It is obvious to all that Archbishop Apuron believes that Guam Catholics will continue to be obedient boys and girls and just turn their money over to him without any care for financial transparency or accountability to the faithful.
We probably wouldn't care that much if he hadn't shown us just how vicious he can be about financial accountability as demonstrated by his continued public stripping and raking of Msgr. James.
We probably wouldn't care that much if he hadn't simply outright lied to us for 15 years about who RMS was really for.
We probably wouldn't care that much if hadn't hid the 40 plus million dollar gift he gave to his Kiko-cronies at our expense.
We probably wouldn't care that much if he hadn't threatened Father Paul with an "arduous and painful closure" to his assignment and then locked him out of his home.
We probably wouldn't care that much if he hadn't falsely and wickedly insinuated that Fr. Paul was carrying on drunken homosexual trysts in an upstairs room of the rectory and further insinuated that he had abused church funds to build a secret stairway to reach it.
We probably wouldn't care that much if he hadn't outright LIED to Aaron Quitugua about why he couldn't be sent to a real seminary.
We probably wouldn't care that much if hadn't lied to the Yona parishioners about the permission for the NCW communion rite being "somewhere."
We probably wouldn't have cared that much if he had just told John Toves that he was wrong instead of hiding behind his lawyers and threatening to sue for defamation on behalf of the church!
We probably wouldn't have cared that much if he hadn't kicked priests out of our diocese for refusing to participate in the illicit eucharists of the NCW.
We probably wouldn't care that much if he hadn't denied priests health insurance because the archdiocese supposedly can't afford it while he takes care of his kiko-cronies at his half a million dollar private pad and jets about the globe with his presbyters pets.
We probably wouldn't care that much if he would just show some proof that RMS and Blessed Diego Institute are accredited as he claims.
We probably wouldn't care that much if he wouldn't mock and stiff arm every legitimate inquiry from the laity.
We probably wouldn't care that much if he hadn't violated our families and our moral sensibilities by subjecting us to his neo-sponsored pornography in the middle of what we thought was going to be a Holy Mass.
But because he lies, ignores, mocks, stiff-arms, threatens, abuses, and violates our persons, our lives, our moral sensibilities, and even our sacred worship. And because he seems to understand NOTHING else. Then I am hereby calling on every Catholic to NOT give a single cent to his "Appeal" until he answers the questions submitted to him by the CCOG and answers them HONESTLY. (Though fat chance of that.)
PDF copy w Pg 2, giving deadline of Mon. 2/16 to answer
Related story on CCOG website
Thank you to Concerned Catholics of Guam for these clear and very reasonable questions. When any non-profit or religious organization asks for donations, the public has right to know how the money will be utilized. I hope the Archbishop responds to these questions.
ReplyDeleteAnother brilliant move.
ReplyDeleteHe has been able to ignore reasonable requests from him before like the former Finance Council request that he talks with Msgr James and presents him the crimes he is alleged to have committed so he can defend himself. What was his answer to that request? Didn't talk with Msgr James and came up with that low-blow-of-an-insert in the U Matuna. If he thinks he can ignore these requests (quitclaim and reason for the AAA), then he is completely wrong.
ReplyDeleteThe Archbishop told the people at the Dededo pastoral visit that he does not know what he is doing wrong and why he is being attacked. In the same visit he stated that he will NOT be sending local men to any seminaries off island because Guam has two seminaries and neither one is run by the neos. He said Pope Francis gave him permission to build the JPII seminary. Of course these seminaries are "affiliated with the Lateran University in Rome".
ReplyDeleteIt would be nice to see his written responses to the request from CCOG, but we all know there will be none.
Apuron is a liar. The RMS articles of incorporation specifically state that the men there are to be formed in the "life and practice of the neocatechumenal way." The JP2 seminary was only started after I exposed Apuron's lie about RMS being a diocesan seminary. If they are affiliated with the Lateran then show proof of that affiliation. You know they don't have it because if they did they would have already published it in the U Matuna.
Delete"You can fool all the people some of the time, and some of the people all the time, but you cannot fool all the people all the time." - honest Abraham Lincoln
DeleteThe"pastoral visit" is a joke. Not even a full 24 hrs. Is this the new modern version of a pastoral visit? Last I heard pastoral visits should last several days. I also heard that in some parishes, parishioners were told not to rock the boat. How sad that we cannot even express our concerns. Enough with the gestapo tactics already, you aren't fooling anyone except yourself.
DeleteSounds like Apuron is more concerned about people's perception of him and not the parish he is visiting. Unless of course he was answering a question from one of the parishioners. But for some reason I highly doubt that because what would the question be where he would say, " I don't know what I am doing wrong?" What he is doing wrong is focusing on himself and not the purpose of a pastoral visit. A true shepherd doesn't focus on himself but on the flock that he is tending. As for not sending a seminarian off-island, sounds like he is stating that he will not even consider it, so he wants people to stop pestering him on the subject.
DeleteRegarding seminary formation. Do the seminarians get a bachelor's degree in a certain field from RMS, like psychology, sociology or even theology? I was just wondering because I know that before seminarians graduated from college and then go further in theology or divinity to prepare them for ordination. How about the seminarian serving in a parish, especially for Mass? Maybe the priest formation process has changed? Are the new priests still considered highly educated? Are they qualified to be educators as they have been in the past? I don't hear or read anything about their education upon ordination, only that they are from RMS.
All the RMS websites are very vague, but found that the RMS Galilaeae grants a Bachelor of Theology. It does not seem they attend the seminary as many years as a US seminary requires. Seems most go from high school to seminary.
DeleteIn 1989 RMS graduates were secular priests but not diocesan [they were not priests who belong to a religious order, thereby being designated as secular, but they were not diocesan because they had not been trained in a diocesan seminary], according to Rev. Gordon Read. Are they being trained as diocesan priests now and how well trained? They are being incardinated now.
What if Apuron answers the questions the way WE would want it answered? For example, what if he would answer question #1 by saying yes, the AAA is for the purpose of supporting young men from Guam and the Northern Marianas who are studying for the priesthood. So, getting that answer from him, we feel better and contribute to the AAA.
ReplyDeleteRemember now , we are dealing with a known liar! What makes us so sure he will not lie again this time? The CCOG is composed of honorable men and women, but they are not
dealing with an honorable man.
"Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me!" Let us not be fooled again.
I agree with Tim. Let us NOT contribute anything at all, unless Apuron and anything and anyone associated with him are G-O-N-E!!
Tim, Put AAA on a clock as to when he will respond to the letter from CCOG at least during the duration of the AAA drive. Is it my understanding that he has not yet respond to any of the other correspondences sent to him??? Please Clock him.
ReplyDeleteYou're wasting your time "putting him on a clock." If he didn't respond to previous questions asked of him, what makes you think he'll respond to CCOG's questions. Apuron has the attitude that he is not answerable to anyone and, therefore, does not feel obliged to answer any questions, especially questions that require him to be accountable for his actions. He will continue to go on as if nothing is happening and say that the good Lord will protect him and provide for him as he would like. When are all of you going to realize that Apuron is a narcissist which is a personality quality in which he holds himself to be of high importance.
DeleteHis narcissism is rooted in his own perceived ability to raise funds for the Archdiocese. We can help him to realize his personality fault by not contributing to any collections -- which is in effect a vote of "no confidence" in his continued leadership. By all means, seek alternative means to support your local parish with in kind donations or non- monetary support.
DeleteI strongly applaud Concern Catholics of Guam (CCOG) for submitting questions regarding the Annual Archdiocesan Appeal (AAA) which occurs during the Lenten Season. These are very important questions that finally demand financial accountability of the thousands of dollars that are collected every year. For most unquestioning and trusting Catholics, it was thought and believed that the charitable donations were going primarily to fund and support the formation and education of local seminarians from Guam and the Northern Marianas to become priests, diocesan priests to serve the Archdiocese of Agana. Prior to the opening of the Redemptoris Mater Seminary (RMS) in Yona, local young men were sent to off-island seminaries in the U.S. mainland for their studies and then return to Guam to be ordained. It is very evident that the quality of their seminary education have made excellent priests of the many that have since been ordained and serve Guam. For many years, the faithful Catholics of Guam have never questioned how the funds of this major annual fundraising event are used. The Catholic faithful have fully trusted the Archbishop’s management and unquestionable integrity in ensuring that the sizable charitable donations were going for the right and appropriate purpose. However, with all the problems that have emerged and been exposed over the past couple of years, a lot of doubt and suspicion have arisen, so much so that many who have previously freely and generously given to the AAA are no willing to do so. An all out appeal is being made by active and involved Catholics questioning the Archbishop’s integrity and honesty not to donate to the AAA this year. An ongoing appeal has already been made for Catholics opposing the Archbishop not to donate to the regular Sunday offerings. If a significant number of faithful Catholics heed the call and don’t donate to the AAA, the only source funding will primarily come from Neo supporters which number in the minority compared to non-neo Catholics.
ReplyDeleteIn addressing the questions presented to the Archbishop regarding the annual AAA, I offer my following analysis:
With regard to question 1, is the Archdiocesan Annual Appeal (AAA) the same as the former Catholic Charities Appeal (CCA) in purpose as far as supporting young men from Guam and the Northern Marianas studying for the priesthood? Since Catholic Charities Appeal is already a bonafide charitable organizations that is funded nationwide in the U.S., it no longer suits the purpose of the Archdiocese of Agana to follow suit since it’s primary objective is to support and fund the formation and education of seminarians to become priests. A different name for this major annual fundraiser had to be used, thus the Archdiocesan Annual Appeal. With regard to it being a “local appeal,” one has to wonder because few if any local seminarians from Guam and the CNI are currently undergoing formation and education at the RMS to become priests. Clearly, the vast majority of the seminarians at the RMS are non-local men from foreign countries who are undergoing seminary studies to become so called “missionary priests” and supposedly available to serve the Archdiocese of Agana. It has further been discovered and publicly reported that seminarians at RMS are being educated and theologically formed and oriented in the Neocatechumenal Way and not as regular diocesan priests. This being the case, local males not wishing to be priests formed in the Neocatechumenal Way, do not have the choice or option not to be Neo priests. Therefore, should a local man desire to become a priest and wish to be educated off-island, that opportunity apparently has been eliminated. This has created such a stir that the Archbishop opened a second seminary to accommodate non-neo seminarians, about four of them, which we all know is nothing more than a separate boarding house.
(To be continued)
(Continued)
ReplyDeleteQuestion number 2 asks whether or not the Catholic faithful on Guam through the funding of the AAA are paying for the education and living expenses of foreign seminarians on Guam or other Redemptoris Mater Seminaries outside of Guam and if so, why. Can this be justified? It begs the question, why should the people of Guam pay for the education and full living expenses of foreign seminarians. Is this done anywhere else in the world? Can a local Chamorro man seek acceptance into an off-island seminary, U.S. or elsewhere, and have all of his expenses paid by the receiving seminary? I think not and, therefore, one has to ask if this is being done with the foreign seminarians at the RMS in Yona.
Question number 3 asks will the AAA funds be used to support young men from Guam and the Northern Marianas who wish to study for the priesthood in seminaries in the Mainland USA, the Philippines, or Oceania and then return to Guam to be part of our local clergy? The answer to this question based on how this was addressed with Aaron Quitugua, a prospective seminarian desiring to attend an off-island seminary, is “No.” It has been reported that if an eligible young man from Guam has the desire and proper discernment to become a priest on Guam, he has no choice but to attend the Guam RMS seminary in Yona.
In addition to providing financial support to educate seminarians to become priests, the AAA also provides for other needs of the Archdiocese which have never been expounded. Question number 4, therefore, directly asks, “what other purposes are AAA contributions being used for?” There are probably numerous needs of the Archdiocese in the different and separate ministries that are in need of funding but because there just isn’t enough money to go around, many of these needs go unmet. The AAA does not benefit any individual parish but rather goes totally to the Chancery for use anyway the leadership and management of the Archdiocese sees fit. This is why a full accounting of money coming from the Catholic faithful through donations and major fundraisers need to be made public.
With regard to question number 5, based on previous years, the financial goal of the AAA has always been overly inflated and never realistic. This year of course will not be any different and in fact, I would be very surprised if they reach or match last year’s total amount collected. This would be very telling in terms of actually seeing and witnessing how much support the leadership of Archdiocese of Agana actually receives from the totality of the Catholic Faithful of Guam.
With regard to question number 6, the answer is “perhaps partially but not a full report.” The Archdiocese has never issued a full report of all contributions received nor has it reported a breakdown of expenditures from the AAA. Will this year be any different from previous years, I venture to say it will not. The Archbishop has never been truly transparent about anything and so why would he be expected to be any different this time around. While I commend the CCOG in making an attempt to request that he respond to their questions, I think it’ll never happen. Apuron is too proud of a man to think that he should be answerable to anyone, let alone a group of concerned and faithful Catholics who he perceives as plotting against him, as being his enemy.
Trust that the men who head CCOG didn't ask these questions to be simply ignored. I am sure they have plans to get answers to their question. If AAA (is it a coincidence that it is also the acronym of the Archdiocesan Annual Appeal. I don't think so.) thinks that by refusing to respond to these reasonable requests, it will go away. I know in my heart, CCOG will not let that happen. Ignore he will, but the inevitable will happen, whether AAA likes it or not.
DeleteWe need to put this information out in billboards or those huge electronic billboard signs to let the whole island know and something to read and ponder while waiting in traffic or red light
ReplyDeleteContrary to how we do things here, in the PI, families foot the bill for a young man to attend seminary. It is a testament to the faith of the Philippine people. Here these seminarians want to be pampered, having their pizza parties and such at the expense of the parishioners. Why can't the RMS be turned into a diocesan seminary, that houses neos instead of the joke that it is now. Remember, it is not a diocesan seminary, so we are not oblidged to support it or its seminarians.
ReplyDeleteOur elders and those who are in need of spiritual help are vulnerable to fall into the trap of believing AAA. We need to talk to them and explain what's happening with our traditional Catholics. But be aware because it won't be easy to convince them. They spent most of their lives practicing their traditions. AAA and these NEO leaders know this and will continue to take advantage of our elder's strong faith. AAA is like God to them. It will be though to convince them otherwise even if you are their family.
ReplyDeleteTo anon @ 8:12 - ALL the manamkos I know are livid with aaa's actions, especially towards the local and filipino priests who have been here long time. They are very hurt that aaa would do that to our own, and to see him with others not even from guam whike he trashes the locals hurts them even more. They are not stupid, they know what's going on. Even the manamkos close to aaa, David and adrian are hurt. I know, because people talk. EVERYONE is talking about the three on the hill, everyone everywhere. And it's not good talk. They have caused so much pain to the island and all who call guam home. All except the 600 Neos that I hear continue to dwindle.
ReplyDeleteBiba Katoliku! BĂĄba Neo!
Was talking with some folks from Barrigada and when the conversation shifted to attending mass they immediately voiced their disgust on how the Neos took over the church in Barrigada. They thought that Adrian would make things right but to their dismay they learned that Adrian was in cahoots with the archbishop. The Neos now dictate what can take place in church. They told the parishioners that funerals can't be held on Saturdays. The Neos celebrate their illicit version of the mass in the evening. Many Barrigada parishioners now attend mass elsewhere where the priest (s) are not neo.
DeleteNow I see why JW has many viewers from Barrigada.
i would love to put that on a t-shirt or sign: "Biba Katoliku! BĂĄba Neo!" Accurately reflects a lot of people's sentiments right now.
Delete
DeleteArchdiocese is beyond repair .it will only get worse until Rome acts.
Anon 12:27, I agree with you. Our elders are bothered, hurt, and distraught at AAA. However, if we allow AAA to continue his visit into our homes, our elders will forget able the situation and continue to donate to his cause. Our culture teaches us to forgive especially to a religious leader. Regardless of what AAA does, our elders will continue to kiss his so called "Ring".
ReplyDeleteI stopped putting money in those CCA envelopes years ago when I found out where the money was really going. It put a bad taste in my mouth, especially because I felt l was being conned those prior years that I had joyfully given. I thought many others were aware of it too but apparently not.
ReplyDeleteIf I didnt ask and hear it directly from a priest's mouth, I would still be stuffing those envelopes with thousands of dollars!
I think every parish priest has the responsibility and duty to tell their parishioners exactly where that money is going to so that people can decide to give or not, and not just read from a statement at the Altar that the chancery has issued. I encourage everyone to ask their parish priest about this assessment for their parish that the Appeal is (how ironic is this?) requiring each parish to raise and give.
Many can justify giving by saying that what they donate is no different from giving to the Sisters of Mercy, the Carmelites or the Nortre Dame nuns or giving to a school fund drive when that school is in danger of closing down. I thought that too. But there was and still is a big difference.
I didnt't and still don't see the Archbishop launch an appeal for charity when years ago many schools were in danger of closing. Not one finger was lifted or a dollar raised by him on the hill yet he calls, trumpets and asseses all of us via our parish to give to this seminary that produces only Neo formed priests guised as diocesan?
Instead I've given my money to other local Catholic charites and local organizations directly that I feel deserve and could use the money to help in carrying out their mission to help those in need as well as to remain viable and relevant. RMS is no longer on my list.
I echo the sentiments mentioned at Anon 2:39. As a parishioner of OLO Mt Carmel in Agat, Fr. Jose ALBERTO Rodriguez replaced Fr. JASON Granado last February. (Fr. ALBERTO came from BARRIGADA). On his first Mass, Fr. ALBERTO signed a contract btwn the Archdiocese and the parishioners of OLO Mt. Carmel to work together for good of our people. However, since then, he has made NUMEROUS changes ON HIS OWN concerning the church (note Parish council has been disbanded, seems he has NO need for them, and relies on his NEO community). My family has given thousands of $$$ each year to OLO Mt Carmel & Santa Ana chapel. My family is closely looking at going to a traditional non-NEO parish church to attend. ai saina ayuda ham todu. (GOD HELP US ALL!!)
ReplyDeleteWithout a parish council, will pryesbter Alberto also follow his previous action and sign over any high value parish properties to the Archbishop? I've heard about properties specifically willed to Mt. Carmel parish by now deceased parishioners. Is there anyone with knowledge about this practice occuring at his previous parish assignment? or with other presbyters?
DeleteAlberto has breached the contract therefore the parishioners can make demands to regain control of the parish. Alberto is messing with the wrong village!
Delete
ReplyDeleteWow this diocese of Guam so screwed up. What kind of bishop is this?
No more lies Apuron! You owe us all answers.
ReplyDeleteThis is all rather shocking!
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteStop the money to the CCA . supporting the appeal supports AA. STOP SUPPORTING
ReplyDeleteWake up Guam Tony fooling you over money.