Posted by Tim
Kudos to Archbishop Hon! It appears that in his quest for unity and reconciliation, Hon is REALLY, and I mean REALLY reaching out!
For years the archdiocese has been famously at odds with the several attempts to legally normalize same-sex unions. In fact, it could be said that the initial spat back in 2009-2010 between Apuron (it wasn't really him) and Vice-Speaker Cruz, who championed the legislation, is what led to the larger war which eventually brought Apuron's accusers to the fore and ultimately Hon to Guam.
But now we can all rejoice that the hatchet is buried and the local Church under Hon is embracing supporters of same-sex unions, symbolized by his very significant appointment of Sarah Thomas-Nededog to chair perhaps the archdiocese's most important committee: the new task force which will review the archdiocese's extremely problematic sex abuse policy.
In 2010, when Nededog was a candidate for the legislature and Vice-Speaker Cruz' same-sex union (domestic partnership) Bill No. 185 was a burning issue, Nededog said during a KUAM interview:
"If I was to be elected and Bill 185 was to come before us right now today, I would vote for it..."
In fact, because of Nededog's public stance in favor of same-sex unions, Apuron blacklisted her in the August 29 edition of the Umatuna (then called The Pacific Voice). The Marianas Variety reported;
In its Aug. 29 issue, “The Pacific Voice listed all the senatorial candidates who “support the legalization of same-sex unions.” The 13 candidates include...Sarah Thomas-Nededog..."
We can also rejoice that under Hon, our local Church appears to be also softening its stance against birth control. In addition to her other many duties and professional credits, Nededog was (or maybe still is) the Vice President of Westcare, an organization which includes "pregnancy prevention" amongst its list of services.
And while it hasn't been announced yet, there is reason to believe that Nededog will also play a significant role in the expected gubernatorial campaign of Guam's most famous abortion advocate, a person so dedicated to abortion that she publicly opposed legislation that would mandate normal medical care for infants who survive failed abortions.
Seriously, we in JungleNation offer our apology to Archbishop Hon. We see now that he truly is "reaching out" to bring "unity and reconciliation" across the board. It's "wonderful news."
We only have one concern however. In her interview with the KUAM, Nededog said:
"When the archbishop (Hon) spoke with us, I want you to know that we walked away from that interaction feeling very inspired and very supported in this work that we're going to do. There is a very strong recognition that the archbishop and the archdiocese want to make a very big push toward the protection of our children the most vulnerable people in our community."
The BIG PROBLEM with the current policy is that it does not hold the bishop accountable. One wonders, after this warm-fuzzy statement by Nededog, whether or not she will have the necessary objectivity, as the committee chair, to do what is necessary but may be something Hon does not like. If not, then we are no better off than before. Too bad Hon didn't pick Vince Pereda. After his testimony on Bill 326-33, there is no doubt about his ability!
Oh, yah. We just passed SIX MILLION views.
We only have one concern however. In her interview with the KUAM, Nededog said:
"When the archbishop (Hon) spoke with us, I want you to know that we walked away from that interaction feeling very inspired and very supported in this work that we're going to do. There is a very strong recognition that the archbishop and the archdiocese want to make a very big push toward the protection of our children the most vulnerable people in our community."
The BIG PROBLEM with the current policy is that it does not hold the bishop accountable. One wonders, after this warm-fuzzy statement by Nededog, whether or not she will have the necessary objectivity, as the committee chair, to do what is necessary but may be something Hon does not like. If not, then we are no better off than before. Too bad Hon didn't pick Vince Pereda. After his testimony on Bill 326-33, there is no doubt about his ability!
Oh, yah. We just passed SIX MILLION views.
SIX meeeeelion! Astounding. Mines planted all over. Continue prayers.
ReplyDeleteIn the headline you have omitted the closing quotation mark after “Reaching Out”.
ReplyDeleteI suppose I appreciate sarcasm as much as most, but for the sarcastically impaired, as an Act of Charity, you might consider placing quotation marks around “Wonderful News”.
You are correct, CNMI. Feeling a little uncharitable today though. :) Your comment should help :)
DeleteWhen I heard Nededog say those words, I just thought that the neos laid another egg and I wanted to barf!
ReplyDeleteShe might have talked about plans to find and help victims instead of PRing Archbishop Hon.
DeleteI’d like to think that because Abp Hon has not lived on island, and because he is here temporarily, he therefore selected specific sagacious-thinking clergy or specific sagacious-thinking laity to advise him in the selection of local laity who would ultimately sit in committees or advisory groups that will in turn, make decisions or advise our future bishop in matters and issues involving policy procedures that would be congruent with Catholic moral teachings and practices.
ReplyDeleteWho advised Hon as to who who would best chair this task force? One would think that Hon was advised to select the member who, at the least, not only is knowledgeable about, but who is also absolutely faithful to The Magisterium and our Faith’s teachings and practices on moral issues.
Based on the chairperson’s history and background, it doesn't look as though much thought and consideration was placed in questioning this chairperson’s position or faithfulness to our Magisterium’s and our Catholic Faith’s moral teachings and practices, which could impact how this chair could weigh decisions made by the rest of task force members.
Sarah well meaning but follows 'party line'. Planks on the platform! This task force should have nothing to do with politics.
ReplyDeleteMy guess is that the Apostolic Administrator chose Sarah Thomas-Nededog over Vince Pereda because Sarah does not participate in the picketing on Sunday mornings and Vince does.
ReplyDeleteThe picketer to protect the Church teachings vs the picker of which to project and reject of what the Church teaches . . . Interesting.
DeleteVince is much more qualified than Sarah and I believe he has more integrity. Sarah is a political animal who has shown that she compromised her Catholic faith for personal and political gain.
DeleteHon is still playing games by appointing Sarah. I think Vince should decline this appointment.
So with this fun little post my intent was not to address same-sex unions or Sarah Nededog, but to once again highlight the sheer recklessness of our church leadership.
ReplyDeleteBecause Hon refuses to speak with the people who can really help him (though at least now he is listening to Richard Untalan), he has relied for the most part on the people who are mostly part of the problem.
For the better part of two months, spoke only with clergy and religious. This is amazing since it was the action of the laity which was the occasion of Hon's assignment. The clergy and religious were for the most part paralyzed these last three years.
Hon continues to dig his hole deeper by the day. This is what happens when you do things for the sake of Peace instead of Truth, Unity instead of Justice. His priorities are backward and so goes the diocese. But why are his priorities backward? I submit that it's because he has two masters.
An example is his response to the sex abuse crisis. He picked a non controversial cleric (Stohr) to be his SARC. Stohr is a nice guy and may even be very capable of filling the job description, but Stohr is a deacon with an oath of obedience to the Archbishop. A lay person with no requirement for obedience should have been chosen, ESPECIALLY given that it was a lame SARC (Claros) in the first place that led to all this.
In case you forgot, it was Claros' infamous "for sure for sure" dismissing of John Toves that set Toves off and led to his making connections with fellow former altar boys with Agat.
Hon. There are THREE people who can REALLY help you. Bob Klitzkie, Richard Untalan, and Vince Pereda. Bob and Richard know how to get you out of your RMS mess and Pereda can get you out of your sex abuse mess. As for your other messes, call me.
Does this mean , the church's attitude towards same-sex union is relaxed or even accepted within the church as it is towards civil law?
Delete- Conservative Teenager
Teenager, ask the German bishops.
DeleteBased on the news that Hon has hired some California attorneys and is including Tony as their client, reminds me of the hand shake trick where you stick out your hand then pull it back. I thought the prestigious Jackie was representing Tony? Who is paying for this? Is Hon pulling out of his personal pocket? Hon reaching out and trying another chess move. Darn, and I quit playing the game a long time ago?
ReplyDeleteFr. Jeff also should have been aware of Sara Nededog's position on same sex marriage, This is one example where it may be prudent to consult lay people in the community about perspective candidates that are to be selected into these positions which require people who hold moral values as the church teaches. If Hon,Jeff,and Lito let this slide, it will come back to bite us in the ass. Is there any thought process that goes into how the chancery officials select people that can give sound moral advise? Like the saying goes, they must have the values before they can give it..
ReplyDeleteWhen I heard Sarah was on the committee I questioned her loyalty, which is not to the Church's teachings, but to the Demoncratic Party of Death. Now I hear she's the chairperson, puke! Hon you're a real judge of character and a typical politician, full of HOT AIR!
ReplyDeleteTim, you're on point as usual about the church "leadership". Hon doesn't know what he's doing. As for Sarah, she's all talk, no action. She loves the limelight. But seriously, don't expect anything substantial or productive coming from her.
ReplyDeleteYou are more than likely correct,
Delete