GUAM
KUAM
By Sabrina Salas Matanane
Former Guam resident John Toves is back on island. Toves was the first person to come forward making allegations of sex abuse against Archbishop Anthony Apuron. In 2014 he arrived on island accusing the Archbishop of abusing his cousin when he was a seminarian. His relative however never came forward and the allegation was never investigated.
Toves attended a mass held on Thursday by the Apostolic Administrator Archbishop Savio Tai Fai Hon. The Archbishop was appointed by the Pope sede plena to take temporary control of the Archdiocese of Agana.
During his homily the Archbishop outlined his task assigned by the Pope while here on Guam. He told those in attendance at St. Anthony Church in Tamuning that Archbishop Apuron keeps his title but he will not make any decisions about the diocese and should cooperate in total serene and fulfillment of the Apostolic Administrators mandate.
He also explained that when an Apostolic Administrator is appointed “sede plena” it means that the Holy Father and a particular diocesan bishop have decided together that for whatever reason is no longer available or fit for the function and will take leave. The diocesan bishop is then relieved of pastoral responsibility and all administrative authority of their Church. The Pope then takes over the church and appoints an Apostolic Administrator to act on his behalf.
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