Guam's clergy was called to the chancery this morning under the impression that their input was wanted on how to address the dismal results of the 2013 Annual Appeal. Instead they were given a lecture and a document indicating the sums their parishes would be assessed in 2014.
Apparently, still believing that at some point their input would be asked for, the clergy listened for awhile until finally one brave priest asked if their input was actually wanted or if this was a done deal.
The clergy was confused because never before had their parishes been actually "assessed" a defined dollar amount for what is officially called an appeal! An appeal is just that, an appeal, a request. By definition it is not a demand or an assessment.
To add to the confusion, whoever put the document together called the assessment an "allocation", which is the very opposite of an assessment. In fact, if the document titled "2014 Estimated Annual Appeal Allocations" is taken at face value, it would indicate that it would be the Chancery which would be paying the parishes the "allocated" amounts!
Talk about a comedy of errors!
When the Archbishop was asked point blank if the amounts indicated on the 2014 Estimated Annual Appeal Allocations was his decision, he confirmed that it was. Recognizing that there was no interest in their input, another brave member of the clergy, realizing that they had been hoodwinked into another waste of time, called for the meeting to be adjourned and it was.
Silence and don't question tactic again. So his Royal Highness on the hill has proclaimed yet another decree which the clergy must follow. These priests should just boycott these DAMM meetings.
ReplyDeleteLet the people of Guam decide. If the archbishop gets to his 253,000 USD then we assume the people of Guam respect him and his administration. But if he fails to collect it is a sign he has become unacceptable to the church of Guam.
ReplyDeleteI may have been facetious with my previous comment regarding how the challenge of having English as a second language may have resulted in the misinterpretation of the GIRM. However, the “2014 Estimated Annual Appeal Allocations” document highlights the writer’s limitations with the English language.
ReplyDelete• “Allocation” is the act of distributing according to a specific plan. According to the explanation of this document, each parish is required to collect a specific amount of money in 2014. This requirement is not an “allocation”; it is an “assessment.”
• “Appeal” is a request — not a demand — for help or support. Again “assessment” would have been a more appropriate term.
In order to accurately reflect the purpose of the document (1) the word “allocation” should be replaced with the term “assessment”; (2) the word “appeal” should be eliminated; and (3) the document should be renamed “2014 Estimated Annual Assessment” since that is what it truly is.
Otherwise the pastors should unite and take the document at face value, demanding that the Chancery provide parishes with the “allocated” amounts!
The diocesan priests of Guam need to stand up to Apuron and his two minions and bring an end to his abuse of power.
ReplyDeleteHere we go again! Word of warning to the BRAVE priest...watch your back! Please pastors, stand up for your people. We can't let the man on the hill bully the people of Guam and its priests. I have been reading the blog, and I am beginning to think that our Capuchin priests will be getting my support with monetary contributions. Do they have local seminarians studying here?
ReplyDeleteEileen Gofigan, according to the JW post on Tuesday, January 28, 2014, titled "Where to Route Your Donations," it was noted that St. Fidelis Friary currently has eight men, all from Guam, currently in formation.
DeleteIn the months since your brother was wrongfully removed from Sta. Barbara Parish I have stopped dropping my money into the collection basket. Instead I use the funds for Mass Intentions and/or donations to the Friary.
The Archbishop has been ill-advised lately. I am heartbroken by all these demands on our parishes and the effects of these happenings on our local Catholic community, but he is still our Archbishop and deserves our respect. Mostly, I think he needs our prayers. Please pray for him!
ReplyDeleteI believe so too. It has been a rather constant refrain in most of my posts, especially the early ones. He is being very ill-advised, yet he presses on. I believe he feels he is very secure with the neo leaders and is sure they will take care of him.
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