Synod of Archdiocese of Agaña
What We Heard
The church at its best is like a family, welcoming and friendly, most people felt. That’s what makes the church a home, even if we come from different backgrounds and islands. This family spirit may be expressed through the liturgical celebrations, and also through parish fiestas and other social activities but there are serious challenges to this family spirit, many noted, especially when some church members are made to feel like outsiders. These “outsiders” may include members of the gay community, others whose marriage is not blessed in church, and those whose reputation has been sullied by gossip. This can marginalize Catholics and may provoke a strong reaction, sometimes pushing them to leave the church altogether. Then, too, there are others who feel unwanted, and their offer to help out rejected, because they are not members of the ruling clique in their parish.
Attending church services can be a “spiritual hug,” as one person put it. Attending Mass, enhanced by a good homily, and singing that engages the congregation, is a rich source of spiritual nourishment. Traditional religious ceremonies, such as those practiced during Holy Week or to honor Our Lady of Kamalen, are additional ways of finding nourishment. From many there was a call for even more: a welcome before mass, greater participation during the service, and occasional social gatherings afterwards—all in the name of stronger fellowship. Study groups and adult education programs would also be a welcome addition in the eyes of many. On the other hand, locked church doors and priestly indifference to the needs of parishioners represent serious obstacles here.
Opportunities for service are an essential part of church, many recognized, even if this is sometimes ignored by those churchgoers intent solely on personal piety. This church service should be extended to two groups: those who have left the church, often because they found no home there, and the poor who need food and other help. Rather than simply waiting for fallen away Catholics to return, church members should go out and proclaim the Good News. Likewise, gathering food and clothing for the needy should be not just a Christmas or Thanksgiving activity, but an on-going part of church life.
All express their joy in being able to share their faith with their children and grandchildren, but it has become a serious challenge today to keep the young generation in the church. In the past the family hung together more tightly than nowadays, so it was easier then for elders to convince the young to attend church with them. Today, however, many young people tend to go their own way. Without the strong family support young people once enjoyed, catechetical programs are more important than ever if the faith is to be transmitted to the young. Yet, in the eyes of many, such programs are generally weak. There was a strong cry for improvement and expansion of our Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) program. Most felt that religious instruction should be offered every year, not just as students are preparing for the sacraments. Many also called for a youth program aimed at those who are older than the CCD students.
Other problems in the church in Guam were mentioned during the Synod listening sessions. The challenge to church unity has been serious, especially with the divisiveness here over the past decade. That has continued to the present between those mourning the loss of the “traditional” church and others embracing the changes in our post-Vatican church. Somehow the church in Guam will have to find a way to discuss those controversial topics that divide us and impair our ministry. In addition, the church in Guam will have to provide more reliable financial accountability so that people know how their money is being used. Standard regulations and procedures should be established throughout the archdiocese, so that churchgoers don’t wander from place to place to find someone who will provide what they want. Parish councils should be functional and representative of the whole parish. Priests should be available to people, not hidden away in the rectory.
Overall, those involved in the Synod listening sessions said that they deeply appreciated the opportunity to voice their feelings about the church, its strengths, and its weaknesses. Most seemed to believe that their church, which has brought so much to its members throughout the years, can successfully meet the challenges today and make the changes needed to become even more effective in today’s world.
Francis X. Hezel, SJ
May 13, 2022
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Dear brothers and sisters and most especially our youth in Jesus Christ,
I encourage our Catholic school students and parish CCD youths along with families, couples, and individuals to participate on Tuesday, May 3rd at the “Rally for Life” with other pro-life advocates from 4pm-6pm outside the Guam Legislature building in Hagatna.
Additionally, a public hearing on Pro-life Bill 291, The Guam Heartbeat Act of 2022 will be held on May 4th & May 6th. All are encouraged to testify on the Pro-life Bill or show support by your attendance at the public hearings. Our Archdiocese supports this proposed legislation and all efforts that protect unborn children and the gift of life that God, our Almighty Creator has entrusted to us.
May God through the intercession of Saints Gianna and Gerard bless all who work together for this cause. Si Yu’os Ma’ase for your continued support in protecting the unborn.
Yours in Jesus Christ,
The Most Reverend Michael J. Byrnes, S.T.D.
Archbishop of Agaña
Happy birthday Church!
In a few short days, we will be able to say those words to one another. It is my prayer that there will be a great many more people exclaiming those words of joy within the actual walls of our churches.
The Church will celebrate Pentecost Sunday this weekend on May 23. The feast of Pentecost commemorates that great moment when the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles in a powerful rush of wind, with tongues of fire that transformed everyone present.
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During Good Shepherd Sunday, Archbishop
discusses grave sin of child abuse committed by clergy in past
Gospel, John 10:11-18
Jesus said: “I am the good shepherd. A good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. A hired man, who is not a shepherd and whose sheep are not his own, sees a wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away, and the wolf catches and scatters them. This is because he works for pay and has no concern for the sheep.
I am the good shepherd, and I know mine and mine know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father; and I will lay down my life for the sheep…”
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Archbishop Michael Byrnes spoke frankly about the grave sin of sexual abuse committed in the past by a number of Catholic clergy on Guam including his predecessor, former Archbishop Anthony Apuron during the 9:30 a.m. Mass April 25, 2021 in the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica.
During his homily on the Fourth Sunday of Easter, Archbishop Byrnes discussed the Gospel of John and Jesus our Good Shepherd while decrying the so-called shepherds of our diocese who instead acted as hired men and had no regard for the sheep. Instead they harmed the flock.
Archbishop Byrnes also described the responsibility that the Archdiocese of Agana has today. “Since we’re the Church, we have to bear the sins of our predecessors and try to make some recompense to those who have suffered so grievously in the past and (who) continue to suffer in that way,” he said.
“Our aim is to bring some measure of justice, not full justice because there is no capacity for full justice when you’ve been grievously suffered in this way,” the archbishop said. “But we must make some recompense to bring through this proceeding, the greatest measure of justice to the greatest number of victim/survivors.”
“So what I want to say today is that we the Archdiocese of Agaña will give no place to those who serve as hired men, as hired people who let the wolf run free,” he said. “And so, may the Good Shepherd himself strengthen us that we stay true to that conviction and turn that conviction into action.”
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To hear the Gospel and Archbishop Byrnes’ entire homily, view a recording of the April 25, 2021 Fourth Sunday of Easter Mass by visiting the Agana Cathedral’s website at
https://aganacathedral.org/
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The Archdiocese of Agaña encourages anyone who has been a victim of abuse by any clergy, employee or volunteer of the Roman Catholic Church to contact the Guam Police Department and Child Protective Services. In addition, the Archdiocese of Agaña provides support services through its Victim Assistance Coordinator.
Click here for more info on how to report