Is there a conflict between Catholicism and the taotaomona?

Have you ever been alone and had an eerie feeling that someone may be watching you, or maybe suddenly and inexplicably experience a cold chill? In preparation for KUAM's annual holiday special "The Taotaomona Tales II", I sat down with Monsignor David Quitugua to talk about Catholicism and possible conflicts with local beliefs about ancient spirits.

"Most people have stories about Taotaomona," he explained. "They don't see, it's just experienced and happened in their lives that they just can't explain." According to Chamorro culture, there are ancient spirits roaming the jungles of the Marianas. Taotaomona when translated from Guam's native Chamoru means "people before us". Such people are described as being uncivilized and primitive, without having any organized or formal religion.

And if, for example, they were people that came before us, one could then question whether they even subscribe to the belief in a higher power. There is evidence that suggests the early inhabitants of the islands may have been pagan. So if our ancestors worshipped the sun, the moon, or other deities, is it wrong as a Catholic to believe in the existence of the Taotamona? Monsignor Quitugua says, "It won't be wrong because we as Catholics believe in the spirit and the soul of people the bodies may die but the spirit lives on and on."

When asked for an official position on the ability to believe in and practice Christian mandates while respecting and honoring our descendants, Quitugua says simply, "I guess it's all up to the individual to believe. I don't think there's a reason for the church to come out and say, 'No, no, no, no more believing in Taotaomona.' Go ahead, believe, but you can still be a good Catholic and believe in Taotaomona, you know." He laughed as he gave such advice.

The Taotaomona Tales premieres tonight on KUAM-TV11 at 7, with rebroadcasts on KUAM-TV8, Local 2 and KUAM.com soon after (check program listings for times and dates). You'll hear from a number of people sharing their experience with the spirits of Guam's ancient generation. Some claimed they've been possessed, others say they've been given special powers by their "friends", and still others who claim they have proof that they really do exist.