Guam archbishop to ask pope for prayers in anti-gambling campaign

Published: 2004-09-03

HAGATNA, Guam (CNS) -- Archbishop Anthony Sablan Apuron said he planned to ask Pope John Paul II for his blessings and prayers as the Catholic community on Guam fights new efforts to introduce casino gambling on the island. The archbishop of Agana was to leave for Rome Sept. 7 to take part in his "ad limina" visit, required every five years to report on the status of the archdiocese. Archbishop Apuron said he would bring along thousands of signatures from Guam Catholics united against gambling when he meets with the pope sometime in mid-September. "In presenting this to the Holy Father I ask for his blessing for the good of the people of Guam and the archdiocese," the archbishop said. The U.S. island of Guam is predominantly Catholic and the faith community has been instrumental in defeating previous moves to establish organized gambling on the island within the past three decades. The latest move comes in the form of an initiative called Proposal A, which island residents will vote on during Guam's general election Nov. 2. If it passes, Proposal A will allow for as many as 10 hotels on Guam to operate casino gambling on their premises.

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