Community Briefs – April 12, 2019

NMPASI closed today

Offices of the Northern Marianas Protection & Advocacy Systems, Inc. will be closed today, April 12, 2019, and will resume regular business hours (from 8am to 5pm) on Monday April 15, 2019. (PR)

Church: Guam properties should not be sold to pay sex abuse claims

HAGATNA, Guam (AP)—The Catholic Church in Guam says parishes and schools should not be sold to settle more than 200 clergy sexual abuse claims.

The Pacific Daily News reported Tuesday that the statement by the Archdiocese of Agana Tuesday was in response to a lawsuit filed by the Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors.

The lawsuit includes a list of Catholic schools, parishes, vehicles and other assets the creditors believe should be considered archdiocese property and liable for sale.

The archdiocese says parishes and schools are not owned by the archdiocese, but rather held in trust, and that the “trust relationship” is supported by Guam statute.

Guam’s Catholic Church filed for bankruptcy in January, allowing the archdiocese to avoid trial in dozens of child sexual abuse lawsuits and enter settlement negotiations.

US Naval Hospital Guam to conduct readiness exercise

AGANA HEIGHTS, Guam—The U.S. Naval Hospital Guam will conduct a readiness exercise on April 29, from noon to 4pm, to ensure contingency requirements are up to date.

USNH Guam emergency department will remain open during the date and time indicated. The public should not be alarmed if they see or hear activities associated with the exercise. (PR)

Underwater training in Outer Apra Harbor 

ASAN, Guam—U.S. Navy Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit 5 will conduct routine underwater detonation training in outer Apra Harbor today, April 12,, from 8am to 4pm.

EODMU-5 will detonate a total of five lbs of explosives at the designated UNDET location on a sandy area of the sea floor.  

For the safety of the public and participants involved, the Coast Guard will establish safety zones to restrict access in the vicinity of the training area. 

For the safety of personnel and marine life, the area will be visually cleared by divers and by lookouts on the surface before, during and after the exercise. All activity will cease temporarily if a person or marine life is seen in the area. (PR)