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Archbishop Hon Details Some of the Biggest Issues He Faces

By Krystal Paco
KUAM
July 29, 2016

http://www.kuam.com/story/32569743/2016/07/Friday/archbishop-hon-details-some-of-the-biggest-issues-he-faces



He's been on the job as Guam's interim archbishop for over a month. While he's expected to make right the wrongs of the previous church administration, apostolic administrator Archbishop Savio Hon Tai Fai says he has plenty of work ahead of him.

It's a multimillion dollar question: who owns the Redemptoris Mater Seminary? According to the Vatican-appointed apostolic administrator, the Yona property is owned by the Archdiocese of Agana. "The archdiocese owns that property. No doubt of it. And then there's a certain ambiguity who has the right to use it. And on this matter, I'm going to have a review of it," Archbishop Hon stated.

Hon isn't new to Guam. He was here on island last year with Reverend Father Tadeusz Nowak and Archbishop Martin Krebs. Back then, he observed issues with communication at the Agana archdiocese, an issue he says still needs to be worked on today. "We recognized certain difficulties in this archdiocese in terms of communications, within the church or the church with the society," he stated.

Hon's appointment as Guam's interim archbishop follows allegations of molestation against Archbishop Anthony Apuron, who has since been placed on leave. Hon tells KUAM News he continues to reach out to the alleged victims. He also clarifies he wasn't aware he was in the presence of one of the alleged victims who was picketing outside the Hagatna Cathedral moments before Sunday morning mass. "Unfortunately at that time I did not notice the presence of Mr. Walter Denton, so I did not ignore him. I'm sorry if by chance I could not recognize him or did not realize he was there. Create certain pain to him, I'm sorry for that," he apologize.

Earlier this week Hon held a press conference to retract previous statements, calling Apuron's alleged victims liars who were out to oust Apuron and destroy the Catholic Church. Instead, Hon offered an opposite message: that the church would take all allegations seriously and have revised church policy in the event the archbishop stands as the accused.

According to the $2 million dollar libel and slander suit against the archdiocese and Apuron, plaintiffs allege such statements were prepared and released by Father Edvilado Olivieras. According to Hon, there's no proof Father Edivaldo was ever appointed the church's official spokesperson.

Hon confirms he's met with representatives of the Concerned Catholics of Guam organization, as well as members of the Neocatechumenal Way and hopes to continue meetings in order to address their concerns and complete his mission of restoring unity to Guam's church. "Unity is not something you click and then you get it because unfortunately, many people were wounded," he professed. "Without healing or reconciliation and you simply say 'unity', you will not have it all. It takes time to heal the wounds.

"When the wounds are lessened and when we all learn some lessons, then we know how precious the unity."

 

 

 

 

 




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