The archdiocese’s newsletter “The Pacific Voice” published Archbishop Anthony Apuron’s letter, where he stated “Catholics must avoid voting for any candidate who intends to support programs or laws that are intrinsically evil.”
The Pacific Voice also published a list of 12 senatorial candidates and one gubernatorial candidate whom the Church has blacklisted for supporting same-sex marriage.
University of Guam student Marlon Mariano said he is neutral on the issue although he is a Catholic himself.
“One the one hand, I don’t think there is anywhere in the Bible that states same-sex marriage is a crime. But at the same time, I agree with [Apuron] because it’s the whole idea of society and with the normality of how the world revolves and how we live our lives,” Mariano said.
However, Mariano said the archbishop crossed the line when he used the word “evil” in referring to candidates who support same-sex unions.
The political candidates made known their positions on social issues through the survey conducted by the advocacy group Esperansa Project.
Fourteen of the 17 questions involved abortion issues. One question asked candidates whether they support Vice Speaker BJ Cruz’s Bill 185, which seeks to legalize same-sex unions on Guam.
Senatorial candidate Jonathan Carriaga, one of the 12 blacklisted senatorial candidates, issued a statement in response to the survey questions from Esperansa.
While he didn’t submit his survey form, Carriaga wrote to the group spokeswoman Dr. Marjorie DeBenedictis.
“After reading the questions in the survey I felt rather uncomfortable about the leading manner — almost deceptive way — that the authors had posed the questions, as if to ensnare candidates,” Carriaga stated.
Mariflor Herrero, of Nimitz Hill Estates, applauded Apuron for taking a stand. “There are certain things I agree and disagree on. He’s right because he has a responsibility to let the parishioners know what is going on because some people don’t know what’s going on,” Herrero said.
“What people don’t understand is that it doesn’t mean they have to listen to him. It’s up to them to vote for whomever they want to,” she added.
