ON HOW THE TRANSITION FROM BYRNES TO JIMENEZ WAS NOT HANDLED AS IT SHOULD HAVE.

Posted By Frenchie

Starting with the 2020 Pandemic, it became slowly apparent to many observers that Archbishop Byrnes cognitive abilities were eroding fairly fast. I personally started noticing something was going awry during the Archbishop's homilies. As Byrnes had been a very proficient homilist, with short, to the point analysis of the scriptures and an easy lead into what it meant for us. He soon started forgetting what he had just talked about, or wandering without rime or reason from one subject to another. He even seemed lost during the celebration of the Eucharist.

By 2021 Archbishop Byrnes spent more and more time on the mainland for his health issues. His long and repeated absences created a noticeable vacuum of power in the Archdiocese, which led me to write an article about its consequences on September 21st, 2021. Specifically I called for decisions regarding the man who had filled said vacuum  with his own unbridled ambitions: Fr Ron Richards from the Archdiocese of Detroit. 

The problem at the time being his amassing of powers: Chancellor, Episcopal Vicar ( a rarely use title) Self appointed Canon Lawyer, Head of the Episcopal council, etc, etc.....

His tendency to make Back room deals with certain quarters, and not follow Canon Law. All the while leading a fairly disolutte and flamboyant  public life. Hardly the beacon of integrity you expect from the most powerful clergyman on island, in Byrnes absence. He also made a lot of questionable alliances with some members of Clergy that looked like there was a preferential set of personnel.

While Archbishop Byrnes had previously put in place his "Virtus" Safe environment program, to both prevent future sexual abuse, but also to handle any possible complaint still not yet addressed; this issue did not appear to be a high priority on Fr Richards agenda.

See Here

This issue, as well as its timing will be very relevant, to our current issues.

Fast Forward to 2022, knowing that his welcome on Guam had been wearing thin, and his self appointed mission of "handling" the bankruptcy of the Archdiocese accomplished (at least partially), Fr Richards rejoins the Archdiocese of Detroit on July 1st. Meanwhile the Archdiocese of Agana had reorganised and Fr Romeo Concovar ended becoming the new Vicar General. After Archbishop Byrnes resignation for health reasons, Fr Concovar's role would widen when he became in 2023 the Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese, (the de facto head of the Archdiocese) until the official nomination of Archbishop Jimenez in 2024 by Pope Francis.

So, why is it necessary to go back over these troubled years?

Going back to 2021 we were warned at the Junglewatch that there were still victims, filing testimonies, but no one was willing to verify who, whom, about what when and how. We heard for example that a woman had filed grave accusations against Msg Bibi, but the Chancery was not forthcoming about their discoveries and conclusions. By the same token there were contradicting reports about the measures taken by the Archbishop. After Byrnes returned to the mainland, the lead lid fell down on any kind of info, thanks to an obvious coverup by father Richards, with the collaboration to the infamous Tony Diaz. (the incarnation of passive aggressiveness)

There were also several rumors regarding personnel in or around the Cathedral, that were never confirmed or denied. With no witnesses willing to go on the record, or inside sources in the know able to do any clarification, it gave Fr Richards and most likely Fr Concovar an opportunity to sweep said rumors under the proverbial carpet.

What was even more frustrating is that some of the targets of said rumors were being very friendly with both Fr Richards and Fr Concovar. Which implied that the friendships were part of a good old boy network, in the Apuron old style of backroom deals and coverups.

Therefore we would have to be patient, and hope for the old Sicilian adage that :" if you are patient enough, you shall see the bodies of your enemies float by"

Fr Richards, according to the Archdiocese of Detroit is restricted and inactive.

Fr Concovar has been promoted to Bishop of Chalan Kanoa

Msg Bibi Arroyo is still incardinated, retired and officially restricted  in his priestly capabilities, restrictions he does not appear to abide to.

As for the other people implicated, so far they are still white as snow. It is rumored that the victim(s) might be running out of patience.

While Archbishop Jimenez has been off island in relation with his duties of President of the Pacific Conference of Catholic Bishops, he could be confronted by several dossiers upon his return that could be coming forward sooner than later, due to lack of answers the 2021 complaints failed to receive.

All this has the potential to become a time bomb, specially detrimental to the good work started during the different forum on Child Abuse Prevention launched last month. Was this an attempt to get in front of revelations of another scandal? Lets hope Archbishop Jimenez takes the Bull by the horns, and fulfill the engagements taken by Archbishop Byrnes and himself. Do not let the coverup of unscrupulous predecessors tarnish the image of the Archdiocese of Agana, the whole Clergy and the faithful.