Decree of removal

 KUAM News has confirmed that Archbishop Anthony Apuron has signed an official Decree of Removal related to Father Paul Gofigan.<br />

November 20, 2013Updated: November 20, 2013

By KUAM News

by Sabrina Salas Matanane

Guam - KUAM News has confirmed that Archbishop Anthony Apuron has signed an official Decree of Removal related to Father Paul Gofigan. It was in July the Archbishop replaced Father Gofigan as the Parochial Administrator of Santa Barbara Church in Dededo. According to news files, the Archbishop removed him from the position because he did not follow a directive two years ago to fire a church employee who was known to have a sex offense on his record. Father Gofigan wrote a letter to his parishioners at the time stating that he did terminate the employee. However a press release from the Archdiocese of Agana stated the individual still had an active presence in the parish as a volunteer.

Responding to the Decree of Removal, Father Gofigan said that his attorney has filed an appeal to Rome. He told KUAM Wednesday evening that the Archbishop failed to reconsider his decision and to acknowledge the fact that he did not follow the proper procedures when he terminated him in the first place. Father Gofigan says his attorney is filing the appeal to a higher court in the church.

Father Gofigan is still a priest and is celebrating mass at St. Anthony's