Saturday, July 12, 2014

TO ARCHBISHOP MARTIN KREBS RE CONCERNS SPECIFIC TO THE NEOCATECHUMENAL WAY

Dear Archbishop Krebs,

Many of the laity have asked to meet with you and express their concerns. The fact that there are so many and so many concerns should itself speak loudly of our grave situation here. We know that you will not be able to meet with everyone and that many have already expressed their concerns to you via email. 

Since your time with us is limited, I was asked to post the following list of concerns specific to the Neocatechumenal Way as it is experienced here in Guam. These concerns have been collected and compiled from the many comments and emails I have received. There are many more. 

Thank you for your kind attention. We hope you can help us.

  • Cult of personality centered on Kiko Arguello.  Some members on Guam have called him, "the prophet Kiko Arguello"
  • No respect for other Catholic evangelical movements and initiatives, e.g. ridiculing Cursillo
  • Significant doctrinal deviations with respect to the Eucharist and eschatology
  • Psychological leveraging and the exercise of cult-like techniques (e.g. Second Scrutiny)
  • liturgical abuses
  • A hierarchy of catechists that exercises an authority independent of the bishops
  • No financial accountability whatsoever
  • Worship separate and apart from the parish, including the Triduum
  • Little respect for the indigenous culture of Guam by their leaders
  • Poor theological and pastoral formation of priests at the Redemptoris Mater seminary
  • The Archbishop’s decisions and acts are based on the needs and desires of the Neo, not the entire archdiocese. 
  • The Archbishop has failed to not only rise above the fray, he has become subservient to one part of that fray. 
  • The Archbishop acts and deeds have irrevocably divided this community. 
  • The Archbishop may claim that this is not true and he may actually believe it, but his acts and deeds belie his words. 
  • The Archbishop directed that all fiesta masses be moved up by one hour so that he can have time to return his home and preside over the Neo mass at his home every Saturday night. 
  • The Archbishop holds “pizza” dinners every Sunday evening for the Neo seminarians and the Neo missionaries (compare their treatment, which is lavish, to how the archbishop treats non Neo priests---it pales in comparison!). 
  • The Archbishop will not participate in any other archdiocesan event if it interferes with his Neo retreat or some other Neo event, such as his glaring absence from the opening novena and mass for the patroness saint of Guam, Santa Maria Kamalen because he is holding his pizza Sunday night event, and the recent 65th Anniversary Father Duenas Memorial School Gala dinner because he was at a Neo retreat. 
  • The Archbishop personally takes every newly ordained Neo priest to his hometown for their first personal Mass to places as far away as Italy, Poland, and South America, something that no other bishop in this world has done.  
  • The Archbishop's Vicar General, Chancellor, Vice Chancellor, and most of the employees at the Chancery are Neo members. 
  • He fired the entire Archdiocesan Finance Council members because they voted against giving the Yona property (worth millions) to the Neo, and replaced the Council with Neo members. 
  • He told Fr. M and Fr. J that he will incardinate them in Guam only if they join the Neo (apparently, their long years of dedicated service and loyalty to this archdiocese was not enough). 
  • Yet, with Fathers Santiago, Gallagher, and Wadsen, he, without consultation with his presbyterial council and college of consulters and in violation of canon law, incardinated these Neo priests despite no connection to Guam other than that they are Neo priests.  
  • These priests had left (reason thereof no one knows for sure) their dioceses and needed a benevolent bishop to incardinate them in order to function as a priest.  
  • He fired Fr. Paul threatening that if he did not resign, he would face a painful and arduous experience in the closure of his assignment at Santa Barbara (imagine the message he has given to other non Neo priests---get out of line in what I want to do and you will face a painful and arduous consequence).  
  • The Neo priests, especially those from the Yona seminary, have free and unfettered access to him, unlike for the non Neo priests. 
  • Fr. Pius, the spiritual master of the Neo in Guam, stays at the archbishop home. 
  • The Archbishop is not the impartial and fair leader that he swore to be when he was ordained, and that is required to be a good and effective bishop. 
  • The Neo's proclaim that anyone and everyone are invited to their Saturday masses. Well, if that is true, why aren’t these masses published in the parish bulletins, and why aren’t they announced. And why hold them outside the Church? Why are they so inaccessible? The answer is clear. They are not set up for anyone to come. They are designed to serve only members of the Neo.
  • The Neo's proclaim that they are not elitist, cultic, secretive, and arrogant, but when they have the Archbishop in their pocket and when they tell us not to fret and whine but to come and listen, what kind of message is being conveyed? The message is this: whatever we are currently doing in our journey to know and love our Lord within the Catholic Church, it is not enough. You can only be saved if you join the Neo. 
  • These catechists are allowed unfettered access to masses to announce their upcoming catechesis, and what is that message? They were once lost and now they are saved. How arrogant is that?
  • Whether they have intended it or not, every non Neo is made to feel inadequate because of the special treatment the Neo receives from the archbishop and because of the message they convey, a message the archbishop has totally embraced.  
  • In the parishes the Neo's have permanently occupied parish rooms or offices, 
  • The Neo's make use of rooms or spaces without paying anything, 
  • The Neo's hold meetings there and they hold events there, freely and without restraint. Now see for yourself if these Neo parishes allow such unfettered uses by non Neo groups or persons. . 
  • The Neo's have catechists who go around preaching and forming groups, and thereafter each group elects a Responsible as their leader. 
  • Members of these Neo groups are instructed to check with their catechists and responsibles before they make any decision involving themselves, their children, their work, etc. In other words, these responsibles and catechists have become their spiritual and secular counselor in all aspects of their lives. 
  • The Neo's are not told to go see their parish priest or any priest for that matter. 
  • In short, these responsibles and catechists have supplanted the parish priest in their roles as spiritual teacher and counselor for these members and their children. They have become priests in their own right. 
  • None of these non-clerical responsibles and catechists undergoes the rigorous formation of becoming a priest. They are all lay persons.  Yet, they preach and teach as though they are priests steeped in the teachings and doctrines of the Church. Very scary and very dangerous indeed! 
  • The Neo are fond of saying that they do not neglect going to parish masses and in fact are instructed to go to one once a month. But in practice they don’t. Why? It’s only human nature not to do so. Why go to another mass after you had spent several hours on a Saturday night with your “family” for mass (Eucharist is how they describe it) and then dine with them afterwards? And the powers that be of the Neo know this and do not do anything about it. Why? Because the regular mass we all attend is not worth attending in their eyes. 
  • And as for the masses (Eucharist) on Saturday nights, why hold them separately from the rest of the faithful? Why not in a regular Church as everyone else do?  This fact alone sends a clear message that what the Neo does is special and privileged and only by joining the Neo will you be also to enjoy this privileged status and perk. 
  • And the nature of the Eucharist? Yes, they are significantly different from a regular mass, and why are they? Because they do things differently, and because they are treated with special deference and favor by our archbishop, their status is indeed has been elevated above the rest of the faithful. They are better than us. They are different. 
  • The Neo's hold special knowledge to salvation. They sing different songs. They dance at mass and at funerals. They confessed their sins publicly. They mouthed off mantras to make them feel different. 
  • Invariably, the Neo's can't help but feel that that they are special and different indeed (especially in this archdiocese) and they deserve special attention and status. The rest of us have to struggle along, and yet, they tell us that we can change our status but only if we listen and join the Neo. 
  • The Neo believe that they are not only the way to salvation but they are the salvation for the Catholic Church. Period. They truly believe that without them, the Catholic Church is doomed. Apparently, our archbishop feels the same way.
  • There are about 500 Neo's in Guam, or less than ½ of 1 percent of Guam’s Catholic population, and yet they wield enormous power that is atrociously disproportionate to their size and numbers. They have the Archbishop to thank for that.
  • Why does the Archbishop allow the Neo's to send women with vocations in the religious life to a Carmelite monastery in New Jersey when Guam is home to a Carmelite monastery for over 40 years?  Is it because that particular Carmelite monastery in New Jersey is a Neo Carmelite monastery and Fr. Pius is the spiritual director? And what does the Archbishop say about it? Nothing. He allows it, and in fact supports it by presiding over masses in the New Jersey monastery for our Guam women. Just check around. There are hundreds of pictures verifying this fact. 
  • This is just one more piece of evidence of the Archbishop's bias in favor of the Neo, a bias that corrodes and undermines the unity of the Catholic Church in Guam. 
  • The Archbishop will sacrifice anything and anyone in Guam for his beloved Neo. 
  • The Neo collects a substantial sum of money from their members during a scrutiny, amounts that can go over a hundred thousand dollars for just one scrutiny alone. The archbishop personally receives a special cut, a “gift”, from these amounts of money, with one neocat saying as high as 50%.  Why? And does he keep the money for himself? And if he does, is this not improper? It sure does not pass the “smell” test!
  • Because of the way it was designed, the Neo is by nature cultic, secretive, and elitist. It holds separate masses and in private homes or locations. 
  • The liturgy is different. The songs are different. The music is different. They dance around a make-shift altar (it is called the banquet table). They clap during mass and at funerals. The effect is earthy, and it is designed to make one feel emotionally connected to the liturgy. 
  • They publicly share their sins and life stories. They meet as a group for the Word every week, and more for preparations. 
  • They report to responsibles and catechists, not to pastors or priests. 
  • They have their own unique icons, statutes, and cards that are sold in Neo stores. 
  • They teach that the group to which you belong is now your new family, and only family.  
  • They are taught that the Neo is reclaiming what was done in the early Church, and that what they do is the true and authentic Church. 
  • They have special liturgies for Easter mass, Pentecost, and other events. They have Neo priests and Neo seminaries. 
  • The Neo priests all follow the same line of thought, and that is why their homilies are all the same. They say the same things over and over.  
  • Original thought, creative thinking, and questions are discouraged or repressed. They are told to just follow the script and stay with the script. Do not deviate. 
  • Thus, they all imitate each other or their leaders by growing beards and uttering the same cues and making the same gestures.  
  • The Neo priests are told that they are now different, and are made to feel different. They are made to feel special and hence superior, and that the Neo is the only way to salvation. 
  • Even the seminarians are made to feel different and superior, as though what they do and how they are being formed is different, and hence superior, to other seminarians. 
  • Their differences are touted. Unity and communion with the mainstream church is either ignored or deemphasized. 
  • They become Born Again Christians. 
  • And because of how they are molded, they naturally become defensive if questioned or asked about their ways. 
  • They simply respond by saying try it first before you make conclusions, as though one needs to see something before it can be accepted as truth or fact. Christianity would have died out shortly after Christ ascended into heaven if that was the case. 
  • Yes, they have helped those who become members and indeed have saved marriages and promote life, but because of the way it was designed or formatted, the inherent differences found in the Neo keeps them separate and apart from the rest of the faithful, and hence a natural cause of division within the Church. 
  • Perhaps those problems are for Rome to address, but the bishop of a diocese can do much to manage and massage, if not eliminate, these structural problems and to preserve unity. 
  • Unfortunately, our archbishop, by joining the Neo, has chosen to follow, not lead and preside. 
  • This is the message that our archbishop has conveyed and this is why our archdiocese is irrevocably divided. 

To the readers of this blog. If there is anything you would like to add, please note it in the comments. 

50 comments:

  1. Due to his affinity for the NCW, the archbishop has shirked his duties as archbishop, he has not heeded the Pope's admonishment to stop being an airport bishop, has not performed pastoral visits in at least the last ten years, and requires pastors to "cater" to the NCW at the expense of other lay organizations.The presbyteral council and college of pastors has been manipulated by placing NCW priests who are still "green behind the ears" in positions as pastors, while "seasoned priests" who are not for the NCW sit on the sidelines, or at best are placed as administrators.
    Why does this diocese have to support this lay organization and their functions, instead of diocesan functions, instead of our own diocesan seminary?

    ReplyDelete
  2. Please add:
    Denying local sons the option to study and be formed in a traditional diocesan seminary, lying to them about the lack of financial resources, and trying to coerce them to attend the neo seminary and to be formed in the Neo way. This Archbishop does not promote local vocations, only vocations which will benefit the Neocatechumenal Way.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Why do we keep persecuting one another? Especially persecuting the neocatechumenal way? What are we to gain out of all these? The truth? We are all human, and are all very weak, To include myself.

      Delete
  3. You definitely waisted your time here, writing all these things that are untrue.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wrote NOT A ONE. Almost all were written by ex Neo's who woke up and were brave enough to confront the truth and escape.

      Delete
    2. 9:08am It's 'wasted' not 'waisted'. Go read a dictionary.

      Delete
  4. The biggest issue is that the Neos are a separate church. Again and again they tell us so when they come to our Masses and tell us that we need to leave the regular Catholic Church and join the Neo Church if we are to avoid remaining "spiritually dry" or "lukewarm." The Neos have a different liturgy on account of the simple fact that the Neos have a different theology. The difference in liturgies is not for nothing. The most tragic aspect of this is that the Archbishop is using his power -- and most shockingly, our resources -- to destroy the regular Catholic Church and replace it with the Neo Church. I really hope and pray that the Apostolic Delegate understands all of this.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Tim, I think you should attend the Eucharist to make sure the Archbishop don't change it. I heard that Archbishop Krebs will be there to celebrate with them.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Check this out on the web site of St. Dorothy Catholic Church in Glendora, CA. It lists John Howard Wadeson, a priest incardinated in the Archdiocese of Agana under the heading, "The following clergy have no faculties to minister (no permission to exercise the priestly office) in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles." Wadeson is near the bottom of the list.

    You can see Wadeson on the Bishop Accountability web site. He has two credible sexual abuse accusations lodged against him, but maybe no criminal charges. See http://bishop-accountability.org/priestdb/PriestDBbylastName-W.html

    Wadeson, an Australian, served in Los Angeles as an SVD (Divine Word Missionary) and has been in the States for many decades. John Wadeson attended Divine Word Missionaries at St. Michael’s Mission House, Conesus, New York in the early 1960's, then studied in Chicago until ordained in 1969 I think.

    What the hell is going on?

    ReplyDelete
  7. There is a priest, incardinated in the Archdiocese of Agana, Guam, who, according to this website has “no faculties to minister in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.”
    http://www.stdorothychurch.com/content/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=727:the-following-clergy-have-no-faculties-to-minister&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=50

    The priest came to Guam around the year 2000 as a member of the Neocatechumenal Way. He was quickly incardinated by Archbishop Apuron. His name is also on this list:
    http://bishop-accountability.org/priestdb/PriestDBbylastName-W.html

    What’s up Archbishop?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Unbelievable Tim reading this. What about the priest you read about this morning in your private email. Do you have to be n.way to receive help from the Archbishop.

      Delete
    2. Arcbishop Apuron does not control the archdiocese.

      he exchanged his soul for money years ago leading to the present crisis of leadership.

      Delete
    3. What does it mean to "have no faculties".

      Who is this Fr. Wadeson anyway?

      Delete
    4. Cannot function, at least in a public way, as a priest.

      Delete
    5. Ooh what did he do? and why are we paying someone who is supposedly "incardinated" here to be vacationing indefinitely in California?
      Why was he released from Australia in the first place? Why Archbishop, why?

      Delete
    6. So we htre priests with questionable pasts at best that have been released from their diocese/order, but with our own local son it's guilty till proven innocent?

      Delete
  8. Is the list complete.

    ReplyDelete
  9. 12.46. Problem. How many others same situation?

    ReplyDelete
  10. The following clergy have no faculties to minister (no permission to exercise the priestly office) in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. Please call the Parish Office and/or the Vicar for Clergy Office should they present themselves for any ministry here. Also, please inform us if you have any concerns about anyone who claims to be a priest. All visiting priests should present a valid Statement of Suitability for Ministry from their bishop/superior. Please keep these individuals in your prayers.

    Rev. John Howard Wadeson Archdiocese of Agaña, Guam. WHAT IS THE REASON THIS NAME IS LISTED?????

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. MY NOTE: I know Fr. Wadeson and I personally like and respect him. However, as for now, I cannot deny that his name is on that list. If I didn't let the comment through I could be accused of covering something up. I invite Fr.Wadeson or someone from the chancery to provide a correction or clarification.

      I will NOT let any comments through that make any allegations. It is not uncommon for priests to be wrongly accused. The bishop's accountability web site shows that no case was brought against him. I would like to clear this up as soon as possible.

      Also, we can note that a priest may not have faculties in a diocese simply because he has not procured permission from the bishop of that diocese. However, this list looks like there is another reason for it.

      Delete
    2. Isn't Wadeson working in SFO? Why would he apply for faculties in LAX?

      Delete
    3. That's not a list of people who haven't applied.

      Delete
  11. Wade son was here last year for Rector meeting.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Thank you, Tim....let's get this Wadeson thing cleared up.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Janet B - MangilaoJuly 14, 2014 at 2:43 PM

      Yes. Let's clear up the Fr John Wadeson issue.Our Fr John is one and the same as the Fr John listed on the reports, who used to be an SVD priest.
      So, if the Archbishop or even Fr John himself can clear things up we can move on to the many other problems facing Guam's church.
      If Fr John had his faculties stripped in LA then why did we restore them in Guam by incardinating him here?
      If LA felt there was a serious risk of having him minister there, what investigation was done here that shows he no longer poses a risk to our diocese?
      A few simple, straightforward answers will do much to help us understand why he was brought to Guam, and help alleviate our fears that he may be a threat to Guam in the same way LA viewed him as a threat over there.
      Archbishop - any answers?

      Delete
    2. Wadeson on list of ok priests in SFO

      Delete
  13. Just one comment to add on to the list of discrepancies of the Neos as compared to the rest of us "normal Catholics". I had posted this question earlier, but I hadn't seen answer, so I ask it again: I heard from a Neo-friend of mine who will vouch for its veracity that the "Hail Mary" is not used or prayed at any religious activities of the Neo. Is this true? Could someone (Neo or non-Neo) respond? I can understand why our other non-Catholic brethren do not, because many of the Mariology dogmas, teachings, prractices (e.g. Immaculate Conception, the Virgin Birth, Mary's assumption into Heaven, her unique intercessory role in Heaven, her apparitions and messages at Lourdes, Fatima and other places) since they are not Catholics and do not subscribe to our Faith. But Neos are, or so they claim to be - in fact they claim to be the "fullness of Catholicism". Do they not believe in Mary, the Mother of God? Do they attend the annual December 8 Immaculate Conception Procession in Hagatna, and pray the rosary and sing her hymn while we march in procession - or do they just march in silence? Is devotion to Mary wrong, or right? Do they believe in Santa Marian Kamalin? Why do they attend Mass at the Cathedral which is named after Mary - the Dulce Nombre de Maria Basilica?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't know that they do or do not. However, I assume they believe in Mary as their seminary at Yona is called "Alma Redemptoris Mater Seminary" . "Alma Redemptoris" is Latin for "Mother of Our Redeemer". If they DO say the Hail Mary or the rosary, then your friend's information is inaccurate. But if they DO NOT, your question is still valid --WHY NOT? It certainly calls for an answer.

      Delete
    2. The reason why you're probably wondering is that for all the Mary icons and the name of their seminaries, one hears little to nothing about about Mary in any witnessing or talks that the general Catholic populace is exposed to. Also out of the 437 pages in Volume 1 of Kiko's Catechesis, the word rosary appears once but only as a comparison to something else. There is no exhortation to pray it.

      Probably the best evidence that something is amiss when it comes to Mary and the Neocatechumenal Way is the instruction found in Art 14. § 4. of the Statute for the NCW, requiring devotions outside of Mass including the rosary:

      § 4. The neocatechumens are also instructed gradually in Eucharistic devotion outside Mass, in nocturnal adoration, in the recitation of the Holy Rosary and in other practices of piety of Catholic tradition.

      This could be seen simply as a general reference, but given the noticeable absence of any mention of Mary amongst the neocatechumens, this instruction is probably there for a reason.

      Delete
    3. Really Exciting News!! Yet another Neo Blogger has joined in the discussions. The Neocatechumenal Way in Guam. Hooray, now we find out the truth. The Guitars are only 95.00 usd at Town House! That's only one juicy fact. Read for yourselves about where y'all can get the carpets. Well this attempt will finally flatline Tim Tim. Hope new Neo Guy can explain about incardinating John Howard Wadeson. Bet he can get on it faster than Tim. Gogogo! New Neo Guy. You hVe a lot of catching up to do. Yup, lots of 'splainin'....take your time. We have been waiting . Welcome to blogger. Hope you won't have to quit your day job.

      Delete
    4. To anon@1.08, like my old Latin teacher liked to pound into us beware of light translations.
      You jump to a loose conclusion. But it is easy to understand the confusion.

      Alma is indeed nourishing, nurturing,or fostering.
      Retemptoris means a purveyor, a provider, a redeemer one who buys back
      and Mater of course is Mother or Lady.
      Hence the commonly used expression of Alma Mater for your college. (the mother that nourished you, gave you knowledge)
      Therefore the more accurate translation would be Loving Mother of our Redeemer.
      Other options: Loving mother of God (since he is often called our Redeemer).
      As you see here, the grossly easy association of Alma Mater as a place of learning, with Redeemer, or Savior.
      Which can be then understood as our "Savior's place of learning" or our Savior's School....which coming from Kikko is certainly not happening by accident.
      With the NCW there are always many, many shades of grey.
      People can see into it what they want and this is fine with the Kikkobots, who then have many ways to explain, excuse and justify........

      Delete
  14. Was this priest ordained here or just incardinated and when?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. incardinated, without notice and consultation. Poor Fr. Manny and Jun who have been here for over 25 years each. If only they had subscribed to the NCW, then they would be incardinated here without hesitation. What the archbishop has done is an abuse of his power and authority, a travesty!!!!!

      Delete
    2. College of Consultors not consulted much. Too much pain in the butt.

      Delete
    3. Archbishop depended heavily upon him in beginning of Neo enterprise here. Wadeson. And PIUS,!

      Delete
    4. How is that presto incardination even possible?? Just like POTUS. making his own rules as he goes along. Power goe to the head.

      Delete
    5. Priests in N. way safe.Priest not conforming to N way aaa does not want on Guam. Evidence shows.

      Delete
    6. Could be some confusion woth John Wadeson. Some listing as SVD Divine Word Fathers....they do minister in Australian province, however. Ordained 69 makes him around 70 . just wondering if it is the same. Unusual name though. John Howard Wadeson.

      Delete
    7. aaa consults pius only.

      Delete
    8. 71 Los Angeles Wadeson, John Divine Word Missionaries S.V.D. 1973 - 1977 2 accused This seems like a different guy. Thought he was from Australia.

      Delete
  15. Expound on ur thought about Mother mary. Tim

    ReplyDelete
  16. Pius great influence over aaa.
    Greater influence than consulates.
    Greater influence than moral or natural law.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Pls ADD most of their teachings are heresies.

    ReplyDelete
  18. From Diana,

    If you want to be a priest you need to be obedient to the NCW and join the NCW....

    Catholics UnitedJuly 14, 2014 at 12:11 AM

    The Archbishop cannot force any person into the NCW regardless if that person needs the Archbishops sponsorship. The solicitation of obedience through coercion is an immoral act.

    @10:29 The island of Guam has "pumped money" into that seminary since it began. I have "pumped money" into it. I have volunteered and fixed equipment on the grounds.

    Don't insult me with your la sciochezza, how's my italian

    DianaJuly 14, 2014 at 12:24 AM

    Dear Catholics United,

    If that is the case, then the person is not really interested in being a priest. Part of being a priest is to make a vow of obedience to the Archbishop. If the person cannot commit to this vow, he has no business being a priest.

    ReplyDelete
  19. John Wadeson listed among 500 approved priests in SFO ?..... ?????? What's the deal here.

    ReplyDelete
  20. @7:05 pm......we still want to know why he is on any lists with 2accusations. Why isn't Wadeson here? What's he do in the states? Are we paying his stipend??

    ReplyDelete
  21. Every point mentioned regarding the Neo Way is TRUTH!

    ReplyDelete
  22. They attempt to be like everybody else.

    ReplyDelete