Monday, October 30, 2017

PDN: CCOG ALLEGES MISMANAGEMENT OF KAMALEN KARIDAT

Concerned Catholics allege mismanagement of church program to help the poor



Concerned Catholics of Guam has asked Archbishop Michael Byrnes to shut down the church's nonprofit Kamalen Karidat program, citing alleged mismanagement and a lack of accountability and proper documentation. A new organization should be created to fulfill Kamalen Karidat's mission of helping the poor, according to Concerned Catholics. CONTINUED


CCOG Letter to Archbishop Byrnes
CCOG Press Release

30 comments:

  1. It's not surprising that there was mismanagement at KK. I don't think there were any books to even document what was donated there. I know of a family who cooked food, brought it there and even served the food there but never once mentioned how KK accepted the donations. I know KK had good intentions for the less fortunate but not everyone donated good but rather donated money. There was no one who ever audited that place which placed a HUGE gateway for financial mismanagement. Something I'm sure the neocats saw. Anyways, nothing surprises me anymore about the corruption that's happened within the diocese.

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    1. Apuron constantly, yes constantly, asking for cars. As if a car was a bag of rice. He got them, too. Some of those guys drive with no license. Hey, who cares? Arch A Bishop will take care.

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    2. Father Julius, how's your Harley? Keeping up with the maintenance must be costing you peanuts. Lucky you!

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    3. Fr. Julius does not own any Harley Bike. You may have seen him driving one, which on occasion, a parishioner allows him to take a stroll on. He continues to use the one and only parish vehicle, a 2009 Corolla which was a replacement of a luxury Camry that the former pastor, prior to 2008 had purchased.
      Our diocese is on its way to reconciliation and healing, comments like yours that are not truthful and are only meant to serve as gossip and insult only delays further the hope of moving forward.
      Your criticism leads one to believe that you are or were a parishioner down south, because Fr. Julius does not go beyond the two parishes while riding the Harley.
      By now you should have an idea of who I am and I invite you to our next Finance/parish council meeting to see and hear about the true finances of our parishes.

      In the meantime here are a few facts:
      San Dimas Sunday Collection average - $600.
      Building Fund collection Average - $300.
      $900. X 4(weekends) = $3600.

      Mortgage Payment= $4000.
      Utilities = $1500.
      Others monthly costs= $1000.
      TOTAL EXPENSE: $6500. (based on conservative amounts)

      YOU DO THE MATH. HOW ARE WE MANAGING TO STAY AFLOAT? EVEN CONSIDERING THE RECENT RAISE IN ASSESSMENT FEES.
      GOD IS GOOD! THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTRIBUTIONS!

      Also, the recent purchase of the new AC units for the church and chapel cost the parish $00000. All of the units and the labor to install and the monthly maintenances are all donated and volunteered.
      The grotto for the Blessed Mother was donated by the Christian Mother Community with No parish expense.
      The open air pavilion for gathering and fellowship was renovated with a new roof, enclosed kitchen and all tiled at no expense to the parish.
      The awning for the restroom area and the new Archway at the entrance to church was all constructed with no expense to the Parish.
      Call the Parish Office for more info: 8288056

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    4. Happy Halloween, Lurch. It’s ur day!

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    5. Julius, get yourself a nice helmet.

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    6. Give me a break 12:05a.m. Julius has driven the Harley beyond the south and into the central part of the island. Who do you think you are fooling!

      I rightly don't give a horse's ass what your financial statement looks like. For your information, no, I am not and never was a parishioner down south.

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    7. Wouldn't it be a simple matter of getting the license plate number of the Harley and finding out from DMV who is the owner rather than waste time and space arguing in Jungle Watch?

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    8. You must have some hefty money bags there 12:05am. Are you permitted to talk about it more?

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    9. Anon @ 251pm

      If you don't give a horses ass about the finances why did you imply that the maintenance must cost peanuts? Where you referring to the maintenance of the Bike or the church? Either way, its a finance judgement.
      The owner of the Harley in question is Joseph & Mara Cruz, parishioners of San Dimas. If you have a problem with them allowing Fr. Julius to use the bike, give them a call.
      Get your facts straight before posting shit from the horses ass.

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    10. My apologies to 251pm

      My response was intended for Anon 12:17pm

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    11. A Luxury Camry? Nice.

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  2. This made me laugh and I don't really know how to stop laughing at this:

    AnonymousOctober 30, 2017 at 1:47 PM
    Diana, look at jacutan who was in Agana or even Waldo who was spokesperson for a diocese with no experience. To me, they were fresh off the boat. That's what I call one sided. Other priests had more experience then them but brother tony places these neos there. Go figure!


    DianaOctober 30, 2017 at 2:34 PM
    Dear Anonymous at 1:47 pm,

    How do expect them to get experience?The only way for them to get experience is to put them there. Father Edivaldo replaced Father Santiago at the parish, who was an RMS priest.

    So in Diana's mindset, let's just place a newly ordained priest into positions he's not ready to hold so he can teach himself? If that's the case why not allow them to be a bishop, like brother tony apurun who manipulated the system to his advantage!

    We all know how that's been now that the truth has been exposed and he's still running in hiding and only concerned about himself and not about the flock he abandoned.

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  3. I read the Guam Daily Post story on KK. Archbishop Byrnes was questioned n this matter, and his response was the Chancery does not have the resources to delve into the past. They are moving forward with a new board and transparency henceforth. That is not a very encouraging answer for the people that donated a lot of money in the past and are the same donors "moving forward". Archbishop Byrnes response is the equivalent of "Sweeping the dirt under the rug." When there is the smell of filth, you can bet your last dollar there is something rotten hidden somewhere. Kamalen Karidat seemed to be a "slush fund" organization for Tony Apuron and others who asked for donations for the poor, and then did something else with the money. Archbishop Byrnes, you have enough resources to check into the corruption of Kamalen Karidat and then file a complaint with the Guam Police Department to investigate fraud. All you need is one instance of intent to defraud the donors. You don't need to check into every detail. Expose the filth, and then you can move forward. Otherwise, there will always be this cloud over Kamalen Karidat and its operations. Do not make the mistake that people trust that all will be well moving forward. Do not insult the intelligence of the people who have contributed in the past, by basically telling them: "We don't know what happened to your money in the past, but if you can continue to contribute to Kamalen Karidat, we will be transparent moving forward now." Close down Kamalen Karidat and investigate as CCOG is recommending. There are a lot more concerned people in CCOG about the well-being of our Archdiocese and Church apparently than there are in your Chancery.

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    1. In the interest of transparency, first, I always comment using my name. Next, while not a direct employee at Kusinan Kamalen Karidat, I started out in 2006 as a volunteer at KOLG, a "mission" of Kamalen Karidat, and then became a paid employee from 2009-2014. I resigned when Msgnr James was removed from the Cathedral. I have since been asked to help rebuild the station and have returned as a volunteer to KOLG. Mind you that I also walked the picket line in front of the Cathedral from 2016-2017. Like I said, in the interest of disclosure.

      That being said, I find it silly to demand that Kamalen Karidat close down. Absolutley investigations need to be done and justice, if needed, has to be enacted. Should we, as well, dissolve the Archdiocese and close our churches in light of the current situation? Of course not. That would be a short sighted action and would serve nobody.

      Kamalen Karidat, a ministry, is not just a soup kitchen, and it certainly is not just the history of Apuron or Tenorio; as well our church is not just the history of those who have failed her in the past.

      --"There are a lot more concerned people in CCOG about the well-being of our Archdiocese and Church apparently than there are in your Chancery."

      All due respect, then put some credibility to this baseless accusation. I may disagree with David Sablan, but at least he signed his protest.

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    2. Thank you Jose.

      -breakfast at Tiffany's

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    3. Thank you for this excellent synopsis of the situation with Kamalen Karidat. However you left out this solution: The new board can sit down with Dept. of Rev. and Tax to "work things out". Wouldn't it be easier to put on blinders and look straight ahead? Isn't the past in the past?

      If you are correct the decisions made by the new board are invalid since there was no proper procedure followed. Would the old board agree to do what is necessary to properly impanel the new board? Maybe. Would the new board be able to access the funds in the bank account? Maybe. Would the new board hold accountable anyone and everyone who misused donations? I hope so.

      In the last few years we have worked hard to clean up the archdiocese and put a spotlight on those who abused their authority. Let's not fall back into old habits and coast along doing things the easy way. Let's try something new: Let's do the right thing because it is THE RIGHT THING TO DO. Yes, it is more difficult. Yes, it takes more effort. Yes, it is inconvenient. Do we really want the alternative?

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    4. All due respect, CCOG was a much needed organization that I proudly placed my name to my actions in it's activities in cleaning up our archdiocese but I don't agree with this latest ambition in shuttering Kamalen Karidat. I agree with calling for auditing the past activities of Kamalen Karidat and I absolutely see the need to mitigate the record keeping, but to rid the island of Kamalen Karidat is simply short sighted and void of any Christian charity.

      Why this aggressive campaign to dissolve Kamalen Karidat? Might as well dissolve the Archdiocese and start all over with a new Church, yes? Would you propose the same? I think I can confidently say you wouldn't.

      As well, Fr. Mike has been more than willing to work with being as transparent as can be. Where the previous administration of the Archdiocese was defensive and elusive, you have not experienced this at all from the current Kamalen Karidat admin., have you? Then, what is it that you are attempting to satiate? Whose goals and end game are you really serving? What are you trying to save "us" from?

      Andrew Camacho, you are saying we should do the right thing. The right thing is being done. It has been difficult and the clean up is not over. I challenge you all who are sitting and speaking from the balcony to come down into the trenches and help clean up and do the "inconvenient" work as well. You may see that the blinders are not affixed to anyone involved with Kamalen Karidat.



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    5. Jose, I appreciate your comments and your commitment. To clarify a few points:

      CCOG wants the mission of caring for the poor and hungry to continue.

      CCOG wants the previous administration and activities of Kamalen Karidat examined.

      CCOG wants the archdiocese to do the right thing in the right way for the right reasons.

      I believe we can agree on these points as a basis for mutual understanding.


      There are complex issues regarding the formation of a new board of directors, the access and use of funds raised by the previous administration, and the potential liability assumed by the new administration which was created by the old administration. Can Fr. Mike and Archbishop Byrnes assure us that "all the I's are dotted and all the T's are crossed"? At this point I believe the answer is no. They need to go to their legal counsel to raise these and other questions and make sure they are on solid ground. We cannot assume anything. We cannot rely on the old methods of "working things out" with government officials.

      Is CCOG being hyper-vigilant? In some ways - YES! We had to fight so hard just to get the truth out for the world to see and we continue our work no matter who is in charge. Please know that we bear no ill will toward Fr. Mike, Archbishop Byrnes, the new board of directors of Kamalen Karidat, or anyone we are trying to help. Criticism is not persecution. If we see something wrong we will call it out. Remaining silent is a big part of the reason we are in the current mess. Therefore we are Silent No More!

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    6. Part I

      Jose, I appreciate your comments and your commitment. Thank you Andrew and likewise. To clarify a few points:

      CCOG wants the mission of caring for the poor and hungry to continue.
      CCOG wants the previous administration and activities of Kamalen Karidat examined.
      CCOG wants the archdiocese to do the right thing in the right way for the right reasons.
      I believe we can agree on these points as a basis for mutual understanding.


      I believe that both of us have been relaying this same exact message. However, for you, you won’t define what the “right thing for the right reason” means. It’s an ambiguous statement. For me, the right thing does not include ceasing the operations of Kamalen Karidat.

      There are complex issues regarding the formation of a new board of directors, the access and use of funds raised by the previous administration, and the potential liability assumed by the new administration which was created by the old administration. I and other CCOG members have complete confidence in the new administration. They are more than capable of tackling complex issues. With several CCOG members on the Board and involved with Kamalen Karidat, why the distrust?

      Can Fr. Mike and Archbishop Byrnes assure us that "all the I's are dotted and all the T's are crossed"? At this point I believe the answer is no. I wouldn’t have thought you would say any different. You have to in order to continue with your narrative. However, your lack of patience and trust is what speaks louder than your protest. Both Archbishop Byrnes and Fr. Mike are very capable and honest men. They also will not jeopardize the needs of the poor for their own benefit. In fact, and you know very well, that Fr. Mike has been more than willing to work with CCOG and be as transparent as can be. This latest public action by CCOG fails to reflect this. They need to go to their legal counsel to raise these and other questions and make sure they are on solid ground. We cannot assume anything. Like assuming that they are not? We cannot rely on the old methods of "working things out" with government officials. Care to be more specific? Are you insinuating that Archbishop Byrnes and Fr Mike, as well as the new board, are not being forthright and ethical with government officials? I am really interested in this answer.

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    7. Part II

      Is CCOG being hyper-vigilant? In some ways - YES! We had to fight so hard just to get the truth out for the world to see and we continue our work no matter who is in charge. Please know that we bear no ill will toward Fr. Mike, Archbishop Byrnes, the new board of directors of Kamalen Karidat, or anyone we are trying to help. Criticism is not persecution. If we see something wrong we will call it out. Remaining silent is a big part of the reason we are in the current mess. Therefore we are Silent No More!

      Again, nobody, I repeat, NOBODY is deflecting the issue that past discrepancies need to be mitigated. I think this is clear.

      CCOG was a must needed organization for a timely issue of stopping Apuron and the corruption of the NCW leadership on Guam and off island. I am proud of our work that we did through CCOG to expose the injustices, expose the corruption and expose the mismanagement of Apuron’s administration. To equate our previous movement in going after Kamalen Karidat at this time, to me, sounds like CCOG is “tilting at windmills.” The old admin is gone. Quit propping them up as if they still run the operations at Kamalen Karidat.

      I am not the only CCOG member who is helping to rebuild. You all know that. There are very good reputable men and women who walked the picket lines on Sunday to reclaim our Church that are now walking and working in the ministries we fought to reclaim and protect.

      Instead of calling to dismantle and close down Kamalen Karidat, a very important ministry in our Archdiocese, I implore you all to come back to what it really means to be Concerned Catholics – doing the works of mercy and evangelizing as Christ has called us to do. I wouldn’t be affiliated with Kamalen Karidat otherwise.

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  4. I don't see why the Kusinan Karidat needs to shut down. Who suffers ? Is it CCOG who suffers? This organization is here to feed and clothe the poor and the homeless.

    What is important here, the well being of those being helped or the books? I don't see why Pale' Mike can't start a new accounting book under his watch? Investigate whatever needs to be investigated under the Tenorio regime, but don't let the homeless suffer unless CCOG has something against them too.

    How can someone put the value of life over money? I'm beginning to see a parallel on the value of life with the legislature and giving GMH the funds to update their equipment. There is no amount of money that can be placed over that of any human life.

    I'm really disappointed with CCOG.

    -breakfast at Tiffany's

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    1. KK as a corporate entity can be shut down and investigated without any interruption of services.

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    2. The Kamalen/Kusinan Karidad (K/KK) should be shut down, but a new corporate entity should be simultaneously set up, providing the services K/KK was providing without interruption and without the stigma of mismanagement, corruption, etc. associated with the K/KK.

      Keeping the K/KK name and present management/directors/officers will discourage contributions especially when the news spreads that apuron/dakun tenorio were using the contributed funds as they pleased.

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    3. Plus, Dakon Tenorio is still a MEMBER and an original incorporator of Kamalen Karidat as is Apurun!!! CCOG did suggest to Archbishop Byrnes to establish a true charitable organization that is sole to take care of the poor and their needs. Not the way Kamalen Karidat was set up, which is not only to help the poor. They can do other business like lease out buildings. So, with all this money coming in, no one has ever reported to the donors and supporters of Kamalen Karidat how the money was actually spent? Did Apurun, Tenorio, and others use the funds for their own personal "trips"; first class airline tickets; buying cars; etc. We need to know, so we can close the chapter on this scandal, and move forward with a new entity operating under the Archdiocese of Agana.

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    4. After closing down the Kamalen Karidad and the Kusinan Karidad, and opening a new one with a new name, new management, etc., it still is important to investigate as best as possible what happened to the hard-earned contributions made to the Karidad
      businesses so that the confidence of donors (individuals and corporate) can be restored. This also will help with Archbishop Byrnes' goal of restoring confidence in the Church.

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    5. You are missing the point, Anonymous October 31 at 12:26 PM. The above response is the point. The good works can continue under a new entity with a new board and management. What's so difficult about understanding that? Kamalen Karidat never cared to report how much they received in contributions and how they used their expenses. The poor and needy are not concerned about whether its Kamalen Karidat feeding and clothing them. Salvation Army does the same thing regularly. Catholic Social Services also. So, they are not exclusive to this charitable effort. But those going against what CCOG is trying to bring to the attention of the public and Archbishop Byrnes seem to put this Kamalen Karidat on a pedestal with Dakun Frank Tenorio as the new St. Francis helping the poor. He is a fake, sorry to say. Many do not know him, if they believe him to be an angel. He ain't.

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    6. I heard Fr. Mike the other day on KUAM radio mentioning that there will be a fund-raising drive for Kamalen Karidad. I sure as hell wil not contribute cash but if we contribute by check, who are the signatories for the checking account? One of the posts above mention that Dakun Tenorio is still involved with Kamalen. If so, they can kiss my planned donation good-bye.

      Fr. Mike, clarification on the make up of the new and improved Kamalen Karidad or Kusinan Karidad, please.

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  5. Tenorios no longer have signatories on any account for Kamalen karidat inc...only 2 authorized signatures...archbishop byrnes and mine...

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    1. Thank you for your quick response, Pale'Mike. Can you also tell us who else make up the officers, board of directors, and supervisors of the new Kamalen Karidad and Kusinan Karidad? Letting us know who we will be dealing with will go a long way in getting our trust back.
      Thank you again, Pale'Mike.

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