Female Genital Mutilation: Declining?
Posted by Michelle Moquin on July 23rd, 2013
Good morning.
BURKINA FASO: Female genital mutilation declining, says Minister
OUAGADOUGOU, 26 May 2003 (IRIN) – Twelve years after Burkina Faso launched a campaign that outlawed female genital mutilation (FGM) in 1996 and imposed heavy penalties on circumcisers, the number of women undergoing the harmful practise is declining, officials said.
Mariam Lamizana, the Burkinabe Minister for Social Welfare and Solidarity told IRIN that surveys done over three years among different age groups in various regions, indicated that FGM prevalence had dropped from the 1996 national average of 66.35 percent to between 16-43 percent.
It however remained high in some towns. In Boromo in the western Bale province, 150 km from Ouagadougou, 87 percent of the women were found to have undergone FGM. The town had the highest prevalence in the country.
“We have reached a point when the female circumcision is discussed in the community and demystified,” Lamizana told IRIN in an interview on 19 May. To raise awareness, she added, FGM was being treated as a health, human rights and violence issue in a campaign involving religious leaders and female circumcisers.
FGM [female circumcision] is a procedure where a woman’s external genital organs are removed or injured for cultural, religious or other non-therapeutic reasons. It has serious consequences including pain, hemorrhage, infection, ulceration, damage to the urethra and difficulties in birth. It could also lead to HIV/AIDS transmission.
In Burkina Faso, it is a deep-rooted cultural practice in 14 provinces where it is believed to “cleanse” women as part of their initiation. It involves cutting off the clitoris of girls of the same age in the community, usually by a traditional practitioner with crude instruments and without anesthesia.
The Burkina parliament outlawed FGM as part of a campaign led by a National Committee against Circumcision Practice (CNLPE). It set prison terms of upto five years and fines of upto US $1,500, for people found circumcising women. So far 300 people have been arrested. Fifteen were sentenced to jail for three to twelve months and others fined $85-$1,500.
On 17 May the CNLPE organised activities at Boromo to mark the country’s national day against FGM. Lamizana said during the function: “We are confirming on this day our firm determination to fight a non-stop battle so that no single Burkina girl will be threatened by this practice of another age.”
According to the World Health Organisation, most girls and women who have undergone FGM live in 28 African countries, including Burkina Faso. Some live in Asia and the Middle East; and increasingly among immigrants in Europe, Australia, Canada and the USA. Between 100-140 million girls and women worldwide have undergone it. Another 2 million are at risk of undergoing it each year.
******
Readers: This was written back in 2003 where it was reported the FGM was declining because of a campaign that outlawed FGM in 1996. That was 10 years ago that the decline was reported.
Obviously it is not declining enough because from what I have read and from what I have been told, it is still happening to too many women and girls. In fact, in 2008, it was reported that FGM was not declining but on the rise. And just last month, Miss Africa Netherlands (M.A.N.) and the Association of European Parliamentarians with Africa (AWEPA) in cooperation with the National Committee for International Cooperation and Sustainable Development held a workshop offering information about this act of violation of women’s rights.
It is known that due to the sensitivity of the subject, women and girls who have undergone FGM hardly talk about it – They keep silent. This workshop gave the opportunity to illuminate this horrific practice, break the silence, and learn and share knowledge, in HOPEs to come up with long lasting solutions to eradicate this harmful practice that is still prevalent today. Experts on the subject spoke about some of what is being done nationally and internationally (including political action) to stop FGM.
I don’t know the outcome of the workshop, but it is obvious that something more drastic needs to happen because not much has changed since the article was written in 2003. Girls and women are still subjected to this cruel and inhumane practice.
When will it finally end? What do we need to do? I say for every woman who is cut, the man who does the cutting loses his. You put something like that in place, it is sure to end quickly.
Comments? Blog me.
Peace & Love…
Lastly, greed over a great story is surfacing from my “loyal”(?) readers. With all this back and forth about who owns what, that appears on my blog, let me reiterate that all material posted on my blog becomes the sole property of my blog. If you want to reserve any proprietary rights don’t post it to my blog. I will prominently display this caveat on my blog from now on to remind those who may have forgotten this notice.
Gratefully your blog host,
michelle
Aka BABE: We all know what this means by now :)
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July 23rd, 2013 at 12:51 pm
Welcome back, Michelle.
Unfortunately, often times it’s the woman’s female relatives doing the cutting. Very sad and archaic.
/SB
July 23rd, 2013 at 12:55 pm
Do you want to know if you are eating GMOs? Finally, a Democratic senator is taking a stand against Monsanto. Please consider signing the MoveOn petition (link at end) to get our food properly labeled and stop this abuse of power.
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When we thought we lost hope after Obama quietly signed what is now known as the Monsanto Protection Act (MPA) into law back in March, Senator Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) proposed the Genetically Engineered Food Right-to-Know Act. This amendment will challenge the Monsanto Protection Act, a provision added to March’s spending bill that quietly sailed through without any debate or media coverage. The Monsanto Protection Act has made it legal for Monsanto to sell genetically modified seeds even when a state court has made it illegal to do so. In other words, Monsanto is now backed by the United States government, and we do not have to be informed about their actions.
Fortunately for us, we have the support of Sen. Jeff Merkley, who wants to make sure Americans know if the food we consume has been genetically modified or not. Whether you consume fast food or make it to your local farmer’s market every weekend, it is important to know if our food is genetically modified if you want to know. This is what the Genetically Engineered Food Right-to-Know Act is all about.
Sen. Merkley speaks out against MPA: “That outcome is unfortunate and unacceptable because the content of the policy rider is nothing short of astounding. It allows the unrestricted sale and planting of new variants of genetically modified seeds that a court ruled have not been properly examined for their effect on other farmers, the environment, and human health.”
Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) has agreed to back the Genetically Engineered Food Right-to-Know Act. This is inspiring because most folks find it hard to compete with the millions of corporate dollars that most likely inspired the secret addition.
This bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on April 24 and it has been assigned to a congressional committee. It currently has 38 co-sponsors, the majority of them Democrat. Get involved by calling your state senator to support the Genetically Engineered Food Right-to-Know Act or by signing this petition: http://pac.petitions.moveon.org/sign/tell-the-senate-support?source=mo&id=71424-25361575-gjYfPDx
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I signed and I hope you will too!
/SB
July 23rd, 2013 at 7:59 pm
Too true, /SB #1
…and the video I posted last minute on yesterdays blog post re: the 11 yr old Yemeni girl who’s parents were trying to marry her off speaks to not only deeply ingrained ‘cultural values’ but that it is often the older women who are the enforcers as well as the men. How do you overcome indoctrination like that?? A real conundrum…
PS MM BABES, let’s add in your ‘hidden’ exercise bc we want it all (and we want it all tight) – so, do your kegels! It’ll keep you and your bladder healthy and your sex life healthy as well and who doesn’t want that? For a ‘proper’ Kegel, squeeze the area between your V and your A known as the perenium up and into your body, your butt should not contract, just that P area and all the way up the interior of your luv canal, count to 3 to build tension, hold for a 3 count and release slowly to a count of 3, do 10 reps and 3 sets followed by 1 set of 30 quick squeezes; in and release, and in and release, do more than 30 if you’re so inclined…
Another good (s)exercise, lie on the floor on a mat, head to lower back on the floor, knees are bent and off the floor and feet are flat on the floor, starting with your held in Kegel muscle and butt muscles, start rolling your spine up off the floor slowly and as you go you squeeze you tummy in and roll until your shoulders form a bridge and shoulders/head and feet are only things on the floor inhale on the way up a deep breath, then roll down slowly exhaling the last thing released is that Kegel muscle, rest for a count of 2 and repeat, do 10X’s … and you should be feeling good and strong and ready to call your baby to come over for a visit ; )
Before you do that though, do 3 sets of 30 second ‘planks’ – lie face down on a mat, put your elbows on the floor just iunder shoulders and clasp and intertwine your fingers in front of you on the floor, now pop up on your curled toes and place your weight on hands and forearms and hold your body in a straight line pulling in on all muscles to do so, tighten all core muscles, belly/buns/legs/and squeeze hard, count to 30 slowly and release down, do it 3x’s. If holding to 30 isn’t hard, hold to 60 and release. I try to do either do 5-10 sets of 90 seconds each or sometimes I’ll just hold for a 3 minute song on my iPhone and release, try what works for you, and switch it up constantly, exercise stops working so well when your body ‘adapts’ and it can adapt to anything so kee on switching up how you do sets of anything I write here.
Any questions? Okay, now go workout (with or without a partner ; )
Luv, Zen Lill
July 24th, 2013 at 5:40 am
great idea //SB. I sighed.
July 24th, 2013 at 5:43 am
Thank you Michelle, again you are on the guard for us women. Men don’t make this a priority in their news because it doesn’t matter to them.
If this were happening to white women, it would be a bit more news worthy, but it still wouldn’t matter that much to men.
July 24th, 2013 at 5:46 am
Thank you Zen Lill for reminding the world that children are getting their youth taken away by sick religious cult that permits men to pimp little girls.
July 24th, 2013 at 5:49 am
Zen Lill, I couldn’t get in yesterday. Most females I know have a similar story to tale about someone they know who has been forced to marry some old man who wants to rape them legally.
July 24th, 2013 at 5:51 am
Zen Lill, if the West would stop buying oil for arab men until they stopped using religion to enslave us this would stop.
It won’t stop without Western intervention because these arab men are evil.
July 24th, 2013 at 5:52 am
Social Butterfly, I signed and I called a few friends to get them on board.
July 24th, 2013 at 5:56 am
Zen Lill I was forced into a marriage when I was 13, he started raping me immediately. I went to visit a relative with his brother who was secretly raping me since I was 14.
I told him that my third born was his and that I would tell my husband and we would both be killed. He helped me escape to Egypt and from their I escaped to Italy.
I am free now. I had to leave my life and 3 children behind. I am 23 with the scars of a lifetime, but I am free.
I wish there was something that could be done, but I see no hope.
July 24th, 2013 at 5:57 am
Social Butter Fly, it is about time. I signed.
July 24th, 2013 at 5:58 am
Social Butter, we have to continue the fight. I don’t know what made Obama sign that, I heard it was one of those sneaky republican bills that snuck it in with other important legislation that Obama needed to put into action.
I signed. Great idea!!!!!!!!!!!
July 24th, 2013 at 5:59 am
This is a blog that seeks to slam Islam.
July 24th, 2013 at 6:02 am
Michelle, in my village the practice is still going on. I was forced to endure that horrible pain. Now they are pressuring me to do the same to my daughter or she will not be marriage material.
They say that no man will marry a woman who gets pleasure down there. I say read Michelle and tell those men to go to hell. I will NEVER allow that to happen to my daughter.
July 24th, 2013 at 6:06 am
My sister asked me to help her escape her village so that she would not have this happen to our sister. She showed me your blog about two years ago. I read it all the time.
I had a few of my friends help me and she escaped to the city. Thank you Michelle for giving women of Africa an opportunity to feel someone cares.
Not all men are bad, as her brother I had to get the help of other males to help us escape. When I told them why I needed their help, they did not say no. They said about time someone helped the girls no have to have this happen to them.
July 24th, 2013 at 6:07 am
Fantastic idea Social Butter Fly, I signed and passed it on.
July 24th, 2013 at 6:08 am
Zen Lill, it is a part of life in the world of islam. Females are but sexual toys for men. That is why they will die to preserve it.
July 24th, 2013 at 6:09 am
This blog is a spawn of the devil. It seeks to demonize Islam.
July 24th, 2013 at 6:10 am
You sluts will be found and the might of Allah will be upon you.
July 24th, 2013 at 6:13 am
Islam is a religious cult designed to support pedophilia. It is a shame that the western world supports this to gain access to their oil resources.”
July 24th, 2013 at 6:25 am
The US is worried that Snowden has told the russians more about the technology to turn HD TVs into cameras which watch you and record every word you speak in your homes even when turned off if the TV is unplugged.
=====================
“Patent # 20060007222 is one that interlaces sensors within the display grid of a screen to enable it to be both a tv and a camera simultaneously without being obvious to an electronics technician.
What better way to spy on people without their awareness and have unfettered access to the inside of their homes to poke about.
This is a patent from the Apple corporation whose founder recently became ill and passed away . . . hmmmm. The NSA would never poison someone and steal their ideas, would they..”
===========================
I can’t locate the truth of this patent, so I am putting this out their to ask for help from your readers MIchelle.
July 24th, 2013 at 6:26 am
we let bankers off the hook for wrecking economies, hold people without trial, hold innocent people and force feed them to keep them incarcerated. The list goes on these days.
July 24th, 2013 at 6:39 am
Root to Depression May Be In Your Stomach
Appeared in the print version as “Hidden GI Problems Can Cause Arthritis, Depression, Diabetes and More”
If you have a stomachache, nausea or some other digestive problem, you know that it stems from your gastrointestinal (GI) tract.
But very few people think of the GI system when they have a health problem such as arthritis, depression, asthma or recurring infections.
Surprising: Tens of millions of Americans are believed to have digestive problems that may not even be recognizable but can cause or complicate many other medical conditions.
Latest development:
There’s now significant evidence showing just how crucial the digestive system is in maintaining your overall health. How could hidden GI problems be responsible for such a wide range of seemingly unrelated ills?
Here’s how:
If you can’t digest and absorb food properly, your cells can’t get the nourishment they need to function properly and you can fall prey to a wide variety of ailments.
Good news:
A holistically trained clinician can advise you on natural remedies (available at health-food stores unless otherwise noted) and lifestyle changes that often can correct hidden digestive problems…*
LOW LEVELS OF STOMACH ACID
Stomach acid, which contains powerful, naturally occurring hydrochloric acid (HCl), can decrease due to age, stress and/or food sensitivities.
Adequate stomach acid is a must for killing bacteria, fungi and parasites and for the digestion of protein and minerals.
Low levels can weaken immunity and, in turn, lead to problems that can cause or complicate many ailments, including diabetes, gallbladder disease, osteoporosis, rosacea, thyroid problems and autoimmune disorders.
If you suspect that you have low stomach acid: You can be tested by a physician—or simply try the following natural remedies (adding one at a time each week until symptoms improve)…
Use apple cider vinegar. After meals, take one teaspoon in eight teaspoons of water.
Try bitters. This traditional digestive remedy usually contains gentian and other herbs. Bitters, which also are used in mixed drinks, are believed to work by increasing saliva, HCl, pepsin, bile and digestive enzymes. Use as directed on the label in capsule or liquid form.
Eat umeboshi plums. These salted, pickled plums relieve indigestion. Eat them whole as an appetizer or dessert, or use umeboshi vinegar to replace vinegar in salad dressings.
Take betaine HCl with pepsin with meals that contain protein. Typical dosage: 350 mg. You must be supervised by a health-care professional when using this supplement—it can damage the stomach if used inappropriately.
If you still have symptoms, ask your doctor about adding digestive enzymes such as bromelain and/or papain.
TOO MUCH BACTERIA
When HCl levels are low, it makes us vulnerable to small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). This condition occurs when microbes are introduced into our bodies via our food and cause a low-grade infection or when bacteria from the large intestine migrate into the small intestine, where they don’t belong.
Left untreated, this bacterial overgrowth can lead to symptoms, such as bloating, gas and changes in bowel movements, characteristic of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
In fact, some research shows that 78% of people with IBS may actually have SIBO.
SIBO is also a frequent (and usually overlooked) cause of many other health problems, including Crohn’s disease, scleroderma (an autoimmune disease of the connective tissue) and fibromyalgia.
SIBO can have a variety of causes, including low stomach acid, overuse of heartburn drugs called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) and low levels of pancreatic enzymes. Adults over age 65, who often produce less stomach acid, are at greatest risk for SIBO.
Important scientific finding:
A study recently conducted by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine found that, for unknown reasons, people with restless legs syndrome are six times more likely to have SIBO than healthy people.
To diagnose:
The best test for SIBO is a hydrogen breath test—you drink a sugary fluid, and breath samples are then collected. If hydrogen is overproduced, you may have SIBO.
The test, often covered by insurance, is offered by gastroenterologists and labs that specialize in digestive tests. A home test is available at http://www.BreathTests.com.
How to treat:
The probiotic VSL#3, available at http://www.VSL3.com, can be tried. However, antibiotics are usually needed. Rifaxamin (Xifaxan) is the antibiotic of choice because it works locally in the small intestine.
LEAKY GUT SYNDROME
The acids and churning action of the stomach blend food into a soupy liquid (chyme) that flows into the small intestine.
There, the intestinal lining performs two crucial functions—absorbing nutrients and blocking unwanted substances from entering the bloodstream.
But many factors, such as chronic stress, poor diet, too much alcohol, lack of sleep, and use of antibiotics, prednisone and certain other medications, can inflame and weaken the lining of the small intestine.
This allows organisms, such as bacteria, fungi and parasites, and toxic chemicals we encounter in our day-to-day activities, to enter the blood.
The problem, called increased intestinal permeability, or leaky gut syndrome, is bad news for the rest of your body.
What happens:
The immune system reacts to the organisms and substances as “foreign,” triggering inflammation that contributes to or causes a wide range of problems, such as allergies, skin problems, muscle and joint pain, poor memory and concentration, and chronic fatigue syndrome.
To diagnose:
A stool test that indicates the presence of parasites, yeast infections or bacterial infection is a sign of leaky gut.
So are clinical signs, such as food intolerances and allergies. However, the best test for leaky gut checks for urinary levels of the water-soluble sugars lactulose and mannitol—large amounts indicate a leaky gut.
How to treat: If you and your doctor believe that you have leaky gut, consider taking as many of the following steps as possible…
Chew your food slowly and completely to enhance digestion.
Emphasize foods and beverages that can help heal the small intestine, including foods in the cabbage family, such as kale, vegetable broths, fresh vegetable juices (such as cabbage juice), aloe vera juice and slippery elm tea.
Take glutamine. This amino acid is the main fuel for the small intestine—and a glutamine supplement is one of the best ways to repair a leaky gut.
Start with 1 g to 3 g daily, and gradually increase the dosage by a gram or two per week to up to 14 g daily. Becoming constipated is a sign that you’re using too much.
Try the probiotic L. plantarum. A supplement of this gut-friendly bacteria, such as Transformation Enzyme’s Plantadophilus, can help heal the small intestine.
Add quercetin. This antioxidant helps repair a leaky gut. In my practice, I’ve found that the product Perque Repair Guard works better than other quercetin products. Typical dosage: 1,000 mg daily.
Use digestive enzymes with meals to help ensure your food is completely digested.
Good brands: Enzymedica, Thorne and Now.
*Consult your doctor before trying these remedies—especially if you have a chronic medical condition or take any medication.
Source: Liz Lipski, PhD, CCN, a Duluth, Georgia–based nutritionist who is board-certified in clinical nutrition and holistic nutrition.
A faculty member of The Institute for Functional Medicine, an educational and research organization in Gig Harbor, Washington, dedicated to identifying and treating the underlying causes of chronic disease, she is the author of several books, including Digestive Wellness: Strengthen the Immune System and Prevent Disease Through Healthy Digestion (McGraw-Hill), http://www.InnovativeHealing.com.
July 24th, 2013 at 6:41 am
You will be found.
July 24th, 2013 at 6:43 am
Mike,TM#21, thanks, but I am so tired of hearing about Snowden.
July 24th, 2013 at 6:46 am
LeTao, why did you leave out Roman Catholicism? It is at least as bad as Islam.
July 24th, 2013 at 6:47 am
Jeremy, I feel the same way about Zimmerman and that royal baby shit.
July 24th, 2013 at 6:58 am
Zen lill, it is so difficult for me to do all the different reps. Is it okay if I can’t meet the exact number of reps?
July 24th, 2013 at 7:00 am
Interesting that you arabs write in complaining about the lack of respect for islam. My question to you is;
Can anyone but members of that cult deny after reading Zen Lill’s post that it is a religious cult designed to force women into sexual enslavement and enable men to practice pedophilia in the name of religion?
July 24th, 2013 at 7:07 am
Sorry I didn’t mean to be vague, I was referring to Zen Lill Says:
July 23rd, 2013 at 7:32 am
I fear for this little girls life bc this video has gone viral, she’s adorable and standing up for herself and get ready to tear up….
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-J7_TKgw1To 11 yr old Yemeni girl flees home to avoid being married off
Luv, Zen Lill
=======================
What would be your defense of that? Can you honestly say that you believe in a god that would condone that?
Sorry, I missed your comment Rosie Says:
July 24th, 2013 at 6:46 am;
No, It is about both. Oh, bowing to ego, may I say “Le Ta0″ is spelt with a Zero(0) not an o.
July 24th, 2013 at 7:14 am
I like that, “A religious cult designed to support pedophilia.” Sort of reminds one of the Catholic Chruch, doesn’t it?”
I also like the fresh blood here. Not that it matters, but are you male or female? Interested minds want to know.
Ekta
July 24th, 2013 at 7:17 am
LeTaO, arab men know that you are correct in your description of Islam.
If we were not forced to join, very few women would voluntarily want anything to do with that male cult.
July 24th, 2013 at 7:20 am
Norman#27, I agree. I just don’t see all the excitement about people who have nothing to do with America being such a big news event. It was covered on every MSM outlet I have seen in the last three days.
July 24th, 2013 at 7:21 am
Don’t miss Obama’s speech today 1PM Eastern time.
July 24th, 2013 at 8:44 am
Hafa Adai LeTa0. I agree with you about the catholic church. check this out.
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The Archdiocese of Agana maintains that an investigation by Church officials showed that a convicted sex offender continued to work as a volunteer at Dededo’s Santa Barbara Church, even after the Archbishop ordered Father Paul Gofigan to fire him.
A news release from the Archdiocese Monday night, defends the decision to replace Father Paul as Pastor of the Church and insists that the safety of children is foremost.
Archdiocese Archbishop Anthony is off-island and the release was issued by Vicar General Monsignor David Quitugua on behalf of the Archdiocese following the public disclosure of a July 16th letter from the Archbishop to Father Gofigan demanding his resignation, and Father Gofigan’s July 20th letter to parishioners refusing to resign.
In his letter to parishioners issued last Saturday, Father Paul said that instead of complying with the Archbishop’s demand for his resignation he has decided instead to seek a canonical hearing so he can “defend himself and save my vocation as a priest.”
Father Paul insisted in his letter to parishioners that he had complied with the Archbishop’s 2011 order that he fire a registered sex offender.
But in his release Monday night, the Archbishop However, our investigation has revealed that the person continued to have an active presence at the parish as a volunteer. The person had keys to the facilities and had an active role on church grounds in different ways.
The Archdiocese also disputes Father Gofigan’s assertion that no one from the Archdiocese contacted him before the decision was reached to relieve him as Pastor of Santa Barbara.
The Archdiocese maintains in its statement that Archbishop Apuron “DID in fact speak directly to Father Paul” last Tuesday when he asked for Father Paul’s resignation.
The statement from the Archdiocese explains that “Father Paul was asked to resign because he disobeyed a directive from the Archbishop … he was asked to terminate … an employee publically known to have a sex offense on his record.”
And while expressing regret at having to demand Father Paul’s resignation, the ARchdiocese statement emphasisizes that “..in light of the painful lessons the Church and all of society have had to endure in recent years – and still endures – we must abide by standards that will safeguard all children in our care.”
Archbishop Apuron has appointed Father Dan Bien, Parochial Administrator of Santa Barbara Church in Dededo as the replacement for Father Paul.
Father Paul is still a priest with the Archdiocese of Agana “at this time”, states the release.
===================
Notice the church is pushing the lie that they are concerned about the children. They are only concerned about financial liability.
They still refuse to weed out those priest who have been guilty of child abuse or allow anyone to know if one is serving in their parish.
July 24th, 2013 at 10:05 am
Anna of Guam, Hafa adai,
Your post was not accurate perhaps you should have included the exonerating details that would show the Church in a better light.
==========================
The release from the Archdiocse:
Archdiocese Statement Regarding Father Paul Gofigan
Effective July 17, 2013 His Excellency Archbishop Anthony Sablan Apuron appointed Father Dan Bien, Parochial Administrator of Santa Barbara Church in Dededo.
Father Dan replaces Father Paul Gofigan as the Parochial Administrator. Father Paul is still a priest and at this time, a priest with the Archdiocese of Agana.
However, in light of specific assertions made by Father Paul in a letter he widely disseminated publicly July 20, the Archdiocese is compelled to respond to set the record straight. Here are the facts:
I. INVESTIGATION & COMMUNICATION:
Father Paul stated in his letter he was asked to resign despite following the Archbishop’s directive. He wrote, “… this entire issue could have been cleared up if they had simply spoken with me, and done a basic investigation…”
The Archbishop DID in fact speak directly to Father Paul. He and the Vicar General, Msgr. David C. Quitugua, spoke to Father Paul in a meeting July 16 as he was informed of the decision.
There WAS an investigation on the matter. Father Paul was informed of this in that same meeting and in the letter he received July 16. He was given an opportunity to respond.
II. SAFETY OF CHILDREN FOREMOST:
Father Paul was asked to resign because he disobeyed a directive from the Archbishop. In 2011, he was asked to terminate employment of an employee publically known to have a sex offense on his record.
Father Paul asserts in his letter that he did terminate the employee. However, our investigation has revealed that the person continued to have an active presence at the parish as a volunteer. The person had keys to the facilities and had an active role on church grounds in different ways.
It should be understood by everyone that the Church has the utmost compassion for all people, even those who have fallen and may have committed crimes in the past. We are all sinners; the Church is comprised of sinners. We welcome and do not bar anyone from our Masses.
It pains the Archbishop and the Church to have to take this action against a brother priest. Father Paul is and has long been a very good, faithful priest in the Church on Guam.
However, especially in light of the painful lessons the Church and all of society have had to endure in recent years – and still endures – we must abide by standards that will safeguard all children in our care. As Jesus teaches us, the youngest are among the must vulnerable among us and great care must be given to safeguard them.
A school full of children is in very close proximity to the parish. Confraternity of Christian Doctrine (CCD) students, Confirmation students and other youth groups are part of the parish.
As the Archbishop clearly stated in his letter and was communicated to Father Paul, this is a serious matter which prompted him to act decisively. It was done with much prayer, with a review of the facts and with the ultimate consideration being the safety of our children.
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I am trying to get the letter that Paul Gofigan sent to his Parish.