Changes in the Catholic Church

By Sabrina Salas Matanane
KUAM
June 30, 2016

http://www.kuam.com/story/32341495/2016/06/30/changes-in-the-catholic-church


Fr. Adrian Cristobal has been replaced as Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Agana. According to a media release, Archbishop Savio Hon Ta Fai announced that the new Chancellor is Rev. Father Jose Antonio “Lito” Abad. Additionally Archbishop Hon appointed Rev. Father Jeffrey San Nicolas as Delegate of the Administrator. This means that he will be assuming responsibilities similar to those of the Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia.

According to the press release Archbishop Hon made the appointments after speaking personally with all of the local Clergy and many other members of the local church. “It was the result of the weekly meetings of the Presbyteral Council of the Archdiocese and must be seen as a collegial effort for the purpose of promoting unity and stability in the local Church.

According to the Archdiocese of Agana website the following individuals comprise the Presybteral Council:

Msgr. David C. Quitugua, JCD

Fr. Adrian Cristobal

Msgr. Brigido Arroyo

Msgr. David I.A. Quitugua

Very Rev. Joseph English, O.F.M., Cap.

Fr. Jose “Lito” Antonio Abad

Fr. Patrick Castro, O.F.M., Cap.

Fr. Jose Alberto Rodriguez

Fr. Agustin Gumataotao, O.F.M., Cap.

Fr. Jeffrey San Nicolas

Fr. Thomas B. McGrath, S.J.

The appointments of Fr. Jeffrey and Fr. Abad take effect today. They are scheduled to make their public Profession of Faith and Oath of Fidelity during the Prayer Meeting for Unity on Saturday, July 2nd, at 7:30 p.m. at Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica. All of the Clergy, Consecrated Religious, and Lay Faithful are cordially invited and encouraged to attend, the press release stated.

On June 6th, the Pope appointed Archbishop Hon as the Apostolic Administrator for the local archdiocese amid sexual molestation accusations made against Archbishop Anthony Apuron. Apuron in a video message a day later said he requested the appointment and denied allegations of sexual abuse. He has repeatedly said he is the victim of a vicious smear campaign to oust him.