GUAM
Pacific News Center
Written by Janela Carrera
Protesters have changed their message from “Apuron Resign” to “Defrock Apuron.”
Guam- The number of Catholic protesters has been growing in the last few weeks. They were at it again yesterday, picketing in front of the Cathedral Basilica, but this time their message was different.
During previous protests, signs read “Apuron Resign.” But yesterday, picketers held signs that read, “Defrock Apuron.”
In the church setting, defrocking of a member of the clergy would essentially remove their title, rights and ecclesiastical status.
Mary Lou Garcia-Pereda, one of the protesters, says the message has changed because the Archdiocese of Agana has failed to take action since allegations of sexual abuse surfaced against Archbishop Apuron.
“We want him to be defrocked following the four accusations of sexual molestation and with the church’s inaction, I think it’s time that he pay the ultimate price and that he be defrocked so that he won’t hae the honor of being buried in the sanctuary of the cathedral when his time comes. We don’t want him to have any kind of semblance of respect or anything, considering what he has done to the children,” explains Garcia-Pereda.
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