HAGåTñA (GUAM)
RNZ [Wellington, NZ]
July 12, 2024
By Naina Rao
Guam’s Archdiocese of Agana’s new leader, Bishop Ryan Jimenez, prepares to take on the role of archbishop as the institution has been dealing with sexual abuse allegations involving clergy members.
Bishop Jimenez, 52, who spent nearly 20 years in Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands, was appointed by the Vatican to become the Archbishop of Agana.
He will officially begin his new role on 15 August, filling the vacancy left by former Archbishop Michael Jude Byrnes, who resigned in March 2023 due to a serious illness. The announcement was made on 6 July.
“When you’re new in your role, whatever leadership role, take the time to get to know people, the staff, the priests, the deacons, that community,” Jimenez said during a Tuesday news briefing with local media.
“I imagine myself visiting parishes, engaging in a conversation, and not make drastic changes.”
Jimenez expects mid-April of 2025 to implement any kind of leadership adjustments in the Archdiocese “if there are urgent changes that need to be made.”
The archdiocese has faced significant turmoil in recent years, including sexual abuse accusations that led to a bankruptcy filing.
In 2016, former altar servers alleged sexual abuse by priests and other clergy members dating back to the 1950s. This led to a Vatican tribunal finding former Archbishop Anthony Apuron guilty of sexually abusing minors.
The archdiocese is now finalising a $34 million settlement for the civil suit filed by 280 plaintiffs, mostly from former altar servers.
The settlement involves the sale of prime archdiocese properties to cover costs.
“We’re in the stage of implementing what needs to be implemented – that much I know. So, it’s a continuing work,” Jimenez said.
When asked about his knowledge of the case, Jimenez admitted he “would ask a lifeline here,” adding that he’ll take his time to study and pray over, “so that the Holy Spirit will guide me in understanding, if there is any decision I have to make that I can make justly.”
What Jimenez is surely committed to is continuing the work of healing and reconciliation.
He emphasised the importance of rebuilding public trust through dialogue and understanding.
“It’s important for me that, that should always be at the forefront. Not to lose sight of that,” Jimenez said.
“But I believe as someone new, I would be doing injustice to the church if I would even comment, or I would say ‘do this right away’. I need to study, learn, [and] engage in a dialogue with people. Get to know the team, the staff, and all of that.”
Currently, the bishop of the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa on Saipan, Jimenez began his journey as a migrant worker from the Philippines, teaching at a Catholic school on Rota.
He is the second archbishop appointed to Guam by Pope Francis in eight years.