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Archbishop Apuron Welcomes Successor's Appointment

By Haidee V Eugenio
Pacific Daily News
November 2, 2016

http://www.guampdn.com/story/news/2016/11/02/archbishop-apuron-welcomes-successors-appointment/93154080/

Archbishop Anthony Apuron

Archbishop Anthony S. Apuron on Wednesday issued a written statement, welcoming the appointment of his likely successor to the leadership of the Catholic Church on Guam, and stating he is preparing to prove his innocence in an upcoming canonical trial over his alleged sexual abuse of altar boys in the 1970s.

The Vatican on Monday announced Pope Francis' appointment of Detroit Bishop Michael Jude Byrnes as coadjutor archbishop of the Archdiocese of Agana.

Byrnes, as coadjutor archbishop, has the right to succeed Apuron if Apuron resigns, retires or is removed. Under church law, bishops are required to resign at 75.

Monsignor Michael Jude Byrnes (Photo: Courtesy of Archdiocese of Detroit)

“It is with great joy that I welcome the news of the appointment of Bishop Michael J. Byrnes as coadjutor archbishop of Agana by the Holy Father. This is a most welcome answer to my requests for help in the governance of the island at this time,” Apuron said in a statement sent Wednesday afternoon by his attorney, Jacqueline T. Terlaje.

Archbishop Savio Hon Tai Fai, who was sent to Guam by the Vatican in June to temporarily replace Apuron, said the pope actually started looking for a coadjutor archbishop in early 2015, after Hon’s visit to the island at that time.

Hon said on Tuesday that his recent request to the pope to replace Apuron was “kind of a reminder” of an earlier 2015 plan.

Hon said Apuron’s canonical trial will move forward and he expects updates about the trial soon. Apuron has been preparing for the trial.

“During this time of difficulty for Guam, in which so many hurtful things have been said, I have remained on retreat while working with the authorities in the Vatican to establish my innocence,” Apuron said in his one-page statement.

Advocates and victims' groups react

Apuron is one of 84 bishops worldwide who have been accused publicly of sexual wrongdoing, according to BishopAccountability.org, a group tracking public records involving bishops.

Canon lawyer Jennifer Haselberger, a Minnesota-based expert in church law, has said there haven't been enough trials of bishops to reach any conclusion about what penalty is normal, so it will be up to the judges to determine the penalty warranted, which she said could be dismissal from the clerical state or removal from office.

The world’s largest and oldest support group for clergy abuse victims, meanwhile, said the pope’s appointment of Byrnes is a “very good sign that Apuron’s removal is on the horizon.”

“Unfortunately, we will never know what is exposed in Apuron’s canonical trial, but it looks like the Vatican is planning for Apuron’s eventual removal or forced retirement,” Joelle Casteix, Western Regional Director of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, or SNAP, said Wednesday.

Casteix said she’s disappointed that the Vatican decided to select someone who is a complete stranger to Guam, but said she understands why Byrnes was the Vatican’s choice.

“Appointing someone who is totally removed from the current situation means that the bishop’s office can have a ‘fresh start’, so to speak. There is less of a chance of cronyism and/or loyalty to Apuron and his past actions. Unfortunately, I think that Byrnes will face a big cultural disconnect. Guam is exciting, rich, unique, and strong. It would have been a salute to the people of Guam had the Vatican chosen someone more local,” Casteix said.

The Concerned Catholics of Guam, which has long called for Apuron to be removed and defrocked, said it supports the Vatican’s appointment of a coadjutor archbishop because it signals the beginning of Apuron's removal.

“The coadjutor archbishop has full rights of succession, he is next in line to Apuron. Like I said, Archbishop Byrnes’ appointment spells the start of Apuron’s removal. As to how Archbishop Byrnes administers the church, CCOG is still cautious until we’re given an opportunity to have an audience with him so we can share our concerns and issues,” CCOG President David Sablan said.

‘Necessary absence’

The Vatican relieved Apuron of his administrative authority on June 6, a few weeks after former altar boys publicly accused Apuron of sexually abusing or raping them in the 1970s, when he was still a parish priest in Agat.

Apuron, who turned 71 on Nov. 1, has denied all the allegations, and he has not been charged with any crime.

He has also not been seen in public since early June, when he sent a video message to Guam from Rome.

Apuron said, despite his necessary absence, he offers his heartfelt thanks to “Archbishop-Designate Byrnes for accepting this appointment.”

“I commend him to the hearts and prayers of all the people of Guam, whom I know will give him the warmest of welcomes,” Apuron said.

Lawsuits

Apuron is also facing civil lawsuits on Guam for allegedly sexually abusing former altar boys under his care.

On Tuesday, four former altar boys, represented by attorney David Lujan, sued the Archdiocese of Agana, two priests and up to 50 other people. Those who publicly accused Apuron of sexual abuse or rape are Roland Sondia, 54; Walter Denton, 52; and Roy Quintanilla, 52. Another accuser, Leo Tudela, 73, has alleged abuse by former island priest Louis Brouillard, who has admitted that he sexually abused 20 or more boys on Guam.

SNAP’s Casteix said a civil lawsuit has only been one way that victims have been able to expose sex abuse and cover up crimes in dioceses across the United States.

“These suits have the potential to show victims and the world exactly what Apuron did and when and what other church officials knew about child sexual abuse. Byrnes comes from a state with very poor victim-friendly laws. I fear that he may try to employ many of the ‘scorched earth’ legal tactics that we have seen in some areas of the mainland,” Casteix said.

Casteix said the four accusers who filed the cases are strong and brave.

“They have the support of victims around the world. It is not an easy road by any stretch. But by demanding the truth and accountability, the victims are helping stop the cycle of abuse and keeping Guam’s children safer right now,” Casteix added.

The lawsuits were filed more than a month after Gov. Eddie Calvo signed into law on Sept. 23 a bill that allows victims of child sex abuse to sue their abusers, and the institutions with which they are or were associated, at any time. Guam is among the first jurisdictions in the country to lift all civil statutes of limitations on child sex abuse cases.

Contact: heugenio@guampdn.com

 

 

 

 

 




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