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Bishop Ryan Jimenez
photo: Isla Public Media/KPRG/Naina Rao
Bishop Ryan Jimenez, the new leader of the Archdiocese of Agana, Guam, prepares to assume the archbishop’s post as the institution continues to deal with allegations of sexual abuse involving clergy.
Bishop Jimenez, 52, who has lived on Saipan in the Northern Mariana Islands for nearly 20 years, was appointed Archbishop of Agana by the Vatican.
He will officially take up his new position on August 15, filling the vacancy left by former Archbishop Michael Jude Byrnes, who resigned due to serious illness in March 2023. The news was announced on July 6.
“When you take on a new role, whatever leadership role it is, take the time to get to know the people, the staff, the pastors, the deacons, that community,” Jimenez said during a news conference with local media on Tuesday.
“I imagine myself visiting parishes and engaging in conversations, but not making major changes.”
Jimenez expects any kind of leadership changes for the archdiocese to be made by mid-April 2025, “if urgent changes are needed.”
The archdiocese has faced significant turmoil in recent years, including Sexual abuse allegations This led to Bankruptcy filing.
In 2016, former altar servers accused priests and other clergy of sexually abusing minors as far back as the 1950s. This led to a Vatican tribunal finding former Archbishop Anthony Apuron guilty of sexually abusing minors.
The sweet name of the Cathedral of Mary in Guam
photo: 123 RF
The archdiocese is currently finalizing a $34 million settlement of a civil lawsuit filed by 280 plaintiffs, most of whom are former altar servers.
The settlement involves the sale of key archdiocese properties to cover the costs.
“We’re at the stage where we’re implementing what needs to be implemented — that’s all I know. So, it’s an ongoing work,” Jimenez said.
When asked about his knowledge of the case, Jimenez acknowledged that he was “going to get help here,” adding that he would spend time researching and praying “so that the Holy Spirit can guide me to understand and if I have to make any decisions, I can make them justly.”
Jimenez is undoubtedly committed to continuing the work of healing and reconciliation.
He stressed the importance of rebuilding public trust through dialogue and understanding.
“To me, that’s important and should always be at the forefront. Don’t lose sight of that,” Jimenez said.
“But I think as a new person I would be unfair to the church if I made comments, or said, ‘Do this right away.’ I need to research, learn, (and) have conversations with people. Get to know the team, the staff, all of that.”
Jimenez, currently bishop of the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa on Saipan, immigrated to Saipan from the Philippines as a migrant worker and taught at a Catholic school on Rota.
He is the second archbishop of Guam appointed by Pope Francis in eight years.
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