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Church protests continue in Hagåtña
By Neil Pang
Protests continued at the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral Basilica yesterday, July 17 as more than 40 combined members of the Concerned Catholics of Guam (CCOG), Laity Forward Movement (LFM) and Silent No More groups gathered once again on the front steps to show their continued resolve. While each group started with different, but related agendas, developments in the child sex-abuse scandal has led to a unified front with the desire to see Archbishop Anthony Apuron defrocked. "We are using this public forum as a way to get our message out that we are serious, that we are active and that we are putting words and prayers into action. If you want to know what our issues are, just come out here," said Vanjie Lujan of CCOG. Continuing mission According to group members, as inaction and platitudes continue to be the only things out of the archdiocese, members of the various laity groups have continued in their mission to press for meaningful dialogue and steps toward addressing their concerns. With little power themselves, the groups are using the only outlet available them. "We are not trying to confuse the issue. I feel like we do it here, at our mother church, because this is the head – the example that should be set for how we should be acting as Christians," Lujan said. Lujan and others are prepared to continue the protest for as long as it takes for them to see what they regard as significant action. "Show us that you are listening to the laity," Lujan said. Lou Klitzkie of LFM spoke animatedly about her group of "old ladies" who have been participating in and organizing prayer rallies, picketing and protests all in an effort to, as she stated, "get their church back." The group of about 10 meets weekly to plan events to spread their concern for the direction of the Catholic Church in Guam.
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