The Vatican’s search for a new archbishop for the Archdiocese of Agaña has officially begun. The process could take several months to a year, or as many as three years,
Pope Francis on Tuesday accepted the resignation of Michael Jude Byrnes as archbishop of the Archdiocese of Agaña following Byrnes’ extended medical leave over a “life-changing illness.”
Archbishop Michael J. Byrnes / Archdiocese of Detroit.Rome Newsroom, Mar 28, 2023 / 04:55 am (CNA).Pope Francis on Tuesday accepted the resignation of Archbishop Michael J. Byrnes of Agaña, Guam. Byrnes, 64, has led the Catholic Church on the U.S. island territory since the 2019 conviction of its former Archbishop Anthony S. Apuron for the sexual abuse of minors.Pacific Daily News, a Guam-based news site, reported in December 2022 that Byrnes was on extended leave from his duties as archbishop for unspecified medical reasons.Father Romeo Convocar, who has been overseeing the archdiocese in Byrnes absence, in December asked for continued prayers for the archbishop who "has always appreciated the kindness of the people."On March 28, Pope Francis appointed Convocar apostolic administrator of the Archdiocese of Agaña until the nomination of a new archbishop.According to Pacific Daily News, Byrnes left Guam in late June 2022.Byrnes, who is from Detroit, Michigan, was appointed