Hon: All documents sent to Holy See

By Jojo Santo Tomas
Pacific Daily News
June 27, 2016

http://www.guampdn.com/story/news/2016/06/26/hon-all-documents-sent-holy-see/86400816/

Archbishop Savio Tai Fai Hon addresses clerymen and other Catholic faithfuls during a prayer gathering at the Saint Anthony and Saint Victor Catholic Church in Tamuning on Thursday, June 9.

In an announcement released Sunday afternoon, Archbishop Savio Hon Tai Fai stated that all relevant documentation has been sent to those who will render a final decision.

Hon, appointed by Pope Francis as apostolic administrator for the Archdiocese of Agana on June 6, arrived in Guam in early June to oversee church operations.

His arrival comes in the wake of allegations of sexual misconduct against Archbishop Anthony Apuron made by former altar boys who served in Agat almost 40 years ago.

Apuron remains Guam’s archbishop and has not been charged with any crime.

In the June 26 announcement, Hon collectively names accusers Walter Denton, Doris Concepcion, Roy Quintanilla and Roland Sondia, who made his accusations a week after Hon arrived. Hon also offered his personal prayers for all parties involved.

“… all of the relevant documentation received by the Church related to these allegations has been duly sent to the Holy See, which has final authority in cases related to Bishops,” said Hon in the statement. “I would further like to assure everyone that I have recognized the issues raised by all those concerned and, being deeply moved by the way they expressed themselves, am earnestly praying for them, without prejudice to both the alleged victims and the accused and ask for the prayers and support of the entire Church community.”

David Sablan, vice president of the Concerned Catholics of Guam which represents many Catholic faithful, says Hon’s latest update is simply “Not good enough.”

“That doesn’t tell us anything. OK, so he says that documents have been sent to Rome. So what? Walter Denton’s documents have been sent to Rome since August,” said Sablan. “It’s the same thing we’ve heard from Apuron, Father Quitugua and Father Adrian. We want transparency? Who is handling it? What issues can we expect? Where is Archbishop Apuron? The faithful need to have information.

“We don’t want more of the same things we’ve been getting, ever since we started bringing up these issues.”