Hon asks Pope to remove Apuron as archbishop of Agana

By Krystal Paco
KUAM
September 17, 2016

http://www.kuam.com/story/33118481/2016/09/Saturday/hon-asks-pope-to-remove-apuron-as-archbishop-of-agana

Guam's Apostolic Administrator Archbishop Savio Hon Tai Fai is hoping to put the brakes on Substitute Bill 326. Recently passed on session floor, the legislation would lift the civil statute of limitations for child sex abuse cases. In a message read to churchgoers over the weekend, entitled Putting the house in order without burning it down, Archbishop Hon says the bill is retroactive therefore could have "very damaging unintended consequences, so much so that the Bill threatens vital parts of the Church mission here on Guam." 

Specifically, the Archbishop says the legislation exposes the Archdiocese to unlimited financial liability, and notes other dioceses who were forced into bankruptcy as a result of similar laws in the states. 

Church goers are asked to sign a petition at the end of mass in hopes of swaying Governor Eddie Calvo to veto the bill, but introduce legislation that would only hold abusers accountable, not institutions. 

Archbishop Hon is currently in Rome and assures he is urging the Holy See to remove Archbishop Anthony Apuron as Archbishop of Agana and to appoint a successor. According to Hon, he and the Presbyteral Council of the Archdiocese of Agana presented a letter to Apuron asking him to resign. That was unsuccessful and has forced Hon to call on the Holy See to remove Apuron. 

"I can assure you that the gravely serious allegations against Archbishop Apuron will continue to be dealt with by the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, which will hold a canonical trial. His Holiness, Pope Francis, is monitoring the proceedings."

Hon says he continues to apologize to survivors of sexual abuse everywhere who have suffered at the hands of clergy and although the acts cannot be undone, the church remains committed to helping them heal in body and soul. A trust fund is being established to provide survivors with financial compensation for all they have gone through. He notes he's also established a Task Force to heighten awareness about protecting children as well as strengthening policies and protocols. 

"I submit that we must do these things without destroying all the good being done for our community by our Church, both laity and clergy, today." 

In recent months, six alleged victims have surfaced. They are Roy Quintanilla, Walter Denton, Doris Concepcion on behalf of her late son Joseph "Sonny" Quinata, Roland Sondia, Leo Tudela and Ramon Afaisen De Plata.