My response to an ongoing criticism of my call to withhold all Appeal funds until we have some proof of 1) the academic credibility of the institution we are being asked to support, and 2) that the funds are going where we think they're going. You can read the comment as posted here, as well as the previous comments.
Anonymous has left a new comment on your post "NOTICE TO SEMINARIANS AT JP2":
It seems to me that the seminarians (the local, diocesan vocations which we endeavor to support) are still unjustly trapped in this scenario.
Having seminarians give appeal talks at local parishes is standard practice in many dioceses throughout the United States (and, apparently, Guam). It's not at if these men are out to meet a quota, rather they are doing their part to garner support for the diocese which supports them.
Where is the evidence that "the diocese supports them"? The "diocese" is officially Archbishop Apuron. Archbishop Apuron had no intention of creating a second seminary until RMS was exposed. In a recent meeting with someone known to me, Apuron told him that he erected JP2 "because they wanted it". "They" meaning those of us who oppose his neocatechumenal agenda. Obviously he doesn't want it, and insiders have reported that Apuron privately mocks the seminarians: "they think they are going to be diocesans". Meaning, he's going to make them neo's. This is why Adrian told Richard Kidd a few years ago: "In the Archdiocese of Agana the diocesan priesthood is no more. There is only the neocatechumenal way."
In fact, the Archdiocese itself has told us that there is NO OTHER SEMINARY other than RMS. Five months after AAA announced the erection of JP2 on Dec. 15, 2013, the Archdiocese itself confirmed that Guam has only one seminary in the Umatuna on May 14, 2014. In the announcement of the annual gala to support the seminary, the Archdiocese consistently refers to only one seminary. There is no mention of "the seminaries"or any mention that funds might also go to the "other seminary".
Even so, the task of asking for monetary support in order to complete the requirements (however ambiguous) to become a diocesan priest outside of the NCW is a far cry from the implausible task of confronting one's superiors about documents which should already be published in the first place. Pressure from a diocesan seminarian at this point is futile -- especially when the formators know where it is coming from, namely, supporters of the CCG and this blog (myself included).
"Outside the NCW"? How is their formation "outside the NCW"? I will repeat Fr. Adrian's words: "In the Archdiocese of Agana the diocesan priesthood is no more. There is only the neocatechumenal way." And I will repeat Apuron's: "they think they are going to be diocesans."
Since you say that the "documents should already be published in first place", and since you are so quick to criticize my call to do something about it, are you then going to take the lead in seeing to it that these documents are made public? Or are you just here to criticize?
This isn't a two-option scenario for these men in formation; to either tacitly support a diocese in turmoil (which they themselves disagree with) or take suggestions from a group of lay faithful who actively and publicly disagree with the leadership. It's an impossible line to tow.
"Impossible"? Whatever happened to "nothing is impossible with God"? What about just doing the right thing no matter what the cost? On July 16, 2013, Fr. Paul Gofigan faced "an impossible line to tow". No one had ever stood up to Archbishop Apuron. But Fr. Paul did. Regardless of being stripped of his ability to say Mass, locked out of his parish, kicked out of his rectory, publicly humiliated and calumniated, and banished from the diocese, Fr. Paul stood up to the bully. And because he did, a revolution followed, a great purge of the evil mess that has been allowed to fester in this diseased diocese. Whether Rome does anything or not, the people have seen the evil for themselves and are rising up to rid themselves of it, with or without you.
As it's commonly said, the means don't justify the ends. So, yes, let's get these documents to prove the validity of the institute and further investigate into it's mission -- but let's not do so by asking an impossible task of these men who, quite frankly, are not in any position to accomplish it.
Okay, then you do it. Let us know when you get them.
And here's a BTW. Back in 2013 when Junee was being told he had no option but RMS, I, Tim Rohr, on this blog, was the ONLY person publicly fighting for him. Here are just three of the many times I defended him:
TO BE A PRIEST IN THE ARCHDIOCESE OF AGANA
WHY JUNEE MUST LIVE APART
Also, the first line of my original post on this matter reads: "I...know that you are making the best of a bad situation." But I go on to say: "We can't let them use you to use us."
So, yep. Go ahead. Be the hero. Let's see action. Get those documents so that we can support these guys with some semblance of confidence that they and us are not being lied to and used.
They are not trapped...they have a choice to remain as Tony's pawns (which he will sacrifice), or not.
ReplyDeleteTim you should make yourself a Timer. To see how long it takes for you to actually "DO SOMETHING".
ReplyDeleteLet's see now, 2 plus million views, hundreds of countries, a Roman investigation, exposition of Apuron's 40 million dollar heist, major damage to last years Annual Appeal and more damage this year, the erection of a whole seminary (after I outed RMS), oh, and so much more to come. You're scared shitless, aren't you. Because if nothing else, I have made you afraid to use your name.
DeleteHe has this blog. Much more than can be said of you and me. So, make yourself a timer to see how long it takes for you to actually "DO SOMETHING." I don't have to because I didn't call Tim to task. I won't call you coward because I am too. But I can call myself, "making-sense coward".
DeleteHOW ABOUT A TIMER TO SEE HOW IT TAKES FOR YOU TO SAY YOUR NAME. RMS COWARD LIKE I SAID RUN, HIDE, CHEAT, STEAL, LIE, RAPE, ETC. FIND ANOTHER WAY TO BE AN ASSHOLE. OOH AND SHOULDN'T YOU BE PACKING YOUR BAGS?
DeleteLOL THE NEOS TRYING POST THE SAME SAYING "AN ANONYMOUS USER" LOL THATS JUST YOU NEOS PUTTING ON A SHOW ON YOUR OWN BLOG.. CALLING YOUSELVES INNOCENT? LOL WE COME TO YOU WITH LIES? DIRTY TRICKS? GOSSIP?HEEEEARSAAAY?MIIIISQUOTES?AND EXAGGERATION? LOL PATHETIC LITTLE SORRY LITTLE PETAPHILE LOW LIFE EXCUSE FOR A CHRISTIAN.
DeleteI like this game, Anon telling anon to put their name. If you believe that your so right and what is claimed about the NCW, you put your name.
DeleteBut of course "I" didn't have to do anything but tell the truth. The "truth". Now there's a concept, isn't it.
DeleteThe 2nd collection at Santa Barbara's 7 p.m. Mass this past Sunday was really low. I take the basket around and in my section of the church, very few gave. I think maybe I only collected $20. The first collection did much better as the main basket was almost overflowing with the collection. It seems the word is out at Santa Barbara about not wanting our money to go to the chancery office. Also, the sales of the booklet on Blessed Diego San Vitores go to the chancery. For that reason I refuse to purchase a copy. I've made a monthly pledge to support Santa Barbara's power bill. Parishioners can choose how they want their pledge spent. This is a good way of shielding our money from the arch.
ReplyDeleteAs long as AAA is in charge, our diocese we will remain in turmoil. I hope the seminarians can complete their studies and become diocesan priests. Adrian's statement is extremely disturbing. There is a cancer in the chancery and the only cure is complete removal of the tumors!
Eileen Benavente-Blas
Eileen Benavente-Blas
The Chancery gets 10% of everything collected, first collection, second collection, candle sells, etc ...everything collected.
ReplyDeleteOur pledges at Santa Barbara are not part of the Sunday collections. We submit our checks to the parish office. I hope this protects our money from getting to the chancery. I'm not putting anything in the collection baskets anymore.
DeleteEileen Benavente-Blas
Anon Feb 24 at 12:41 PM, there are things you can do and have done already. Staying informed and aware of what is happening in our church is step one. The NCW is counting on many to be naive of what is happening and to follow like blind sheep. This is one of our problems in our parish, maybe even the whole diocese. Many are still unaware of what the NCW is, and more importantly, why some of the things they do are wrong. Yup, 2 million views and we still have people who are out in left field. Some in our parish think we can just talk to our archbishop and he'll listen. If he won't listen to his finance council, a cardinal, or the Pope, why would he listen to us? Why is he not afraid to malign or mistreat his priest? Because many remain clueless - oblivious to the cancer that is spreading. Herein lies step two - take action. We can no longer sit on the sidelines and watch a few fight the battle alone. It is up to us to take our parishes back. That means no more funds to the Catholic Appeal. It also means we need to stop enabling these NCW guys. I walked out during the testimonial. Others followed. I won't tolerate their garbage. I let my parish priest know that if we even think NCW, no more Sunday donations. Sad, but it will probably come down to that sometime soon. Thanks to Tim, though, we are looking into the 501c3 option. Our priest's hands may be tied, ours isn't.
ReplyDeleteIt's truly sad that our local seminarians are being subject to criticism because of the Annual Appeal, when it is really supposed to help them in the first place. Obviously, the Appeal has already rendered a bad name in our Archdiocese. Like you said, I'm sure they are aware of what's going on. Maybe they don't have much of a choice in choosing not to go out to the churches and beg for support. Perhaps, they are keeping silent and remaining obedient like most priests in Guam are, for the sake of their vocation and priesthood. As it was said before, they are trying to make the best of the situation to fulfill their vocations as priests one day, hopefully. And Tim, you are right. Being transparent about the Blessed Diego Institute and finances of the Archdiocese is nothing to fear, unless some wrong was committed.
ReplyDeleteTruth has a price. Fr. Richard Kidd paid it. And so did Aaron Quitugua. Regardless of the intentions of the seminarians, I simply will not let Apuron use them to use us. Everyone else can decide for themselves what they will do.
DeleteThis weekend I gave my Annual Appeal contribution and my usual weekly tithe DIRECTLY to my parish priest. My words, "Do as you wish." He took it, gave a slight smile, and said "Thank you and pray for us." Obviously, he knew where I coming from. He wasn't a NEO PRIEST.
ReplyDeleteAs a layperson, my direct contribution to the priest allowed me to feel a sense of stewardship again. In the last year I was weary of putting my money into the basket at the Cathedral when Monsignor James was removed. I moved to another parish and still felt uneasy because I knew that some of that money was eventually going to find its way to Archbishop Apuron and his cronies.
With all that's going on in the church it's not a nice feeling to have to second guess to where and for what purpose are our contributions going to be used. So I'm encouraging readers of this blog and those who are new to the whole church fiasco to not give up in supporting the needs of your parish and our entire church. For now, give in a different way.
Give your contribution directly to your "NON-NEO" priest or if you attend a "Neo" parish, pay the particularly need or expense directly. As with any donation or contribution in stewardship, be joyous and be abundant and God will reward. By following this simple suggestion and others that have been mentioned on this blog and by the Concerned Catholics, you will know immediately what I'm talking about and what I've experienced.
ReplyDeleteTim. Some associated with St. Patrick's seminary menlo park ca often joke Guam left unpaid billis in the seminary because Archbishop Apuron and Fr. Adrain did not wish to give money to this seminary. So your right. Why give to an appeal where Our local priests are not trained. Honestly,serious questions circulating regarding Archbishop Apuron, money and certain priests. Hope in time clouds lift.