March 18, 2022 -- Prot. 2022-033
A TIME OF ATONEMENT, REPARATION
AND REORGANIZATION
(Click here for a signed PDF copy)
Archbishop Michael Byrnes’ message
updating the Faithful on bankruptcy
Dear brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ,
I share this letter both to update and encourage the Faithful of our Catholic Church on Guam regarding our difficult journey of bankruptcy.
First however, it’s important to once again clearly state the reason the Archdiocese of Agaña is in this state of bankruptcy, otherwise known as Chapter 11 Reorganization. Essentially, our Church is in a period of atonement, reparation and reorganization because of the grave harm our archdiocese inflicted upon numerous children in the past. Too many of our priests and some lay persons perpetrated these heinous crimes of sexual abuse on innocent youth, who had placed their utmost trust in them.
This is not a revelation. For nearly a decade now, extensive news accounts locally and internationally have described the agony of these victims who as adults have now filed hundreds of lawsuits against our archdiocese and other groups such as the Boy Scouts of America.
However, knowing something and accepting something are not the same thing. As we take our next steps amid this penitential season of Lent, I again implore all Catholics on Guam to wholeheartedly accept the truth of our sins and the collective responsibility that we all must bring peace and healing to those who have suffered sexual abuse in our archdiocese.
Many of you have already sacrificed tremendously and continue to act toward reparation and healing. I sincerely thank you for that. Painfully, yet with complete trust in our Lord, I must openly share that more immediate sacrifices and difficult decisions must be made by all the faithful at our parishes, schools, ministries, as well as the Chancery of our Catholic Church on Guam.
Our archdiocese is working expeditiously to create a revised proposal of compensation for the 280-plus victims of sexual abuse who have filed lawsuits against the archdiocese. Recognizing that the victim-survivors of clergy abuse have suffered deeply for far too long, and after several failed attempts to reach settlement in the past three years, both sides have agreed to work together in a renewed spirit focused on achieving reparation and compensation to the victims. However, we must move very rapidly.
Knowing that funds further diminish with each passing day, Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood of the District Court of Guam has set an aggressive timeline for our archdiocese to develop its new proposal. We MUST have our new settlement offer ready by March 25 as attorneys return to court for a pivotal status hearing.
Thus, the archdiocese, through our Guam-based legal counsel, Attorney John Terlaje, has been meeting with parishes and schools in vitally important gatherings to discuss what each entity is able to further contribute to the enormous goal at hand. Father Romeo Convocar whom I have assigned as Vicar General of the archdiocese effective in May, is accompanying Attorney Terlaje.
Last February 26, the judge ruled in favor of the victim-survivors’ Creditors’ Committee and determined that the archdiocese is essentially one body. Therefore, all assets, properties and cash of schools and parishes are subject to inclusion in the compensation package, as we strive to reach a settlement.
Since the judge’s ruling, the archdiocese has held urgent informational meetings with the leaders of our Catholic parishes and schools and representatives of their important groups such as finance councils, school boards and other leadership groups. Members of our Chancery leadership, the Archdiocesan Finance Council (AFC), and the College of Consultors, have been part of these meetings with our attorneys.
I acknowledge the many intense emotions of our Catholic Faithful during this journey of atonement, reparation and reorganization. You are angry, saddened, frustrated and bewildered. It is understandable. Many of you have toiled, sacrificed and contributed to building and sustaining our schools and parishes in numerous ways that span generations.
However, this is the painful reality we must face: many of our assets MUST be contributed for the Church to reach an end to bankruptcy. There is light at the end of all of this, however. It is the Light of our Creator who calls us to do the right thing, when we have wronged others.
We remain committed to bringing the greatest measure of justice and consolation to those who have suffered sexual abuse by our clergy and laity. We pray that we will be able to do this while keeping intact our ministries in our parishes and schools.
It is God’s providence that we enter this next phase of our bankruptcy journey during the holy season of Lent, which commemorates Jesus Christ’s 40 days of fasting, prayer and sacrifice in the desert. He is the one whom we must imitate. He is our truth, our peace and salvation.
In the desert of our difficulties and despair, please remember that God never abandons us. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, on your own intelligence do not rely; In all your ways be mindful of him, and he will make straight your paths.” — Proverbs 3:5-6.
I firmly believe that our merciful Father will help the Church during this difficult period today and in our work to sustain ourselves and heal the broken among us in the years ahead. Please continue to believe in Him and our Church.
Yours in Jesus Christ,
The Most Reverend Michael J. Byrnes, S.T.D.
Archbishop of Agaña
Note -- Click at top of document for a signed PDF copy
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ARCHBISHOP’S PASTORAL MESSAGE ON THE UPDATED MITIGATION PROTOCOLS FOR THE ARCHDIOCESE OF AGANA
FEBRUARY 09, 2021
Protocol No. 2021-008
My dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
With prayer and discernment, I gladly present the Archdiocese of Agaña’s updated mitigation protocols. As we continue to respond proactively to our island’s public health emergency it is important that you, the faithful, are aware of the updates and contingencies that are developed as this dynamic situation continues to affect the landscape of how, and where we worship.
I am grateful to our priests and religious who have continued to unpack these protocols so that our parish communities may be safe, and I am grateful for all of you and your continued prayers and cooperation.
My approval of these updates come after closely monitoring the situation and with continuous input from my brother priests, the Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission (ALC) and different members of our Catholic community.
Above all, as in all things, we look to our loving Father for guidance as the Church and the general community navigate these unprecedented perilous waters of the COVID-19 pandemic.
With this in mind, please note that our houses of worship must continue to abide by strict COVID-19 requirements. Your pastors and dedicated parish staff and volunteers are working diligently to ensure these ongoing protocols are communicated within the parishes and schools.
I take this opportunity to note that the livestreaming of Masses and loudspeakers may still be utilized for the sake of our brothers and sisters who still opt to follow the Mass from their cars or at home. The dispensation which excuses persons from the obligation to attend Mass still stands at this time because of the pandemic. Catholics who are sick, frail or who are uncomfortable should still stay at home. Pastors who are unable to have indoor Mass for certain reasons have such prerogative.
I thank the Faithful of our island, our clergy, and the many groups and individuals who are selflessly assisting our parishes and schools at this time. I mention with gratitude the Archdiocese of Agaña’s COVID-19 Task Force and our Liturgical Commission which have been working diligently throughout our archdiocese. We thank our government and health care professionals, most especially those courageous men and women who are caring for our sick and frail in our hospitals and clinics. God bless you.
Please stay strong in Jesus as His love for each of us is boundless.
/s/ Most Rev. Michael J. Byrnes, S.T.D.
Metropolitan Archbishop of Agaña
(Click here for a signed PDF copy on AOA letterhead)
During Good Shepherd Sunday, Archbishop
discusses grave sin of child abuse committed by clergy in past
Gospel, John 10:11-18
Jesus said: “I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them. This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep.
I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep…”
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Archbishop Michael Byrnes spoke frankly about the grave sin of sexual abuse committed in the past by a number of Catholic clergy on Guam including his predecessor, former Archbishop Anthony Apuron during the 9:30 a.m. Mass April 25, 2021 in the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica.
During his homily on the Fourth Sunday of Easter, Archbishop Byrnes discussed the Gospel of John and Jesus our Good Shepherd while decrying the so-called shepherds of our diocese who instead acted as hired men and had no regard for the sheep. Instead they harmed the flock.
Archbishop Byrnes also described the responsibility that the Archdiocese of Agana has today. “Since we’re the Church, we have to bear the sins of our predecessors and try to make some recompense to those who have suffered so grievously in the past and (who) continue to suffer in that way,” he said.
“Our aim is to bring some measure of justice, not full justice because there is no capacity for full justice when you’ve been grievously suffered in this way,” the archbishop said. “But we must make some recompense to bring through this proceeding, the greatest measure of justice to the greatest number of victim/survivors.”
“So what I want to say today is that we the Archdiocese of Agaña will give no place to those who serve as hired men, as hired people who let the wolf run free,” he said. “And so, may the Good Shepherd himself strengthen us that we stay true to that conviction and turn that conviction into action.”
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To hear the Gospel and Archbishop Byrnes’ entire homily, view a recording of the April 25, 2021 Fourth Sunday of Easter Mass by visiting the Agana Cathedral’s website at
https://aganacathedral.org/
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