Yigo Mayor Dismayed at Media "Ambush" of Archbishop

By Janela Buhain Carrera
Pacific News Center
August 8, 2014

http://www.pacificnewscenter.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=47647:yigo-mayor-dismayed-at-media-qambushq-of-archbishop&catid=45:guam-news&Itemid=156

Guam - The local community and victims advocate organizations are calling on Archbishop Anthony Apuron to answer to questions regarding sexual abuse allegations and the removal of Monsignor James Benavente from the Agana Cathedral rectory.

Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests or SNAP issued a statement this morning blasting Apuron for allowing an accused child molester, Father John Howard Wadeson, to work for the Archdiocese of Agana and then recommending him to the San Francisco Archdiocese.

They called his behavior “reckless” and demanded “concrete action.”

Joelle Casteix of SNAP said in a statement, “How can Apuron claim to be a good and pastoral shepherd to his flock when he knowingly allowed a known predator to have a position of great power?”

SNAP also noted in their statement that Father Wadeson isn’t the only scandal affecting the Church, but the public outcry against the Archbishop for making allegations of financial mismanagement.

PNC attempted to get a statement from the Archbishop today after he concluded a memorial mass for the Chagui’an Massare.//

PNC: "Were you at least aware of the allegations that were made?"

Archbishop Apuron: "There were no allegations."

Meanwhile, Yigo Mayor Rudy Matanane expressed his disappointment at the media for bringing those same issues to a sacred memorial event that honors World War II heroes.

"This is sacred ground and this function is for a mass to remember and the archbishop was here to do his part and it’s an insult to me because I’m the leader of this village and this is my function," said Matanane.