Newly appointed head of Archdiocese responds to church issues

By Timothy Mchenry
Pacific News Center
November 1, 2016

http://www.pacificnewscenter.com/local/11456

Newly appointed co-adjutor archbishop Michael Byrnes responded to some of the most pressing issues and controversies surrounding the church.

One of the biggest issues is what's going to happen with Archbishop Anthony Apuron? Archbishop Byrnes says Archbishop Apuron will remain the archbishop until death or the mandatory age of retirement.

"As far as I know, I mean that's my understanding. I know the difference here is that the holy father has removed his faculty to exercise pastoral care and assigned them to me for the time being,” said Byrnes.

On Tuesday, attorney David Lujan called a press conference to announce that three of the victims who allege that Archbishop Anthony Apuron molested them while he was a priest at Mt. Carmel church in Agat filed a lawsuit against the archdiocese. Byrne responded to the allegations of molestation against archdiocesan priests.

"My first comment is, uh you know uh, is just uh, one of deep concern for the alleged victims and so that’s the first, the second is to uh you know again I only have hearsay and so ill enlist the best help we can," said Byrnes. "On their mainland the bishops have taken very strong measures to protect God’s children and so I will bring that concern to see if we can implement some of the steps and measure that we’ve taken here on the mainland.”

Lastly, Byrnes comments on the recent controversy surrounding the redemtoris mater seminary. He says he has limited knowledge of the controversy and most of the information he has gathered has been hearsay.

"To listen that’s the first plan and my main expertise is the scripture and the constant direction of the scripture is to listen to both sides before you judge. The limited knowledge. I know right now is there seems to be a taking of sides. I have no predisposition to take a side other than the side of Jesus honestly," said Byrnes.