Apostolic Administrator Addresses Island's Faithful

By Sabrina Salas Matanane
KUAM
June 9, 2016

http://www.kuam.com/story/32181083/2016/06/09/apostolic-administrator-addresses-islands-faithful

[with video]


The new temporary leader of the Archdiocese of Agana, Archbishop Savio Tai Fai Hon, met with local clergy, religious and dedicated lay faithful this afternoon as part of a mass at St. Anthony's Church in Tamuning. Archbishop Hon was appointed by the Pope on Monday as the apostolic administrator of the Archdiocese of Agana amid sex abuse allegations against Archbishop Anthony Apuron.

Archbishop Hon delivered his homily with a message of love and unity. He explained what his responsibilities are as apostolic administrator. He said that although Archbishop Apuron is still archbishop, he will not make any decisions about the archdiocese and should cooperate in total fulfillment of the apostolic administration. He asked that as he fulfills his task and mission that each and everyone present during the mass and outside put their energy toward unity of the church.

Archbishop Hon has been tasked by the Pope to take stock of the present pastoral situation of the diocese, to identify the difficulties present among the clergy, religious and lay faithful and to take urgent measures, at the earliest, in order to promote and restore unity and harmony in the local church.

After carefully discerning the archdiocese needs he will take all necessary actions to assure that that goal is implemented.

Parishioners from Barrigada and Santa Rita reacted to the call for unity with hope.

Meanwhile, KUAM News spotted John Toves at the mass. Toves, who lives in California, came to Guam in 2014 and accused the archbishop of sexually abusing his cousin when he was a seminarian. His cousin, however, never came forward and therefore the church did not investigate the allegation.