Archbishop Apuron Wants His Name Cleared

By Krystal Paco
KUAM
August 25, 2016

http://www.kuam.com/story/32846057/2016/08/Thursday/archbishop-apuron-wants-his-name-cleared


After months of being attacked for a deed of restriction on the multimillion dollar Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Yona, Archbishop Anthony Apuron is looking to clear his name, not only here at home but with the Holy See.

In a statement issued to KUAM News, sent through his legal counsel Attorney Jackie Terlaje, Apuron states the Pope Francis has granted his request for a canonical trial. In his defense, Apuron states past claims made by apostolic administrator Archbishop Savio Hon Tai Fai and other critics of the Yona property are causing "real, grave, and immediate damage to the church in Guam and to my good name, spreading scandal and confusion among the faithful."

While the deed of restriction is believed to hand over the RMS to the non-profit RMS Corporation and parties affiliated with the Neocatechumenal Way, Apuron contends the restriction merely blocks the sale and that if it wasn't for him, those looking to cash in would've converted the RMS from a seminary into a casino.

"I have always defended the moral life of the island opposing establishments which would bring money to few and moral misery and degradation to many," said Archbishop Apuron.

Although Archbishop Hon previously stated Apuron disobeyed the Holy See, Apuron maintains that's not the case. He wrote, "I have always obeyed the Holy Father and it is my first intention to continue to do so."