US Attorney: church letters forwarded to DOJ

US Attorney Shawn Anderson has forwarded information to the Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division after obtaining letters written between the Archdiocese of Guam and Public Health Director Linda Denorcey.

As plans began to unfold for the reopening of the island, the Archdiocese of Agana sent a memo on April 22 to Governor Lou Leon Guerrero and Public Health Director Linda Denorcey with recommendations to reconvene spiritual practices.

The letter asked Denorcey and The Governor to allow the Church to conduct outdoor Masses, among other requests.

Denorcey denied the request for outdoor Masses.

Chair of the Liturgical Commission, Father Paul Gofigan, in the letter said that recommendations could be implemented while exercising current precautionary measures like social distancing and wearing PPEs.

Meanwhile, U.S. Attorney spokesperson Carmela Rapadas tells KUAM News that U.S. Attorney Shawn Anderson has obtained the letter from the Church and DPHSS’ response and will be forwarding both to the Department of Justice Civil Rights Division.

“I understand DPHSS determination to contain the COVID-19 virus and I believe the director said what she was supposed to say as a public health expert,” Father Paul said. “I hope that the Governor’s response will be more favorable, especially because she is the MagaHaga, a CHamoru title whose definition goes much deeper than just one who governs, but one who nurtures her people with genuine love, compassion and selflessness.”

Gofigan said the Church has not received a response from the Governor.

Rapadas could not provide any further comments at this time.

KUAM is awaiting a response from Denorcey.

The letter from the Church also asked for DPHSS to allow giving of Holy Sacraments, offerings, baptisms, confessions and pastoral visits to the homebound sick.

According to the DOJ’s website, the Civil Rights Division “works to uphold the civil and constitutional rights of all Americans. The Division enforces federal statutes prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, disability, religion, familial status and national origin."