Interim archbishop arrives, sets priorities for archdiocese

By Louella Losinio
Guam Daily Post
June 8, 2016

http://www.postguam.com/news/local/interim-archbishop-arrives-sets-priorities-for-archdiocese/article_1eeeb402-2d5e-11e6-978f-cb8f2fe5c273.html

ACCUSER: Walter Denton spoke in a press conference in front of the pastoral office at the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica in Hagåtña on Tuesday, alleging that he was sexually molested in April 1977 by Archbishop Anthony Apuron, who was a parish priest at that time. Photo by Matt Weiss

The Vatican’s newly appointed apostolic administrator of the Archdiocese of Agana, Archbishop Savio Hon Tai Fai has announced his priorities as he temporarily takes over administration of the Archdiocese of Agana.

In a news release issued by the archdiocese yesterday, Archbishop Savio Hon Tai Fai said his priority is to take stock of the present pastoral situation of the diocese and to identify the difficulties present among the clergy, religious and lay faithful.

Savio also said he will take “urgent” measures, at the earliest, in order to promote and restore unity and harmony in the local Catholic Church.

“The Apostolic administrator, after carefully discerning the needs of the archdiocese will take all necessary decisions to assure that this goal is being implemented,” he said.

He also confirmed his appointment stating that the pope, in his concern for the good of the whole church and with due consideration for the good of the faithful in Guam, has temporarily entrusted him with the administration of the Archdiocese of Agana.

In the release, he said he will be assisted by Rev. Tadeusz Jan Nowak.

“The Holy Father kindly asks for the trust and prayers of the local Church and sincerely hopes that the entire Catholic community will put all of its energy in promoting unity, harmony, and stability of the Church,” the archbishop said.

Savio was named "apostolic administrator" sede plena for the Archdiocese of Agana by the Vatican on Monday following an announcement that Pope Francis had relieved Archbishop Anthony Apuron of his duties and appointed an interim administrator for the archdiocese.

The pope’s appointment of the administrator came amid the successive disclosures of alleged sexual abuse by Apuron, including alleged victim Walter Denton, who made his accusations publicly this week.

Denton spoke in a press conference in front of the pastoral office at the Cathedral Basilica on Tuesday, alleging that he was sexually molested in April 1977 by Apuron, who was a parish priest at that time.

According to a release from the archdiocese on Monday, the appointment followed a request from Apuron for an apostolic administrator pending the investigation of the abuse allegations.

A source close to the matter confirmed the apostolic administrator had arrived on Guam yesterday.

Savio’s appointment came two days after the Vatican issued new legal procedures to remove bishops if they were negligent in addressing sex abuse cases by priests.