A DAY OF RECOLLECTION?

By Tim Rohr

The following was posted on the Archdiocese of Agana Facebook page. My notes at the end.

Discussions on child abuse, healing mark Feb. Clergy Day of Recollection

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Archdiocese of Agaña priests and deacons renewed their Conversations in the Spirit focused on child sexual abuse, healing and building unity in our Church as they gathered with Archbishop Ryan P. Jimenez and two religious sisters as guest speakers Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026 at Blessed Diego Luis de San Vitores Catholic Church in Tumon.

The February Clergy Day of Recollection continued the local tradition of priests and deacons meeting on the first Wednesday of the month for prayer, worship, fellowship and discussions. This latest gathering featured Sister Angela Perez of the Sisters of Mercy and Sister Francine Perez of the School Sisters of Notre Dame as guest speakers.

Father Fran Hezel, SSJ, was the moderator and emphasized the importance of having such discussions in the archdiocese's on-going journey to fix divisions, conflict and wounds in our Church.

The gathering continued discussion from January's Clergy Day of Recollection where panelists Honorable John C. Terlaje, Superior Court of Guam Judge; Dr. Juan Rapadas, licensed clinical psychologist; and Attorney Rodney J. Jacobs, engaged in frank  conversations with the clergy regarding clergy sexual abuse and bankruptcy.

In separate talks, Sister Angela and Sister Francine shared their personal thoughts and experiences as well as insight into their religious orders' responses regarding the shame of child abuse and hundreds of ensuing lawsuits against the archdiocese which were part of the Church's filing of bankruptcy and efforts to bring healing and justice to victims of clergy child abuse.

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MY NOTES:

I wonder if these days of "recollection" about child abuse were actually about CLERGY child abuse, and moreover, if there was any "recollection" on how the most horrific record of clergy child abuse in the whole Catholic world (per capita) happened right under their noses for fifty years without a peep from any of them (except for Deacon Steve Martinez).

How ironic that one of the "guest speakers" is Sister Angela Perez of the Sisters of Mercy, the Sisters who run St. Anthony's School, where Troy Torres was sexually molested multiple times by a teacher and who knows how many others. 

Just remember, that this would all still be going on had not a few lay people stepped up and stopped it - at great cost to themselves and their families.