July 3, 2016 Message from the Apostolic Administrator

Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Agana
July 5, 2016

http://www.aganaarch.org/9066/july-3-2016-message-from-the-apostolic-administrator/

Archbishop Savio Hon Tai Fai, SDB, Apostolic Administrator

As the Church enters the 14^th week of Ordinary Time, the people on this island will celebrate July 4^th, America’s “Independence Day”, remembering the birth of a nation, where its citizens are asked to recite the following declaration: “I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.” I note that God is at the centre of this pledge. The Bible teaches us Christians to love our own countries and that is why American Catholics pray that “God bless America.”

This week also marks a new phase in the life of the Archdiocese of Agaña, with the appointment of a new Chancellor and a new Delegate of the Apostolic Administrator, who will assume the responsibilities of the Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia. These appointments came after speaking with all of the Clergy on the island and many other members of this local Church. It was the result of the weekly meetings of the Presbyteral Council of the Archdiocese and must be seen as a collegial effort for the purpose of promoting unity and stability in the local Church.

I would also like to add that the ad hoc committees organized last week are working hard to fulfill their mandate of providing me with information and wise council for any further decisions I may need to make in the Archdiocese. Their work is already bearing fruit with planned canonical visitations of the two Major Seminaries on the island and parish canonical visitations that will take place during the first part of July.

To all of those who are working hard and collaborating for the unity of the local Church, I continue to express my deep appreciation. I am especially indebted to those who up to now had served as Vicar General and Chancellor for their kind help during the first weeks of my administration

The process of fostering deeper communion and stability in the Archdiocese is an arduous task that requires time, patience, understanding, sacrifice and, above all, the Grace of God. And so I count on your prayerful support.

God bless you all.