Press
• Daily Mail UK
• The Tablet
• Image: The Guam Daily Post

While the Vatican's ruling following its guilty verdict has banned Apuron from returning to Guam and has removed him permanently from his post, he is still a priest.

His successor, Archbishop Michael Byrnes, has apologised and pledged to help the Church and its followers in Guam.

Byrnes admits there are still plenty of questions as to why Apuron wasn't completely exiled from the Church.

"It means he can still act as a priest, he can still say Mass," Byrnes says.

"There's still some blurry areas around this for me, and I'm just trying to get my head around it."

The Church is already being criticised for what many say is a case of double standards.

In February, the Vatican expelled the former US cardinal Theodore McCarrick from the priesthood over allegations he sexually abused adults and minors.

Source

• ABC
• Image: ktuu.com

"Our church on Guam can now continue with certainty, our collective journey toward healing and reconciliation. Most importantly, the victims, survivors and their families who have suffered greatly can have some measure of solace that justice has been rendered in the church's tribunal process," Archbishop Michael J. Byrnes of Agana, said of his predecessor. Read more

This chapter allows the debtor to propose a plan of reorganisation to keep its business alive and pay creditors over time.

Multitudes of sexual abuse claims against clergy have driven the Church to take this step.

The US territory's Archbishop Michael Byrnes decided to file for bankruptcy because it is the most expedient way to support the alleged victims.

"Over the last two years, we've done our best. We've strengthened our policies for a safe environment. We've educated over 2,000 people in the practices of safe environment protection of minors. We've made a lot of great strides.

"But our biggest issue is the almost 200 victim survivors of sexual abuse," he said.

"This path will bring the greatest measure of justice to the greatest number of victims. That's the heart of what we're doing."

Byrnes said the bankruptcy will provide "finality for victim survivors that they've been heard and understood."

His predecessor, Anthony Apuron, was suspended following accusations of abusing minors and helping hide similar abuses by priests and other Catholic authority figures in Guam. The allegations date back decades.

The allegations have resulted in the Church in Guam becoming buried under "a mound of lawsuits."

Keith Talbot, a lawyer for the Church, said the decision to file bankruptcy grew out of information from mediation sessions that began in September.

"Bankruptcy does two really good things for us.

"One is finality for the archdiocese going forward," Talbot said.

As part of the process, a judge will set a deadline — effectively a kind of statute of limitations — for claimants to come forward with any new lawsuits.

"The other part is that bankruptcy is the method to deliver the greatest measure of justice to the greatest number of victims."

Leander James, a lawyer representing several alleged victims agrees with Talbot.

"I think this bankruptcy was necessary to create an avenue toward a final settlement," James said.

"It will also provide the archdiocese with a road out of this dark jungle it's been in. For years now, they've been trying to find their way out. I think this may provide that path."

The Guam diocese is not alone in filing for Section 11 bankruptcy.

So far at least 19 dioceses and religious orders have been reported to have filed — or announced their intention to file — for bankruptcy protection in the US in efforts to settle sexual abuse claims, according to Catholic watchdog BishopAccountability.org.

To date, claims of clergy sex abuse have cost the Church more than $3 billion in major settlements and awards doled out to alleged victims.

Source

• National Public Radio
• AP
• Image: NBC News

The abuse is alleged to have happened over decades.

In a letter acknowledging a debt of justice, new Guam Archbishop Michael Byrnes (pictured) confirmed the Church's plans to enter into mediation talks.

Byrnes, in a letter, says mediation is a tangible sign the Church knows "a wrong has been done."

He described the mediation as "meaningful" and said more is needed with respect to Church investigations, processes and procedures.

Sources

• RNZ
• Image: Indian Express

Anthony S. Apuron lost his position in the wake of sexual abuse claims.

Apuron left Guam in 2016 after accusations that he sexually assaulted four altar boys when he was a priest.

His nephew, Mark Apuron, later accused him of raping him in a chancery bathroom nearly three decades ago, when the boy was still a teenager.

At the Rome function Apuron dressed in his bishop's robes.

He joined cardinals and bishops as they heard a speech by Pope Francis.

The Pope spoke at the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Neocatechumenal Way (NCW) in Tor Vergata.

The Vatican stripped Apuron of his title title following a canonical trial in March.

It found him guilty of unspecified allegations.

The Vatican had imposed the penalties of privation of office upon him and prohibition of residence in the Archdiocese of Agana.

Apuron is appealing the case.

If successful, he could have his title reinstated.

Apuron has maintained his innocence.

Neocatechumenal Way links

Guam blogger, Tim Rohr, says he believes Apuron's attendance at the NCW event shows that the former archbishop made a deal to "take care of him."

The church in Guam stopped the formation of new NCW communities last year.

It is reviewing the way the NCW celebrates the Eucharist.

Apuron had secretly deeded a seminary property to NCW leaders.

He had refused to comply with the Holy See's instructions to rescind and annul the deed.

The property, later returned, is to be sold to help the archdiocese raise money for the settlement of more than 150 child sexual abuse lawsuits.

Source:

• Guam Daily Post
• La Croix International
• Image: La Croix International

Further sexual abuse claims

Sources:

• Pacific Daily News
• Catholic News Agency
• Image credit: Public domain

Writing in Pacific Daily News, Haidee Eugenio says you can also spot him with other clergy in the food court of the Micronesia Mall in Dededo. Or having his hair cut just like anyone else.

"I hope that people will remember that I am approachable," he said. "In places like Detroit, I could go incognito. I really can't here."

He does not drive a fancy car. He usually does not have an entourage. He offered the chancery and the archbishop's residence to be among those properties that can be sold to help compensate victims of clergy sex abuses.

Given that he has lived most of his life in Detroit, where freezing temperatures are common some months, living on the tropical island of Guam means a lot of adjustments.

In October, one year after his arrival, he told Kuam News' Krystal Paco, "I'm at a lot of firsts. The first thing was getting over the shock of coming to a place I've never been before.

"I remember getting up that very first morning and one of the first things I had was a meeting with the lawyers."

Then, there were only 20 clergy sexual abuse lawsuits lodged against the Archdiocese of Agãna, now there are 140 and counting. "That's been a constant source of distress," said the archbishop. "I'd love to be able to do more. I just don't know the venue for it.

"I think once we're through with the legal case, we'll have a greater freedom to extend more pastoral care."

Byrnes is working at bringing people back to church with stronger faith than they had before.

With his groups of advisers and people he has met along the way, he is leading efforts to rebuild trust in the church. He says hope and healing ultimately come from one's faith in God.

"There's still brokenness but everything can be overcome," he said.

"I hope we can lead the church in Guam to kind of recover its mission and also even just to figure out what that specific mission is," he said.

Source

• Pacific Daily News
• Kuam News
• Image: Kuam News

On Sunday priests across the island prayed for peace and a "just resolution of differences." Continue reading

He also asked them to celebrate Mass in accordance with the Catholic Church's general instructions and norms.

Byrnes said he intends to appoint a priest delegate to review the Neocatechumenal Way's basic pastoral theology principles or teachings, ensure the group's catechists are sufficiently formed and certified and help the archbishop discern the effects of these efforts.

An now David Sablan, president of Concerned Catholics of Guam, has written letters and made phone calls to leaders of the Catholic church on Saipan, Chuuk, Palau and other islands warning them off the Neocatechumenal Way.

He says the Neocatechumenal Way is at the root of all the problems the Church in Guam is experiencing.

He alleges the Neocatechumenal Way:

• Lacks a valid mandate from the pope
• Celebrates Masses in a way that does not conform to the general instruction of the Roman missal.
• Uses of Catholic church and parish resources while it does not conform to canon law.

"We strongly suggest that you do not allow this heretical sect to enter your diocese," he said.

"They have caused so much division within our Archdiocese of Agãna, pitting family members against each other, when some members of a family join the NCW while other members continue to practice their Catholic faith in the way their parents and grandparents have raised them,"

Last Father Jeffrey San Nicolas, the delegate for Archbishop Savio Hon Tai Fai, said , "I am hopeful that the strings disproportionately empowering the national and international leadership of the to interfere with our local affairs will be cut."

"If the Neocatechumenal Way is to minister to the faithful, let it happen organically, not through force or manipulation."

"Source

• pacificnewscenter.com
• guampdn.com
• guampdn.com
• Image: gannett.cdn.com

In a news conference with his nine-member archdiocese finance council, Archbishop Michael J. Byrnes said the funds will become available as soon as the archdiocese has put in place an administrator who will be supported by an independent third party.

After these are in place, Byrnes said victims can contact the administrator directly. He added victims' confidentiality will be respected.

To date, 24 victims have filed a lawsuit for clergy child sexual abuse against the archdiocese of Agana in Guam. Continue reading

He is presiding over the church tribunal hearing the case against Archbishop Anthony Apuron, who faces multiple allegations of sex abuse of altar boys in the 1970s.

Apuron has denied the claims and has not been criminally charged.

The Guam archdiocese said the Cardinal left the Pacific island U.S. territory on Saturday after meeting this week with witnesses.

Burke is a canon lawyer and former prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, the Holy See's highest court.

He currently serves as the chaplain of the Knights of Malta, where he has clashed with the Holy See over the removal of the Grand Chancellor of the Knights.

He is also one of four cardinals who signed the controversial dubia, a letter asking Pope Francis to clarify parts of his apostolic exhortation "Amoris Laetitia".

Some have interpreted the decision to send Burke to Guam as a punishment but Burke has denied that interpretation in a new interview with Italian TV.

The TV outlet reports that it was the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, not Pope Francis, who entrusted him with the assignment.

Francis didn't even know about it until Burke was already in Guam.

"The pope has never spoken to me about this responsibility," Burke said.

"I've communicated exclusively with the superiors at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which is the usual procedure in these cases."

Source

• cruxnow.com
• nzherald.co.nz
• catholicnewsagency.com
• Image: a57.foxnews.com

But he failed to heed the calls, and the subsequent public allegations that Apuron sexually abused Agat altar boys in the 1970s made matters worse for him, Hon said.

Hon said the January 2015 pastoral visit to Guam by himself, Archbishop Martin Krebs and the Rev. Tadeusz Nowak included checking on the November 2014 allegation by California resident John Toves that Apuron sexually abused Toves' cousin.

Hon said he came up with recommendations to help the Archbishop improve his pastoral governance and unify the church on island.

"Unfortunately, 17 months later when I returned here, very little, almost none, has been done," Hon said.

Among Hon's recommendations were:

• Give time to sit down and talk to his own priests at the Archdiocese of Hagåtña.
• Involve more people in decision-making for the archdiocese. "I was suggesting, even inviting some sisters or lay people to be there (decision-making body)," said Hon.
• Set certain goals, such as when the archdiocese was about to mark the 50th year of its foundation as a diocese in 2015 and when Apuron was about to reach the age of 70 also in 2015.
• Avoid favouritism towards one group. (Apuron is a member of the Neocatechumenal Way, whose practices and beliefs are in conflict with the majority of Catholics on Guam).
• Ensure constant communication with the Holy See, through Archbishop Martin Krebs, the Vatican's delegate in the Pacific islands.

Hon said Apuron also didn't follow multiple instructions by the Holy See as early as 2015 to rescind and annul a deed restriction that gives the Redemptoris Mater Seminary and a theological institute, both controlled by the Neocatechumenal Way, the legal right to use church property indefinitely.

Source

• guampdn.com
• Image: kuam.images.worldnow.com

He added he also is aware that he will have to bring about "healing to those who said they have been abused."

"I have heard there are protests outside the cathedral with signs saying, ‘Defrock Apuron,'" Archbishop Byrnes said. "At the same time, there are those who are saying, ‘No, I think he's innocent.'"

The phenomenon is not uncommon. "It's the same thing in a parish when a priest leaves. People have to take a stand, or they think they do," Archbishop Byrnes.His assignment is permanent, he told CNS.

Even though Guam is a U.S. territory, it falls under the geographical jurisdiction of a CEPAC. "I don't even know where they meet," Archbishop Byrnes said. "I've got a lot to learn."

Byrnes told CNS his appointment is permanent.

"I'm here until I retire or until the pope says he needs me elsewhere."

He is scheduled to arrive on Guam Monday, Nov. 28 along with Archbishop Martin Krebs, the Apostolic Nuncio for the Pacific islands.

They will join Archbishop Savio Hon Tai Fai and Guam's clergy in a private day of recollection and Mass Monday

A Prayer for the beginning of Byrnes episcopal ministry will be held on Wednesday 30 at the Cathedral-Basilica in Hagatna.

In the evening the first of novena of Masses honouring Santa Marian Kamalen will be celebrated.

It will be the first public Mass to be celebrated by Byrnes in Guam.

Byrnes will spend a few weeks on the island, then return to Detroit to gather more of his things. "I'm going to miss my friends," he said. "I'm going to miss winter."

He is taking no chances in asserting his control over the Redemptoris Mater Seminary. He filed a complaint on November 18 in the superior court against any others who might try to claim ownership over the seminary.

The filings state it is meant to be an ancillary measure to protect and preserve the plaintiff - Archbishop Byrnes' - rights with regard to the Yona properties, and that any future claimants, including members of the Neocatechumenal Way, have no enforceable legal or equity interest.

The court action follows document filings at land management last week in which Byrnes also asserted control over the seminary and removed the previous board made up of members from the Neocatechumenal Way.

Source

• catholicphilly.com
• umatuna.org
• kuam.com
• Image: iytimg.com

Some consider him to be an "outsider". Guam will be Byrnes' first long-term assignment out of Detroit, Michigan.

"I wonder about the prudence of Rome when I heard about this. It goes to show that the people that are advising Pope Francis just have absolutely no idea about Guam," said Attorney David Lujan.

Lujan is representing alleged victims of clergy sex abuse including those filing lawsuits against the church and Archbishop Anthony Apuron.

"I think it's offensive that Rome selects someone from Detroit of all places, and a white person at that, to send that person to Guam, really, to sort of shepherd us when we got numerous brown priests that were born here, that grew up here, that know the people of Guam and are part of the people of Guam, whether they're Chamorros or Filipinos..."

"We have more than enough qualified leadership in the local clergy who Rome should have contemplated. So that's my reaction to this coadjutor. I can't wait to see him served," Lujan said.

Hon Tai Fai said newly Byrnes should never be considered an "outsider"

"Archbishop Byrnes may not be given, in one instance, 'infused' knowledge of every detail of our island but he is generally informed about the current situation of the local Church and is ready, as expressed humbly by himself, to learn more from the people of God on Guam, whether they be clergy, religious, or lay," Hon said in a Nov. 3 congratulatory message to Byrnes.

While there was initial apprehension among some community members about Byrnes' selection, there is also expressed relief from some lay groups such as the Concerned Catholics of Guam, which said the appointment of a coadjutor archbishop means Apuron is on his way out.

Another group of Catholics, the Laity Forward Movement, said it will continue to lead the picket in front of the cathedral-basilica even after Byrnes has arrived on island and so long as Apuron holds the title of archbishop.

"We welcome the pope's decision to designate a replacement for Apuron," Laity Forward Movement President Lou Klitzkie said on Monday. "Apuron must be removed from the Archdiocese of Agana."

Source

• guampdn.com
• guampdn.com
• guampdn.com
• Image: umatuna.org

Pacific News Center reports the Church has delivered the petition calling on Governor Eddie Calvo to veto the bill to his office.

It collected 4,500 signatures in four days for the petition.

Hon stated in his decree he rescinded and annulled Apuron's decree, "After seven days of consultation and reflection, with deep concern for the best interests of the Archdiocese of Agana, particularly for the promotion of reconciliation and deeper communion of all members of this particular church."

Apuron issued the decree June 7. It was to take affect on 14 June.

The decree made the Concerned Catholics of Guam a prohibited society.

It stated that all members of the faithful in and of the archdiocese, clerical or lay, are to:

• Avoid association with this organization
• Refrain from signing, or otherwise promoting, acts or other measures of that organization
• Renounce membership, or any other position, within that organization
• Refrain from speaking, publicly or privately, on behalf of that organization."

Group official David Sablan called Apuron's decree a gag order. He described his organization as "concerned Catholics seeking the truth."

Concerned Catholics' members include churchgoers who have publicly questioned some of Apuron's decisions.

They have questioned the transfer of control of a prime piece of real estate to a board of which the archbishop is a minority.

They have also called for the Archbishop to step down after allegation of sexual abuse three men accused Apuron of sexually abusing them while they were minors in the 1970s and Apuron was a parish priest.

Apuron has denied all the allegations

Hon Tai Fai is the Vatican appointed temporary administrator of the the Archdiocese.

He said in a statement that the archdiocese will take the situation into "serious consideration".

He will present his findings to the Vatican which has final authority in cases related to bishops

Source

• guampdn.com
• abcnews.go.com
• nzherald.co.nz
• Image: www.gannett-cdn.com

The protesters were from the Concerned Catholics of Guam (CCOG) and the Laity Forward Movement (LFM).

This is the latest episode in a long running conflict which has divided Catholics in Guam.

It has been alleged that the Neocatechumenal Way has an undue influence on the Catholic church in Guam.

Gennarini has been accused of manipulating Archbishop Anthony Apuron into giving away the Redemptoris Mater Seminary, to the Neocatechumenal Way.

The Seminary is located in a building that had previously been an hotel.

Apuron claims that a deed of restriction, filed secretly with the Department of Land Management, in November 2011, did not transfer ownership and control of the seminary property.

"I think that Chamorros are very welcoming people but I think we're also tired of being walked all over and being abused by this archbishop and this diocese," says Vangie Lujan, a member of the Concerned Catholics of Guam.

A representative of the of the Neocatechumenal Way, Fr. Edivaldo da Silva Olivera claimed that the protesters represented less than one percent of the Catholics on Guam.

"They do not represent the Catholics, the ones who are here, very few, of course, few people make noise but we are not disturbed by it," he said.

Edivaldo, who comes from Brazil, is Pastor of Nuestra Señora de la Paz y Buen Viaje [Our Lady of Peace and Safe Journey] Catholic Church in Chalan Pago.

He is also a Professor of Theology at the Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Yoña.

Source

• postguam.com
• pacificnewscenter
• Image: postguam.com