Archbishop Apuron On Same Sex Marriage, Past And Present

It was on April of this year when two Chamorro women tried to apply for a marriage license on Guam.  They were refused; therefore, they sued the health department and the Governor.  Before that, Archbishop Apuron spoke out against same sex marriage.  According to news report: 

"In two statements, a February AP interview published April 13 by the Archdiocese of Agana,  and a diocesan statement published April 20, the archbishop spoke out on Church teaching on homosexual “marriage” while differing opinions from Guam leaders has left the island in conflict on the issue."

https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/the-church-must-oppose-homosexuality-even-though-were-hated-for-it-guam-arc

You can also find the Archbishop's statement published in the Marianas Variety dated April 22nd here.

As anyone can see, the Archbishop has spoken out against same sex marriage even before the two Chamorro women decided to take their lawsuit to court.  Archbishop Apuron has been known to stand against same sex unions, and he has made his stand known through the public media.  About 3 or 4 years ago, Bill 185 was proposed.  If passed, it would legalize same sex union on Guam.  During that time, the Archdiocese of Agana gathered nearly 8000 signatures in a petition against Bill 185.  According to news report: 

"The Archdiocese of Agana has urged parishioners to sign a petition to senators, urging them to oppose Bill 185 and other similar legislation.  Apuron is hoping to gather more than 10,000 signatures.
 
The Guam Alternative Lifestyles Association meanwhile has been gathering signatures of their own.  Guam Youth Congress Speaker Derrick Hills, who initiated the same-sex civil union legislation, was appalled by the Archbishop's comments, telling KUAM News, "I think it's so ridiculous to say that homosexuality can be a conversion, it can be done through the church.  I think that's absolutely false.  It's not even proven through any association that you can convert homosexuals to living a straight lifestyle."

Hills added, "I don't see where the religious church is coming from when they say we can go to their masses and seek religious advice when we're talking about political issues."

For the time being, the Archbishop is scheduled to meet with members of the Guam Legislature tomorrow morning to discuss his concerns."

http://www.kuam.com/story/11335854/shocking-twist-in-same-sex-unions-debate?clienttype=mobile&redirected=true

Again, as anyone can see from news report, the Archbishop has been vocal against same sex marriage. As a matter of fact, Senator B.J. Cruz even went so far as to meet with the Archbishop in order that Bill 185 would be revised more to the Church's liking, but the Archbishop did not budge from his stand with Catholic teaching.  According to news report (the bold is mine):

"After several controversial town hall meetings were held on legislation that would allow for same-sex civil unions on Guam, Acting Speaker of the 30th Guam Legislature B.J. Cruz has introduced an amended version of Bill 138.  But the question remains where the changes in the bill will be enough to garner support from the Catholic Church, which staunchly opposes any union involving same-sex couples.

 

After a series of town meetings were held to allow the public to provide comments on legislation that would allow for same-sex civil unions on Guam, Cruz has introduced a substitute version of his proposed legislation, which was prompted by, as he says, "Considerable debate in the community about the bill."

 

The acting speaker introduced the original version of Bill 138 on behalf of the Guam Youth Congress, but as a result of several concerns raised in the community and discussions with the Catholic Church he decided to keep the bill the same number, but with revisions.  "I met with the archbishop and he asked that we not use the word 'marriage', and we not use the word 'union'," Cruz recalled.  "There was some concern about solemnization the ceremonies that were conducted we've taken out the ceremony and its just going to be a registration where you go in and before a notary public you would attest to the fact that you' re in this committed relationship with this other person"

 

The revised measure essentially allows for domestic partnerships between heterosexual and same-sex couples without going through any sort of official ceremony. All the couples will have to do is fill out a license application on a form prescribed by Public Health and pay a fee of $30.  "You get a document back that you can present back to your health insurance company that you can present to the Retirement Fund that you can show in the event you want to show because the person got killed in a car accident or something.  Take it to the hospital and say, 'Let me in the room, I may have a different last name, but this is my life partner.'  And this allows me into the room and into ICU."

 

https://www.facebook.com/notes/kuam-news/cruz-revises-same-sex-civil-union-bill/101597857551