Vatican names new administrator for Guam archdiocese amid allegations

By Sabrina Salas Matanane
KUAM
June 6, 2016

http://www.kuam.com/story/32152471/2016/06/06/vatican-names-new-administrator-for-guam-archdiocese-amid-allegations

Catholic World News reports that Archbishop Savio Tai Fai Hon has been appointed by the Pope as apostolic administrator of the Archdiocese of Agana.  The article on catholiculture.org states the appointment follows recent abuse allegations that were made against  Archbishop Anthony Apuron.

In the past two weeks, two people have come forward alleging sexual molestation. Roy Quintanilla alleged he was sexually abused by the Archbishop when he was an altar server at Mt. Carmel Church in Agat where Apuron was a priest at the time.  His story, prompted former Guam resident Doris Concepcion to break her silence after more than a decade. She said her son while on his death bed told her too had been molested when Apuron was a priest in Agat. Like Quintanilla, her son was an altar server. The Archbishop has denied the allegations.  

During a recent press conference held by Deacon Steven Martinez, a former Sex Abuse Response Coordinator for the Archdiocese of Agana, said the local church’s sex abuse policy was “flawed” and claimed the Archbishop purposely kept the policy weak.  According to the Archdiocese of Agana’s sex abuse policy the Archbishop has control of all investigations.

Catholic World News reports that Archbishop Hon, as apostolic administrator “has been given temporary authority to govern the archdiocese”.

According to news files Archbishop Hon visited Guam in January 2015 as part of what the Archdiocese called a “pastoral visit”.  Archbishop Hon was accompanied by Reverend Father Tadeusz Nowak, and Archbishop Martin Krebs.  Local blogger Tim Rohr, however, suspected that the visit was part of an investigation into the Archdiocese.

KUAM received a press release from the Archdiocese of Agana Media Relations Fr. Edivaldo da Silva Oliveira. The release states the appointment of Archbishop Hon was at the request of Archbishop Apuron “pending the investigation of an abuse allegation”. The release states that the appointment of an apostolic administrator “sede plena” means that while the administrator will discharge the archdiocesan pastoral duties, Archbishop Apuron remains the Archbishop of Agana. “The Archdiocese and the Archbishop warmly welcome Archbishop Hon to Guam,” the release added.

The Archdiocese has argued that the Archbishop is the victim of a malicious smear campaign because of his efforts to clean up the church.