Guam: suspended archbishop welcomes appointment of coadjutor/successor

November 03, 2016

Archbishop Anthony Apuron of Agana, Guam, who was suspended after multiple sex-abuse charges, has welcomed the appointment of a coadjutor archbishop.

Archbishop Apuron said that the Vatican’s appointment of Bishop Michael Byrnes, a Detroit auxiliary, as coadjutor was “a most welcome answer to my request for help in the governance of the island at this time.” The new coadjutor have the right of succession when Archbishop Apuron retires or resigns.

Archbishop Apuron, who has consistently denied the charges against him, said that he is currently “working with the authorities in the Vatican to establish my innocence.” The archbishop is facing a canonical trial on the sex-abuse charges.

Archbishop Savio Hon Tai Fai, who was appointed in June as temporary caretaker of the Guam archdiocese, revealed in September that he has asked the Holy See to remove Archbishop Apuron permanently from his post and name a successor.

 

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Further information:

• Guam archbishop accused of abuse says he welcomes successor's appointment (USA Today)
• American successor named for accused archbishop in Guam (CWN, 10/31)