Quitugua resigns as archbishop advisor

By Haidee V Eugenio
Pacific Daily News
June 20, 2017

http://www.guampdn.com/story/news/2017/06/20/quitugua-resigns/407859001/

Archbishop Michael Jude Byrnes speaks during a press conference at the St. John Paul the Great Center for Evangelization on Monday, June 5, 2017. Photo by Rick Cruz

Monsignor David C. Quitugua resigned, effective June 18, as a member of Archbishop Michael Jude Byrnes' team of advisors, known as the College of Consultors, according to the Archdiocese of Agana. Byrnes asked him to step down, the Archdiocese stated.

Quitugua had been on the advisory team less than two weeks, after being appointed June 7, and his removal comes after lobbying by the Concerned Catholics of Guam, which has expressed concerns about Quitugua allegedly abusing his authority as vicar general under Archbishop Anthony Apuron.

"The Archdiocese can confirm that Monsignor David C. Quitugua is no longer a member of the College of Consultors. He was asked to resign in light of the current climate in the Church on the island. It was effective June 18, 2017," the archdiocese stated.

"I am very glad on behalf of all concerned Catholics on Guam, that David C. Quitugua resigned as a member of the College of Consultors," said Concerned Catholics President David Sablan. 

Quitugua since June 1 has been a member of the Presbyteral Council, which advises the archbishop on matters of importance. The 15-member council includes elected and appointed members. 

From among the members of the Presbyteral Council, Byrnes appointed members to serve on the College of Consultors, who are his advisors for matters regarding temporal goods of the church.

Sablan said the Concerned Catholics believe Quitugua should resign from the Presbyteral Council as well.