Hafa adai,
This time, I’d like to share a short story that became a topic of conversation among the locals from last month to the beginning of this month.
Do you remember that in May 2023, Typhoon Mawar made a direct hit on Guam? The entire island experienced power outages and water shortages, along with extensive damage to buildings, including collapses and flooding.
During this, people were shocked and surprised by the collapse of the Chief Kepuha statue in Hagåtña. Chief Kepuha was a high chief who ruled the Hagåtña area in the 1600s and is also known for being the first adult Chamorro to be baptized into Catholicism. Today, most of Guam’s population practices Catholicism. The collapse of a statue of such an important figure in the Catholic history of Guam was a significant event.
The arrival of Catholicism in Guam dates back to 1521 when Portuguese explorer Ferdinand Magellan and his crew landed on the island. This marked the beginning of Spanish colonization, which brought about westernization in various aspects of life, including religion. People gradually converted from the indigenous beliefs to Catholicism.
The photo above is of the Catholic Church, San Vitores Church, located on the main street of Tumon, San Vitores Road.
One of the key figures in the spread of Catholicism in Guam was Father Diego Luis de San Vitores, who arrived on the island in 1668 for missionary work. People became interested in his teachings, and children began receiving baptism. The first adult Chamorro to receive Catholic baptism was Chief Kepuha, who was the head of Hagåtña at that time.
The photo above is of the first Catholic church in Guam, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, built by Chief Kepuha.
Father San Vitores’ missionary work later contributed to the Chamorro-Spanish War, but after the war, Catholic teachings gradually became integrated into the daily lives of the people, and this continued to be passed down through generations. Chief Kepuha, as the first Chamorro Catholic, is a highly respected figure among the Chamorro people.
The photo above shows the Chief Kepuha statue that was replaced after it was destroyed by the typhoon. The new statue was unveiled on March 31st of last month, and many people gathered for the ceremony. It was widely reported in the media, and people talked to their families, colleagues, and friends saying, “The Kepuha statue has been rebuilt.”
Because Guam is a small island, the island’s history and culture are deeply intertwined with the lives of its people. Locals take great pride in it and hold a strong interest in these matters. This is a little story from Guam.
