Monday, June 5, 2017

HEARTBROKEN

Note: Thank you Archbishop Byrnes for this very personal message. We've suffered long enough with stuff that says "the Archdiocese of Agana said..." 

Archdiocese ‘heartbroken’ allegations include first Chamorro bishop



"As the shepherd of our Catholic Church on Guam, I acknowledge the six latest persons to come forward filing allegations of sexual abuse by our clergy and others," Byrnes said in a written statement. "With deep sadness, I also acknowledge that the newest lawsuits related to child abuse now include an allegation against the late Archbishop Felixberto C. Flores, who I know is deeply loved by many here on Guam...We are heartbroken that the allegations now include the late Archbishop Flores." CONTINUED

6 comments:

  1. Archbishop Byrnes your term " The Archdiocese " I find pathetic. The people are the Archdiocese and it is the people who acted to bring an and to abuse not the Archdiocese. I hope you understand this!

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    1. Anon @ 4:35 PM, it wasn't even "the people". Most of "the people" would would have preferred to keep things quiet and not stir up the muck. It was a public forum - this blog, and a handful of men - yes, men.

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  2. Thank you Tim. With all due respect to Archbishop Byrnes I feel he should be more sensitive in the messages he is communicating to the people of God.
    " Above all else, all of us at the Archdiocese of Agana extend our prayers." Now Archbishop Byrnes I have no doubt you are sincere as an individual.The term " We at the archdiocese "confuses readers. Who is we? Are you referencing Adrian Apuron David other priests who are heartbroken. If that is so you are very wrong Archbishop Byrnes because a number of people you are including in your "we the Archdiocese," knew of the sexual abuse of all three bishops, so I fail to see how the Archdiocese can possibly be heartbroken. If the we the Archdiocese"was sincerely heartbroken than the Archdiocese should have terminated the abuse when it was first reported. I was one of those who did report abuse only to be ridiculed by the Archdiocese. You have to remember Archbishop Byrnes sex abuse was reported and " we the Archdiocese" chose to ignore the abuse allowing it to continue for 25 years to my knowledge.
    Now the Archdiocese, which is the people of God Joined force to stop the abuse. If the people of God make the statement we are heartbroken then accepted. But if your " we the Archdiocese" references Some of your priests,like Adrian and david then you are wrong. They and others knew of the abuse used it to their advantage. Adrian and David are not heartbroken they were happy all three bishops abused because it motivated them to carry out their evil plan.
    So next time please be clear who " we the Archdiocese" are because you infact insult good people already living in pain because of your "we." statements.

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    1. Actually, this is the first media release wherein Archbishop Byrnes truly personalizes the message and takes personal responsibility. His use of the phrase "all of us at the Archdiocese of Agana" is perhaps "idiomatic," not meaning exactly each and every person - obviously because he cannot know the heart or intent of each person - but certainly can say so in the name of the truly faithful, which of course would exclude the likes of the bad boys you mention. It could also mean all who are now the officials of the Archdiocese, which excludes the bad boys you mention. In any event, the message is a great improvement over the previous ones which just said "The Archdiocese of Agana..." The Archdiocese is an IT, a neuter. It cannot extend prayers. But "we" can.

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    2. That formula message from Byrnes sounds like it was written by the Chancery Communications Office and simply rubber-stamped by him. There's no personal grief or sympathy in it.

      Even the bumbling US Mainland bishops are making better victim outreach efforts.

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