Archdiocese Says Parish Priest Failed to Fire Known Sex Offender

Pacific Daily News
July 22, 2013

http://www.guampdn.com/article/20130723/NEWS01/307230007

A priest was terminated from his position at the Santa Barbara Catholic Church because he failed to follow a direct order that related to the safety of children, according to the Archdiocese of Agana.

Father Paul Gofigan was asked to terminate the employment of an employee publically known to have a sex offense on his record, the Archdiocese stated.

Gofigan, in a letter he disseminated on Saturday to the Dededo parishioners said he did terminate the employee. He noted that the crime had been committed more than 32 years ago.

The Archdiocese said an investigation showed the person continued to have an active presence at the parish as a volunteer.

"The person had keys to the facilities and had an active role on church grounds in different ways," the Archdiocese stated.

Church officials stated that it has compassion for everyone, including those who've "fallen."

"However, especially in light of the painful lessons the church and all of society have had to endure in recent years -- and still endures -- we must abide by standards that will safeguard all children in our care," the Archdiocese's press release states.

"A school full of children is in very close proximity to the parish. Confraternity of Christian Doctrine students, confirmation students and other youth groups are part of the parish."

The press release also noted, in response to Gofigan's letter, that he was advised of the reasons of his termination and given an opportunity to respond.

In his letter, Gofigan said the Archbishop and his advisors were mistaken in their belief that he hadn't terminated the employee. He added that the person in question had paid his debt to society, had fully repented, and that he and his family were eager to return to the Catholic church.

He said a simple investigation and a conversation with him would have cleared the matter entirely.

The Archdiocese noted that Gofigan is still a priest with the Archdiocese of Agana. Father Dan Bien replaced Gofigan as the parochial administrator at the Dededo church.