Archdiocese Criticizes Protesters

The Archdiocese of Agana says the protest that was held by dozens of frustrated Catholics at the Guam International Airport last week was "not the warm Hafa Adai Spirit that the Chamorro people are well known for".  The protestors shouted you're not a real Catholic" and "go home" to Professor Giuseppe Gennarini, Mrs. Claudia Gennarini and Fr. Angelo Poschetti as they arrived and walked out of the terminal.  Professor Gennarini is described as the head of the Neocatechumenal Way in the United States. He along with Cardinal Paul Josef Cordes are on Guam to conduct courses at the Blessed Diego Luis de San Vitores Catholic Theological Institute for Oceania (“Theological Institute”) in Yona.  According to a press release issued last night by  the Archdiocese of Agana Professor Gennarini is also a member of the Board of Guarantors of the Redemptoris Mater Archdiocesan Missionary Seminary of Guam.

Fr. Edivaldo da Silva Oliveira, who is now the acting spokesperson for the Archdiocese, has previously stated that  Archdiocese does not  believe that the actions of this angry mob represents the feelings of the vast majority of the Catholics of Guam.

Last week's protest at the airport was one of many held over the last several years by local Catholics frustrated with the actions of Archbishop Anthony Apuron who they believe has been influenced by the Neocatechumenal Way. Over the last several years they have been requesting to meet with him to discuss their concerns. "Some questions have been raised about the Archbishop’s unwillingness to address the concerns of the protestors. However, the Archbishop completed his pastoral visits of every parish (26 Catholic parishes) of the Archdiocese of Agana in 2015, and during this time, the Archbishop not only met with many of these protestors, but allowed the parishioners present to ask questions. Thus, while the Archbishop has not granted a private meeting to these protestors, the opportunity was given to all Catholics in the Archdiocese to directly communicate their concerns to the Archbishop," the press release stated.

The Archdiocese meanwhile is inviting the public to the Cathedral on Saturday as Cardinal Cordes will be celebrating a special mass at 7:30 pm.

                                                   Media Release
                                                    April 28, 2016

The Archdiocese of Agana was extremely saddened by the actions of the angry mob that appeared at the Guam International Airport Authority upon the arrival of Professor Giuseppe Gennarini, Mrs. Claudia Gennarini and Fr. Angelo Poschetti; this is not the warm Hafa Adai Spirit that the Chamorro people are well-known for, and Archbishop Anthony Sablan Apuron has privately extended a warm welcome to the Gennarinis and Fr. Angelo. As previously stated by Fr. Edivaldo da Silva Oliveira, the Archdiocese does not believe that the actions of this angry mob represents the feelings of the vast majority of the Catholics of Guam.

The Blessed Diego Luis de San Vitores Catholic Theological Institute for Oceania (“Theological Institute”) is currently offering two courses which are being presented by Cardinal Paul Josef Cordes and Professor Gennarini.

Cardinal Cordes has held top positions in multiple pontifical councils and congregations, and has been teaching a 10-Session course on the Theology of the Priesthood, which ends on April 30, 2016, as was recently reported in the Archdiocesan newspaper, the Umatuna Si Yu’os.

Professor Gennarini holds a doctorate in Church History from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, and is here to teach a course for the seminarians of the Archdiocese. Professor Gennarini is also a member of the Board of Guarantors of the Redemptoris Mater Archdiocesan Missionary Seminary of Guam.

In recent days, some of the protestors who appeared at the airport, have also made an appearance at the Theological Institute, which is also occupied by the seminary. Like any other institute of learning, similar to the Guam Public School System, the Catholic School system or the University of Guam, interference with the learning environment of its students cannot be tolerated by the presence and disruption of protestors. The protestors were requested to immediately leave the premises, and the Guam Police Department were contacted to ensure that the peace was maintained in light of the obvious concerns raised by the conduct of this group just a few days earlier.

Fr. Pius Sammut is the Rector of the seminary, and was appointed by Archbishop Anthony Sablan Apuron. The Rector is responsible for the formation of the seminarians, both spiritually and academically; he is also responsible for the daily operations of the seminary.

Some questions have been raised about the Archbishop’s unwillingness to address the concerns of the protestors. However, the Archbishop completed his pastoral visits of every parish (26 Catholic parishes) of the Archdiocese of Agana in 2015, and during this time, the Archbishop not only met with many of these protestors, but allowed the parishioners present to ask questions. Thus, while the Archbishop has not granted a private meeting to these protestors, the opportunity was given to all Catholics in the Archdiocese to directly communicate their concerns to the Archbishop.

Finally, on Saturday, April 30, 2016, Cardinal Cordes will be celebrating a special mass in the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica, at 7:30 p.m. This special celebration is open to the public and all are welcome.