OF POPE FRANCIS, NOTRE DAME OF PARIS AND THE FRENCH GOVERNMENT

 posted by Frenchie,

On December 15th 2024 at 10;35 Anonymous commented, in an exchange with Tim regarding the Neos: " I was disappointed to read that Pope Francis declined to attend the re-opening of the Notre Dame Cathedral, that iconic monument of French Catholicism in Paris. I do hope there was a representative from the Vatican present at the re-opening which I hope will contribute to the revitalization of the Church in France ( and indeed in all of Europe)".

This is a comment fairly representative of many Catholic's concerns, which reflect both a lack of knowledge about the present and past situation of the Catholic Church in France, as well as the reason for Pope Francis not attending that ceremony.

I have never been an apologist for Pope Francis, and his many declarations which are often contradicting and confusing. In fact I have often criticized his modernist approach which betrays his close ties to the Peronist movement in Argentina (which was responsible for the deliquescence of the country), and the Jesuit movement of Social Justice in South America. A movement totally not understood in the USA, but central to Francis world view. It is often seen as a precursor to the woke movement, in many regards it is socially more radical. Should you be interested you just need to consult the webpage of the Jesuits, to quickly comprehend their goals and motivations. Nothing has changed in their approach since they were expelled from several countries and severely reprimanded, by no less than 5 popes. They only bided their time, kept a low profile before being rehabilitated, yet fundamentally their core beliefs never changed.

That having been established, Francis had several good reasons not to be used as a prop by Macron (the french president). Further despite all his confusing stands on so many issues, Pope Francis has been very consistent about his views of the Masons and their relentless efforts to destroy the Catholic Universal Church. Bergoglio has always seen the Masons and their allies as an existential danger to the Church. He has made numerous clear warning about the danger that Masons represent, and he has encouraged the Bishops to take steps to counter their influence and denounce their nefarious agenda.

On  December 9th 1905, the french government of the III Republic signed a earth chattering Law regarding the separation of Church and State. The law titled: "Loi du 9 decembre 1905, concernant la separation des Eglises et de l'Etat" applied to all christian churches. It confiscated all Church properties, and gave the buildings to the municipalities. Regulated what could or could not be said inside, as well as what could be displayed in and out of the said buildings. It changed the status of priests as employees of the State, and listed penalties both civil and penal for infringing said law.  Therefore the Notre Dame of Paris Building is the property of the municipality of Paris. While the Cathedral is use for the worship of the Catholic faithful, under the care of the Archbishop of Paris, there is no guarantee that the state could not transform it into a Museum, a Mosque or a Protestant Temple. Actually the Mayor of Paris, Mrs Hidalgo, along her city council of Greens, Communists and GLBTists floated the idea to turn the Cathedral into a museum for several months after the fire. More recently a conservative member of the council, who is a muslim suggested charging an entrance fee to enter the Cathedral.

The 1905 law was the brainchild of two french politicians: Emile Combes 1835-1921 a radical socialist, and a free mason of the grand orient since 1869. Aristide Briand 1862-1932, socialist, cofounder of the Humanite (the communist party daily) Free Mason of the trait d'union orient de St Nazaire 1887, and finally of the Knights of the workers 1895. Aristide Briand was the President of the council of Ministers 6 times, a Nobel Prize Winner, and one of the main advocate for the league of Nation, and a commercial Europe. Basically a globalist before we knew what it meant.(A Masonic goal of world government led by an enlighten elite) It is in this context that Pope Francis has always refused to visit Paris. He previously visited Strasbourg for the  Youth movement week, and Marseille, which he titled the oldest city of the western Mediterranean. 

Meanwhile Macron, the President of the French Republic, also a Mason, who is being challenged at home consistently, and whose personal life is far from being stellar, is in dire need to look as presidential as possible. His policies have ruined the country, and he has tried without shame to appear as an international star. (which he has failed completely) . His plan for the re-opening of the Cathedral was so radical and in poor taste, that even the spineless Council of French Bishops opposed it. The plan was something along the lines of the opening of the Paris Olympics. A compromise was finally reached with a two part re-opening. One where the world leaders would be welcomed in a semi religious ceremony, the other the next day which would re-consecrate the Cathedral as a place of worship. This of course was not acceptable to the Pope. 

To answer Anonymous question of a Vatican official attending the ceremonies. The answer is yes, of course. The official being the Nuncio for France.

Meanwhile, the Pope chose to accept the invitation to visit Corsica by the Cardinal Bishop of Ajaccio, a Franciscan, and currently the youngest Cardinal of the Conclave. There was a moment of uncertainty because the authorization for a visit had to be accepted by the President of the French Republic. Of course Macron being Macron, made the Pope wait till the last minute, to give his approval. In the end fearing a backlash from the notoriously hot tempered Corsicans, he relented. In the end Francis became the 1st Pope to visit Corsica, another step on his policy of outreach to the Mediterranean communities, and gave Macron a lesson in diplomatic tit for tat.

As for the revitalization of the Churches of France and Europe, it has been on the way for several decades.  Almost 60 years after Vatican II and its catastrophic consequences for our Church, the revitalization has come mostly from the traditionalist movement, which has done a tremendous job of outreach to the young and the non believers. Here lies the conundrum, the modernist movement within the Church has not only taken the sacred out of the liturgy, it has also emptied the churches of its faithful. The irony is that the churches in France and Europe that have high attendance and devout following are the traditionalists. France which for decades lost thousands of priests to death and retirement while churning out barely 100 new priests a year, has seen a three fold increase in vocations. Yet these vocations are mostly from traditionalist communities. A similar movement also has happened among religious communities of Religious Sisters and Brothers. Hence the Vatican is faced with a dilemma. While promoting modernists to Bishops, Archbishops and Cardinals, the base of the European priesthood is made of traditionalist priests, while the modernists of the 60s are now in their 80s or 90s. This probably explains some of the knee jerk reactions we see from time to time. Further the priests  brought in from Africa, South America and India to fill the gaps in Europe mostly come from far more conservative societal background, which compound the issue for the Vatican.

It is a perfect case of damned if you do, damned if you don't 

P.S: One of several reasons Francis has been relatively harsh vis a vis of the Neocatumenates, is that he does not like their Judeo Masonic structure and their Masonic tendencies to secrecies.

WHEN THINGS DON'T ADD UP

In a comment to the post CHURCH MOURNS THE PASSING OF FATHER ANTONINO CAMINITI, Anonymous writes:

AnonymousDecember 26, 2024 at 8:38 PM

Sounds like suicide. The reason he brought him in to archbishop residence was because he was going through a hard time

I responded to the comment but decided to set it out more clearly here:

Unfortunately this is a growing speculation. What we do know - per the archbishop's letter of 12 November 2024 - is:

1. That the archbishop received a report of "a serious allegation of clergy misconduct of a boundary violation toward an adult female."

2. That the accused was Fr. Antonino Caminiti and that the incident occurred 11 years ago when "Nino" was pastor of the church in Asan.

3. That "the necessary procedures were initiated, the preliminary investigation was conducted and the allegation is now under further investigation as recommended by the Independent Review Board."

4. That the archbishop was "concerned about his (Fr. Nino's) well-being and the need to accompany him during this trying moment as a father would do."

5. That "given temporary precautionary measures," Fr. Nino "will reside with me" (with the archbishop at his residence).

6. That Fr. Nino was awaiting acceptance to a Center for Assisted Intensive Renewal Program for Priests.

And then, pursuant to the archbishop's letter of 16 December 2024, hardly one month after the archbishop's announcement of the allegation against Fr. Nino, the archbishop announces Fr. Nino's death with no information other than to ask for prayers and the schedule for the rosary and funeral.

In short:

1. Fr. Nino was accused by an adult female for what is obviously a violation of a sexual nature.

2. Fr. Nino was functionally placed under house arrest in the archbishop's own house while he awaited acceptance to a reform house.

3. That four weeks later, Fr. Nino is dead, and on the archbishop's watch. 

4. That the archbishop has made no mention of the cause of death.

5. That the archbishop's silence on this matter has led to speculation of suicide and even poisoning (murder) as the cause of death.

What we also know, or at least can deduce, is that Fr. Nino's death was sudden and unexpected. If it was a stroke or a heart attack, it would have been so simple for the archbishop to say so. But he has not. 

What is so ironic is that the archbishop started out his letter of 16 November 2024 regarding the allegation stating: 

"Since my installation as Archbishop of Agaña, I expressed that I will be transparent as your shepherd."

What could be more non-transparent that keeping secret the cause of death of someone functionally under house arrest in the "shepherd's" own house?

Sad to say, but those of us who have been through the "ugly" in this archdiocese, must - when things don't add up - suspect that something else is going on. In other words, the cause of death is being kept secret for a reason - and probably at the order of someone other than the archbishop. 

The image in the bottom left of this announcement is a clue.

Before things get uglier, the archbishop can prevent further scandal by being the "transparent" that he promised us. How did he die? Where did he die? Answer those questions and maybe we can prevent the next question: Why did he die?

CHOOSE TO HAVE A MERRY CHRISTMAS

LINK to online version

According to a recent Time magazine article, “How Estrangement Has Become an Epidemic in America,” 1 in 2 adults in the U.S. are estranged from a close relative.

Given the season, perhaps I should be writing about something more Christmassy instead of something as serious and sad as estrangement.

But since estrangement from close relatives is usually felt most acutely at this time of year, perhaps it’s a good time to address it. It may even help some who suffer with this to know they are not alone.

Few things are as painful as being estranged from a loved one, particularly when that loved one is your child. It happened to me. And it happened suddenly and severely.

For quite awhile I was in a daze - to put it mildly. One minute everything was normal and the next minute, and out of nowhere - at least as I experienced it, I was cut off, blocked, erased - and by multiple children.

In time, I would learn that I wasn’t alone. Once they heard about it, friends came forward to share with me their own accounts of being cut off, blocked, and erased by their adult children, and, in some cases, accused, as I was, of everything from neglect to abuse.

I found the same stories in online support groups, one of which is hosted by Dr. Joshua Coleman, one of the authors of the aforementioned Time article.

Dr. Coleman, a psychologist and therapist, is unique among psychologists and therapists in that he blames the estrangement epidemic - at least in part - on psychologists and therapists.

In another article, Dr. Coleman writes: “As therapists, we hold up the ideal parent or family experience as a way to shine a light on what an adult’s life might have been if she’d had better parenting. This serves the purpose of helping our client to not blame herself for self-limiting and self-hating voices, and to allow her distance from parents and others whose contact tends to amplify that voice, rather than diminish it.”

In other words, “don’t blame yourself, blame your parents.” As Dr. Coleman writes: “…therapists tempt adult children to feel contempt or even hatred for their parents.”

Such therapy has become an industry, a lucrative one. It’s not hard to see how easily psychologists and therapists - even well-meaning ones - can get clients for life, or at least keep them coming back for the next session and the next.

No one wants to blame him or herself, especially not in today’s “victim” culture, so who more convenient to blame for your troubles than your parents, and if you’re a female, particularly your father.

This becomes even more destructive when the other parent, mother or father, takes the side of the child to fan the flames of blame on the target parent.

However, one doesn’t need a therapist to learn to blame one’s parents. We are surrounded by a culture which elevates the child over the adult, a culture, particularly via movies and other media, which casts adults as bumbling idiots and children as mature masterminds - a delusion that warps into evermore damaging estrangement when that child becomes an adult.

Unfortunately, we parents have participated in our own destruction by wanting to give our children the proverbial “better life than we had.” So we are not as hard on them as our parents were on us. And whereas we more than likely received scant and rare praise from our parents, we shower our children with ours.

And the result? 1 in 2 U.S. adults are estranged from a close relative and it is usually an adult child.

I don’t know about you, but there was plenty to blame my parents for, particularly my father with whom I had a strained relationship, especially as an adult. However, it never ever occurred to me to disrespect my parents or to cut them off.

So when I look at how much gentler I was to my own children, it’s hard to understand how they could disrespect me and cut me off, that is until I take into consideration the victim culture they live in and the kind of “therapy” Dr. Coleman writes about.

So what to do? This is the constant cry of the parents in the online groups that I am in. I can tell you what I did, but I’ll leave that for a future column. Meanwhile, CHOOSE to have a Merry Christmas. That’s what I’ve done for seven Christmases now. Choose.

Tim Rohr has resided in Guam since 1987. He has raised a family of 11 children, owned several businesses, and is active in local issues via his blog, JungleWatch.info, letters to local publications, and occasional public appearances. He may be contacted at timrohr.guam@gmail.com    

STATS AND TRENDS

By Tim Rohr

These are the top 3 most viewed posts over the last 7 days. As you can see, they all have to do with the NCW, including the 3rd story which was posted more than 10 years ago. The fact that the post about Msgr. James' ouster as rector of the Cathedral as part of the attempted NCW overthrow of our diocese 10 years ago appears with the top two stories is telling. And what it tells me is that the neocat generals are alive, well, and active - especially now that they have this new leadership in place - both here and in Saipan.

CHURCH MOURNS THE PASSING OF FATHER ANTONINO CAMINITI

 ARCHDIOCESAN ANNOUNCEMENT

BIBA TEQUANTLAXOPEUH!

LINK to online version

December 12 is the Catholic feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. And while the feast is close on the calendar to our celebration of Our Lady of Kamalen (December 8), the two “Our Lady’s” are close in another way.

Most of us who live in Guam are familiar with the legends of how the statue named Santa Marian Kamalen came to our shores and its miraculous adventures since, but not so well known is what we might call a “prequel” to its arrival in Guam.

Legend has it that the statue came to be at the bottom of the sea between what is now the village of Malesso and Cocos Island due to its having survived the shipwreck of a Spanish galleon, most likely the Nuestra Senora del Pilar which sank off the coast of Cocos Island in 1690.

The statue was believed to be aboard the galleon because Spanish ships of that day usually carried the statue of a patron saint for protection, and in the time of the Spanish galleons sailing between Mexico and the Philippines, this particular image of the Virgin Mary was very popular.

The original statue had been widely venerated in Spain since it was discovered in 1326. In that year, as legend has it, an angel appeared to a cowherd and told him to dig in a certain spot. Upon doing so, the cowherd uncovered a statue of the likeness of the Virgin Mary.

In his book, “The Wonder of Guadalupe,” George Johnston describes how the image had come to be buried six centuries earlier when Christians, fleeing the invading Muslims in 711 A.D., hid the statue for safekeeping.

The statue was an important one because, as Johnston describes, it had been a gift to a local Spanish bishop from Pope St. Gregory the Great (d. 604 A.D.) who had venerated the statue in his private oratory.

The statue was special to the pope because it was said to have been sculpted by St. Luke. As tradition has it, St. Luke was personally close to the Blessed Mother in the years after Jesus ascended into Heaven and it is very likely that Mary herself was his model.

Following the legend, it goes like this: St. Luke, who beheld the very face of the Blessed Mother, sculpted her image. The statue came to be in possession of Pope St. Gregory the Great who gifted it to a Spanish bishop. (590 A.D. to 604 A.D.) Christians fleeing the Muslims buried it for safekeeping (711 A.D.) It was discovered by a cowherd (1326 A.D.).

Upon discovery, the image came to be an object of popular veneration, especially by seafarers. Christopher Columbus is said to have venerated the image prior to his voyages to what became “the New World.”

Given its popularity among seafarers, it is quite probable that a copy of the image was aboard the Nuestra Senora del Pilar when it sank off the coast of Cocos Island in 1690.

Assuming this history is true, and also assuming how well the copies of the image were made, it is quite possible that the face of our Santa Marian Kamalen is the same face St. Luke beheld 2000 years ago: Mary herself.

So what is the connection to Our Lady of Guadalupe?

When the Spanish cowherd discovered the statue in 1326, it was near a village in Spain named “Guadalupe.” And, by the time the Blessed Mother appeared to Juan Diego in Mexico in 1531, the shrine at Guadalupe, Spain, was already well known.

Scholars speculate that this is why the Spanish bishop in Mexico thought Juan Diego had said “Guadalupe” when the bishop asked Diego for the name of the lady who had appeared to him. Diego, an Aztec, had probably said the phonetically similar Aztec (Nahuatl) word “Tequantlaxopeuh” - pronounced “Tequetalope,” which means “she who saves us from the devourer.”

For Aztecs, there was a real “devourer,” the serpent god “Quetzalcoatl,” to whom was sacrificed tens of thousands of still-beating human hearts torn from their still-living hosts.

Of all the Marian apparitions, the apparition to Juan Diego is the only one in which Mary gives her name instead of a title (such as “Immaculate Conception”). And the name she gives Diego is “Tequantlaxopeuh - She who saves us from the Devourer.”

The name comports with Genesis 3:15 and nearly 2000 years of images of Mary standing on and crushing the serpent, Satan.

Biba Santa Marian Kamalen. Biba Tequantlaxopeuh.

Tim Rohr has resided in Guam since 1987. He has raised a family of 11 children, owned several businesses, and is active in local issues via his blog, JungleWatch.info, letters to local publications, and occasional public appearances. He may be contacted at timrohr.guam@gmail.com    

 

NEOCAT PRIESTS

By Tim Rohr

For years we have been criticized for labeling Neocat priests "Neocat priests." We were shouted at that there is no such thing as a Neocatechumenal priest, that they are "just priests," diocesan priests, like the other diocesan priests. We knew this wasn't true. We knew that their formation and mission was completely different than "regular" diocesan priests. So we continued to label them what they were: "Neocat priests." 

Yesterday, at the ceremony for Santa Marian Kamelen, Archbishop Ryan Jimenez confirmed that "priests in the Neo-Catechumenal Way" are their own subset of priests - that they are different.

"To my brother priests and deacons, where are we now as a presbyterate?" he asked. "Are we committed to walk together—as religious priests--the Capuchins and Jesuits—as local priests, as Filipino priests, as priests in the Neo-Catechumenal Way?"

The Capuchins and Jesuits are "religious" (belonging to an order). Local and Filipino priests refer to the obvious. So who are the "priests in the Neo-Catechumenal Way?" 

Well, they are "Neocat priests," formed for a different mission and purpose than the diocesan priesthood. 

By the way, you may want to read this.

Great Britain: The “Neocatechumenal Way” Reined in by a Bishop

The danger that many bishops fear is that the particular habits of the Neocatechumenal communities all over the world will introduce a new “rite” into the Latin liturgy, artificially created by the founders of the Way, a rite that is foreign to  liturgical tradition, full of doctrinal ambiguities, and a cause for division in the community of the faithful. In short, a new Mass of the New Mass.

WHERE WERE YOU WHEN THE BULLIES AND THE BASTARDS MOLESTED AND RAPED OUR CHILDREN

By Tim Rohr

The following post appeared on the Facebook page of the Archdiocese of Agana. I will copy and past the full post and then draw out my concerns after. 

Archbishop: "Where are we as people of God?'

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Young men guide the karosa with the historic statue of Santa Marian Kamalen as the Most Reverend Ryan P. Jimenez follows close behind during the procession celebrating the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin and Feast of Santa Marian Kamalen Monday, Dec. 9, 2024 in Hagatña. Deacon Greg Calvo is to the right of Archbishop Ryan.

Marking his first celebration of the Feast of Santa Marian Kamalen on Guam as our shepherd, Archbishop Ryan initiated a rallying call during his homily atop the patio of the Cathedral-Basilica. 

He called on all people of our Catholic Church on Guam to walk closer together as one family, faithful to God like Mother Mary and working together in unity.

Echoing God's words to Adam and Eve in Genesis , "Where are you?" Archbishop Ryan first directed the question to each of the 11 schools of our Archdiocese of Agaña as he opened his homily. Then the archbishop asked all Catholics the same question but emphasized that the “Where are you?” is really a question of “Who are we?”

"When God asked 'Where are you' in the Book of Genesis as we heard at Mass today, God did not ask about physical location," Archbishop Ryan told the people. "God did not ask Adam and Even which tree  were they hiding behind. The 'Where are you' question means 'human beings, where are you in the scheme of things?'”

Archbishop Ryan continued, "Where are we as people of God in the Archdiocese of Agaña? Who are we as people of God in this archdiocese?" 

Our new archbishop recalled that on December 8 of 2015, Jesuit priest, Fr. Fran Hezel, delivered a message at the same spot before the traditional lukkao (procession) of Santa Marian Kamalen.

"Fr. Fran emphasized that 'the people of Guam look to Santa Marian Kamalen as the patroness of this island through good times and through trials, always watching over us, bringing us closer to her, to her Son, and to one another. We are supposed to be her family, brothers and sisters to one another,'” the archbishop said.

"But nine nine years ago, Fr. Fran also challenged all of you when he said how could we walk together behind the statue and honor our Mother when we are so divided? Imagine our Mother looking down on us and shaking her head," said Archbishop Ryan.

"If I may use contemplation,I imagine the Blessed Mother saying, 'I feel sad for my children who are so divided?'”

“Piniti yu’ nu i famagu’un-hu ni manpus man/a/dispatta,” the archbishop said in Chamorro.

"That was nine years ago. Today, December 9, 2024, if God asks us 'Where are we as a people,' I dare to say, 'We are here,' 'Mang-gaigi ham guini…' we are doing our best to continue to walk together, slowly but steadily, not perfect, but full of hope."

Archbishop Ryan thanked everyone for coming together for the festal commemoration and for the Santa Marian Kamalen procession. He said, "Our practice of lukkao (procession) is very much in line with the Holy Father’s emphasis on a church walking together. He uses a technical term 'synodality' but it is not really something new…synodality, simply put is walking together. Walking together in faith: communion, participation, and mission."

Archbishop Ryan asked the young people present in Hagatna and listening to the livestream, "Are you willing to walk together, rain or shine … but in faith, in love, and in hope?"

Then he addressed parents, educators, spiritual fathers and sisters to the young, telling them, "Let us assure our young of our “thoughtful and patient accompaniment.”

The clergyman chosen by Pope Francis to lead the Church on Guam also urged greater unity and fellowship among the clergy. "To my brother priests and deacons, where are we now as a presbyterate?" he asked. "Are we committed to walk together—as religious priests--the Capuchins and Jesuits—as local priests, as Filipino priests, as priests in the Neo-Catechumenal Way?"

He continued, "To the religious sisters, parishioners, those involved in the many ministries of our parishes, where are we now and, like the Blessed Mother who said 'yes,' do we also say 'yes' to moving forward and doing our best to be better, safer churches, and more responsive and compassionate to those in need?"

Expounding on the day's Gospel of Luke, 1:26-38, Archbishop Ryan told the people that Our Blessed Mother gave her “yes” to God, with all humility, (and) with a spirit of service,... and this was essentially a proclamation of her love.

"However, Mary’s 'yes' was not a 'once-in-a-lifetime' thing," the archbishop said. "In truth, from that moment onwards, up until the 'end', Mary had to continue saying 'yes' to God. In other words, it was not enough to make a choice; it was also necessary to make a commitment to that choice."

"And so, let us renew this commitment to walk together, to start our procession (lukkao), through the intercession and protection of the Blessed Mother, Santa Marian Kamalen," Archbishop Ryan said.

Our archbishop concluded his reflection to the people this way:

"Since I started calling the young, let me now call the not-so-young?  To our parishioners of the 26 parishes -- where are you?

Månu nai gaigai hao? (where are you?)"

"I am here – Estegui yu  (Gaigue yu guini)," the archbishop said in Chamorro. "We are here – Manggaigi ham guini."

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Archdiocese of Agana photo by Tony C. Diaz

++++++

I suppose there are many who think that I'm picking on or even being disrespectful to our new archbishop. That's fine. I'm past the point of caring. After seeing and having personally lost so much in the wars to expose the largest per capita clergy sex abuse scandal in the entire Catholic world, I don't care. Stuff needs to be said and I'm going to say it. 

1. UMATUNA: Then the archbishop asked all Catholics the same question but emphasized that the “Where are you?” is really a question of “Who are we?”

There was a reason John Paul II ordered the beginning of the Nicene Creed to be changed back to "I believe" instead of the purposely mistranslated "We believe" which is what we were erroneously and purposely made to profess every Sunday for several decades. The Latin "Credo" is "I believe," and it is "I believe" for a reason. In the end, we will stand, naked and alone, before God's throne and we will be judged individually not collectively. 

There won't be any "we." There will only be a "you," a "where are you?" Or more specifically "where were you when I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me." (Mt. 25:41)

When God went looking for Adam in the garden, God wasn't asking "Who are we?" God was going after Adam, not even Adam and Eve, just Adam. Of course God knew all that had happened. He didn't need to ask. The real import of the story here is that Adam was put in charge, not Eve, and not both of them, and Adam failed. And he failed again when he blamed Eve. And while God punished both of them - and ultimately all of us - God held Adam responsible for the Fall, which is the very reason why Jesus is "the new Adam." 

I'm no theologian, but I don't need to be, and neither do you. God isn't asking "who are we?," or even "who are you?" He's asking exactly what the Scripture says: "Where are you?" Adam sinned. That's why he is hiding. And God is calling him out. When we sin we don't get to blame or hide. We don't get to take anyone into the confessional with us just as we won't be able to have anyone at our side at the Judgment. 

A great sermon could have been made out of those three words "Where are you?" Where are you in your relationship with Jesus right now? Are you hiding? Are you hiding a sin? Are you one person in church and another person at home? Maybe next year.

2. UMATUNA: "But nine nine years ago, Fr. Fran also challenged all of you when he said how could we walk together behind the statue and honor our Mother when we are so divided? Imagine our Mother looking down on us and shaking her head," said Archbishop Ryan. "If I may use contemplation, I imagine the Blessed Mother saying, 'I feel sad for my children who are so divided?'”

Wow. Really? What got into the archbishop to dig up what "Fr. Fran" said nine years ago and then to use it to guilt trip us with "I imagine the Blessed Mother saying, 'I feel sad for my children who are so divided?'”

In case the archbishop needs a reminder, our church was "so divided" at the time because Apuron's crimes were beginning to be exposed: the canonically illegal firing of Fr. Paul Gofigan, the shameful eviction of Msgr. James, the discovery of the secret deed that gave away the church's largest asset to the Neocatechumenal Way, and the beginning of the accusations of sexual abuse that eventually brought down the conviction of Apuron by the pope himself.

But in those days, we had people like "Fr. Fran" telling us to shut up and sit down and trying to shame us into silence with crap like what he said nine years ago about the Blessed Mother "looking down on us and shaking her head." 

You bet she was shaking her head. But it wasn't at us, it was at you: the "Fr. Fran's" and bishops like Flores, Apuron, Camacho. And now we have to include Jimenez because obviously Jimenez, by digging up this nine year old scolding to vicariously scold us again, is lashing out at those of us who stood up to the bullies and the bastards who molested and raped our children and then attempted to shame and sue us into silence.

So maybe that's why Jimenez didn't want to talk about "Where are you?" Because "WHERE WERE YOU?" is the question we were asking about the clergy in this archdiocese for decades while Jimenez' brothers ate our children's bodies and vomited out their souls.

COURAGEOUS - AMENDED

By Tim Rohr

In my post of a few days ago COURAGEOUS? NOT! wherein I called out the archbishop use of "courageous" to describe the 287 persons who had filed lawsuits against the archdiocese for clergy sex abuse when only a very few were actually "courageous" enough to use their names, I overlooked an important truly courageous survivor: Leo Tudela.

I probably forgot to mention Leo because I was more focused on Apuron's victims and the initial four who went public prior to the introduction of legislation which led to the lawsuits. 

However, Leo, whose allegations of abuse by Guam clergy goes back even to the 1950's when he was a young boy from Saipan, played and still plays a critical role in bringing justice to the survivors of decades of abuse by Guam's clergy and others who were in the employ of the Church and its institutions. 

At the legislative hearing for the bill that would become law, Leo's testimony brought many in the hearing room to tears including several senators, and while testimony from the other victims was similarly tragic and powerful, I believe Leo's testimony, probably because Leo is an older man, really nailed the bill to the wall and brought about the unanimous vote.

After the bankruptcy proceedings were initiated, Leo became the point man for all the victims and continues in that roll today, making sure that amidst all the "lawyering," the real victims and the tragedy they suffered are not forgotten.

See: LEO TUDELA SHARES HIS STORY OF BEING SEXUALLY ABUSED BY CHURCHMEN ON GUAM 

COURAGEOUS? NOT!

By Tim Rohr

Archbishop Ryan Jimenez has published the court-ordered "Disclosure Statements" naming those persons "named in the sexual abuse lawsuits."

I assume most readers will focus on the names. However, I want to focus on Jimenez' use of the word "courageous" in his "accompanying letter" to describe the abused:

"...the Archdiocese responded to the mandate of the 287 courageous men and women who revealed their childhood suffering at the hands of members of the Church."

There were not 287 "courageous men and women." There were four: Roy Quintanilla, Walter Denton, Roland Sondia, and Doris Concepcion (for her deceased son, Joseph "Sonny" Quinata). 

Just about everyone else hid behind their initials in their court filings. The few who did use their real names - and I can only think of one - Apuron's nephew, Mark Apuron - did so well after there was a law in place to protect them: the law lifting the civil statute of limitations permitting accusers to sue their abusers and the institutions to which the alleged abusers belonged or were employed by.

Roy, Walter, Roland, and Doris came forward well before there was any law to protect them and in doing so wrought the wrath of Apuron upon them as he threatened to sue them both civilly and canonically:

"...the Archdiocese of Agana is in the process of taking canonical and legal measures against those perpetrating these malicious lies." - Archdiocese of Agana, Media Release, May 31, 2016

I have shared this many times, but it needs to be continually shared. These four did not demand compensation, they demanded an apology - only an apology. At that point, Apuron could have put out a statement saying "I'm sorry, but I did not abuse you" and it probably would have all been over. 

But he didn't. While he did state that he did not abuse them, he also threatened to sue them for saying so.

Archdiocese plans to sue for ‘malicious lies’ again - Pacific Daily News, June 1, 2016

(Note: The funny-tragic reality about all this is that Apuron had already run away. These threats were made by the arch-neocats, Adrian and Edivaldo, who had occupied Apuron's throne after he high-tailed it to Rome.) 

That set off the chain reaction which led to all the horror which followed, including the Church's bankruptcy. 

Still, things may not have gotten very far if not for the machinations of "the Red Pope," the Kiko's man in Rome - who, as we would later discover - was the wizard pulling all the levers.

After sending his right hand man, Archbishop Hon, to Guam to put down the rebellion - and it was an anti-neo rebellion as much as it was a rebellion against Apuron's sex abuse of minors, the Red Pope, probably via influence from the Neocat generals (you know who they are), ridiculed the legislation Senator Frank Blas, Jr. had put forward to lift the civil statute of limitations on sex crimes against minors. 

Archbishop Hon: "In two weeks this will die down." - June 12, 2016

Frank's bill, though, did not include institutional liability, leaving little to no reason for lawyers to take up the cause against perpetrators who for the most part had no material assets and several of whom were dead. 

Upon the Red Pope's orders, Hon ridiculed the legislation and that set off the lay-person-run move to amend the legislation to include institutional liability - enabling the abused to sue the archdiocese - or more specifically - the Archbishop of Agana, a Corporate Sole. 

As we know, the bill, after gut-wrenching emotional testimony by Apuron's survivors (the four of them), passed the Legislature unanimously, and, after one last attempt by the Red Pope to stop it via a petition ordered by Hon, was signed into law in September 2016. 

After the neocat-controlled Hon was run out of town and was replaced by the soon to be Archbishop Byrnes, there was no more opposition. Byrnes pretty much threw up his hands and said "I'm sorry...sue me."   

UPDATE ON THE NATIVES ARE RESTLESS

By Tim Rohr

In the post IN SAIPAN: THE NATIVES ARE RESTLESS, I linked to a letter to the editor as published by the Marianas Variety, a Saipan paper, wherein the author laments the appointment of an outsider to the office of Bishop of Chalan Kanoa and asks: 

Why are our indigenous Chamorro and Carolinian priests consistently overlooked to lead our faith and people? Are our indigenous priests not deemed worthy enough? 

While I think Fr. Convocar is not the right choice for Saipan, and the appointment appears to be a chess move by neocat power brokers (I'll explain later), there weren't a lot of "Chamorro and Carolinian priests" to overlook.

According to a JW reader, there are only 3-4 Chamorro priests and 1 Carolinian in Saipan. It's possible one of them could have been appointed, however, and unfortunately for the local priests, the appointment of local bishops to lead these islands has not worked out well.

The lack of local vocations in both Guam and the Northern Marianas is the obvious sign of failed leadership, even if we overlook that all three local bishops - Flores, Apuron, and Camacho - are credibly accused sexual offenders, a fact now published on the Archdiocese of Agana website. 

The author also laments:

The Church in any Pacific culture, is supposed to protect the language and culture. 

Actually, no. The Church in any culture, not just the Pacific culture, is supposed to protect the flock from the wiles of the devil and lead its children home to Heaven. It's up to the people themselves - if they want - "to protect the language and culture." 

Just a note now to say why I suspect neocat machinations in the appointment of Fr. Convocar to Saipan. It's a long and convoluted story that maybe I'll write someday, but bottom line is that the Neocat empire has never suffered a defeat like it did in Guam when Apuron was ousted and their seminary was canned. 

This is a gaping hole in Kiko's credibility. (I use the name of the founder, Kiko, as a metaphor for the whole Neocat governing apparatus). Much of the Catholic world where the Kiko's have planted themselves has been desperate to throw them out for years now, but have not been able to mount the attack that we did here in Guam. 

(I clarify the "them" as the Neocat generals, not the good Catholics who, while participants in the Neocatechumenal Way, are not part of the corruption at the top.)

To keep the tide from rolling over them and rolling them out, they, the Kiko's, have had to keep up the story that Apuron was the victim of a conspiracy led by "Tim Rohr and his associates" (their words) and that Apuron is not only innocent but will be proven to be. 

"Tim Rohr and his associates launched a vicious and calumnious attack on the Archbishop and the Church." - Archdiocese of Agana, Media Release, May 31, 2016

That has become harder and harder over the years given all that has spilled out in the wake of the first outing of Apuron, but the Kiko's haven't given up. Their next step is to establish a seminary in Saipan and inserting a bishop who they can control is a necessary step. 

I'm not saying Convocar is a pushover or a Neo, but he is definitely non-confrontational - as are many priests who come "here" as "guest priests." It's well-known that Apuron preferred them because he could get rid of them if they didn't fall at his feet. It's also the main reason why he only incardinated the ones he could count on.

Convocar is likely to "work with" the Kiko's in the name of "unity," while the Kiko's rebuild in Saipan. Meanwhile, you may wonder why they, the Kiko's, didn't do this when Ryan Jimenez was bishop. They did.  

IN SAIPAN: THE NATIVES ARE RESTLESS

In the Saipan Tribune:

A betrayal of trust and heritage: Where are our indigenous leaders?

Nov. 25, 2024, was a heartbreaking and infuriating day for our Chamorro and Carolinian people! Why are our indigenous Chamorro and Carolinian priests consistently overlooked to lead our faith and people? Are our indigenous priests not deemed worthy enough? Last night and today, the pain in their eyes was undeniable—our community deeply feels the weight of this injustice.

The Church in any Pacific culture, is supposed to protect the language and culture. Our Chamorro and Carolinian language and culture have withstood centuries of foreign domination. We survived the Spanish, German, and Japanese cultural purges, only to now face the slow erasure of our heritage by the very institution that should be defending it—the Catholic Church. This is nothing less than a tragedy for the people of the CNMI. CONTINUED

A SMALL GLIMMER OF HOPE, IN A DARK WORLD AMID A DIPLOMATIC ROW

 (posted by Frenchie)

December 8th has a special significance for Guam, it is without a doubt a day of celebration for Catholics on the island, which is marked by a Mass with the Archbishop at the Cathedral, followed by a Marian procession in the street of Agatna.

THE DEATH OF GUAM'S AUSCHWITZ FOR CHILDREN

By Tim Rohr

There was a recent article in the local paper about troubles happening at the now abandoned building which once operated as the Guam Polyclinic. The title of the article refers to the building as a "public safety issue." 

I couldn't help but think of the irony of the words "public safety issue" now that it is abandoned given that it was in this building that thousands of Guam's children were put to death over a period of about 30 years by Guam's most prolific abortionist, a certain Dr. Griley. 

At the time The Esperansa Project began accessing the abortion reports required by law in 2008, even from the incomplete and fragmented records, it appeared that Dr. Griley was averaging close to two abortions per day in this building. 

I often wondered how he disposed of all those bodies. The dumpster?

There's a few more ironic points in the story. 

The Tamuning mayor is quoted as saying how potential buyers for the building are "scared away." The mayor is referring to the loitering and vandalism, however, given the number of deaths in that building, perhaps prospective buyers are scared away for other reasons. I don't know what the owners are asking for the building, but the building is in a high-demand location so maybe something else explains why it hasn't been sold and continues to rot away. (Satan eats his own.)

The mayor also said:

“We have an outstanding community that cares, and so a lot of individuals take part in the neighborhood crime watch chat. We have chats for different areas, so anything suspicious or things like that, criminal activity, they’re asked to report it on the chat."

Apparently killing two babies a day for thirty years wasn't "suspicious or things like that."

The mayor also referenced the bus stop in front of the building:

"Even with the bus stop that’s right there in front by that building, it was just painted, sponsored by Home Depot, and it’s already graffitied. There's just a bunch of people that are just doing the wrongdoings and finding places that have no activity."

Well, once upon a time there was regular activity at that bus stop, and it wasn't people waiting to catch a bus. It was a regular "bunch of people" who actually did care about "criminal activity" in that building, the butchering of thousands of children whose silent screams were never heard and whose bodies lay buried in our landfills.

At the time of this picture (2012), shutting down Guam's bloodthirsty abortion machine seemed impossible. But due to the persistence of a few (2 of them are my daughters), Guam's Auschwitz for Children is as abandoned and forlorn as the former Nazi extermination camp. 

As a "by the way," directly beneath the above-referenced story in the Guam Daily Post in the print edition was another story titled: SaguaMPG clinic to close February 2025. I don't know if any abortions were ever performed there, but given the very public advocacy for abortion by some of Sagua's more well-known doctors, you might say the story was well-timed...and placed.

REQUIEM AETERNAM, GRANDPA

LINK to online version

In my last column, I told the story of an anti-Catholic friend who converted to Catholicism and later died on All Saints Day. In that story I mentioned that November is the month that Catholics especially pray for the dead and said that I would explain why Catholics pray for the dead in a later column. So here goes.

In the Catholic calendar, November 1 is All Saints Day and November 2 is All Souls Day. What is the difference between Saints and Souls?

According to Catholic teaching, Saints are Souls who are with God in Heaven for all Eternity, and Souls, or more specifically, the Souls we remember on November 2, are Souls who are on their way to Heaven but aren’t “there” yet.

So where are they?

The Catholic Church teaches: “All who die in God's grace and friendship, but still imperfectly purified, are indeed assured of their eternal salvation; but after death they undergo purification, so as to achieve the holiness necessary to enter the joy of heaven.” (CCC 1030)

This state of purification is what the Catholic Church calls “Purgatory.” Its existence or the need for it was at the root of Martin Luther’s revolution in 1517 and it remains a major difference between Catholic and non-Catholic (Protestant) beliefs today.

To support the doctrine of Purgatory, the Catechism of the Catholic Church references several scriptures including 1 Cor 3:15, 1 Pet 1:7, 2 Mac 12:46, and Job 1:5. However, I always like to include Revelation 20:13-14 and 21:37.

Revelation 20:13-14 gives us the clearest indication in Scripture of a “third place,” a “place” which isn’t Heaven and isn’t Hell: “The sea gave up its dead; then Death and Hades gave up their dead. All the dead were judged according to their deeds.Then Death and Hades were thrown into the pool of fire. (This pool of fire is the second death.)”

The context is the End of Time and the Final Judgment. So here we are at the end of time and there are Souls (“the dead”) who are in “Death and Hades.” We know this isn’t the final place of damnation (“Hell”) because the scripture tells us that Death and Hades are “thrown into the pool of fire” - the “second death.” That’s Hell.

So if Death and Hades is not Hell, and certainly not Heaven, what is it? And more importantly, who are these “Dead” and why are they there?

This takes us to Revelation 21:27: “nothing unclean shall enter it.” The “it” is Heaven, and the faithful who die in the grace of God (their sins are forgiven), may still be “unclean” due to what the Catholic Church calls “temporal punishment due to sin.”

A short analogy is the scenario of little Johnny being sorry for breaking a neighbor’s window, whereafter the neighbor forgives him, but the window still needs to be repaired. For Catholics, forgiveness and reparation go hand in hand and yet are two different things.

While Johnny is sorry and forgiven for breaking the window, the window must still be repaired (“reparation”) and because God is both all-just and all-merciful, he gives us a chance to pay for a new window so that we are completely “clean” when we enter into the eternal beauty of the beatific vision.

I am very aware of all the “Protestant” challenges to this point of Catholicism, but my intent here is not to engage those arguments and only to share the Catholic belief.

However, these days the real challenge to the belief in a state of post-death purification isn’t so much coming from Protestants as it is from well-meaning pastors, who, in an attempt to console the bereaved at funeral Masses, sometimes homilize the deceased into Heaven, or at minimum, fail to make any mention of Purgatory or “The Church Suffering” - as the “Poor Souls” in Purgatory are referred to in Catholic teaching.

Unfortunately, this penchant to comfort from the pulpit has lead to the trend where instead of begging prayers for the repose of Grandpa’s soul, we “celebrate his new life, “proclaim “he’s in a better place now,” and smile that “he’s no longer in pain,” - attitudes which deny Grandpa prayers and may keep Grandpa suffering in Purgatory longer than he needs to.

My Aunt Rose once told me that my Grandpa’s dying words were: “Never stop praying for me.” He knew he was going to Heaven, but not right away. Requiem Aeternam, Grandpa. Requiem Aeternam.

My paternal grandparents, Elmer and Helen Rohr, at the family farm house near Massillon Ohio, heading off to Sunday Mass. ca. 1936

Tim Rohr has resided in Guam since 1987. He has raised a family of 11 children, owned several businesses, and is active in local issues via his blog, JungleWatch.info, letters to local publications, and occasional public appearances. He may be contacted at timrohr.guam@gmail.com    

NEW BISHOP FOR SAIPAN

Archdiocese of Agaña
Episcopal Conference
of the Pacific Press Release

Nov. 25, 2024

Pope Francis appoints Fr. Romeo D. Convocar as Bishop of Chalan Kanoa

---

(CEPAC, Suva, Fiji) - The Holy Father, Pope Francis, has appointed the Very Reverend Fr. Romeo Duetao Convocar, former Apostolic Administrator and currently the Vicar-General of the Archdiocese of Agana, Guam, as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa, Northern Mariana Islands.

The appointment was officially published on November 25, 2024 (12:00 noon CET Rome). This appointment was also personally announced in Chalan Kanoa by His Eminence, Luis Antonio Gokim Cardinal Tagle, the Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, who is currently in Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands, for the celebration of the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa's 40th Anniversary of Canonical Establishment. 

The Reverend Fr. Convocar was born in Iloilo, Philippines. He completed both his high school studies and his bachelor of arts major in philosophy with a minor in English at St. Joseph Seminary in Dumaguete City and his theological studies at St Joseph Regional Seminary in Jaro, Iloilo City.

He was ordained into the Sacred Order of Priesthood for the Military Ordinariate on September 17, 1996. Subsequently, he was commissioned as a Military Chaplain in the Armed Forces of the Philippines with the rank of Captain. He completed his Technical Service Officers Basic and Advance Courses at the Philippine Army Training and Doctrine Command at Fort Ramon Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija. He served as a chaplain officer for about ten years and was assigned to various military installations and commands under the headquarters units and the Navy. Moreover, he also served for about five years as the Spiritual Director and Procurator of the Domus Josephi Formation House, a seminary of the Military Ordinariate.

The Reverend Father Convocar moved to Guam and was incardinated in the Archdiocese of Agana. He has served as the Parish Administrator of St Joseph Church in Inalajan, Pastor of San Isidro in Malojloj, and Rector of Agana Cathedral-Basilica. Currently, he is the Administrator of Blessed Diego Luis de San Vitores Parish in Tumon. Moreover, as he has studied Tribunal Practice at the Institute of Tribunal Practice, which is affiliated with the Catholic Institute of Sydney and governed by the Canon Law Society of Australia and New Zealand, he furthermore serves as an Advocate and Auditor in the Metropolitan Tribunal.

Bishop-Elect Convocar was also a formator of seminarians of the archdiocese before the closure of the seminaries in Guam. He served as the Vicar-General to former Agana Archbishop Most Rev. Michael Jude Byrnes until his resignation on March 28, 2023, due to health reasons. At the time of Archbishop Byrnes' resignation, he was named by His Holiness Pope Francis as the Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Agana, the office that he served for more than a year.

Since August 15, 2024, the Very Reverend Father Charlie Borja has served as the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa following the appointment of Archbishop Ryan Pagente Jimenez as the Metropolitan Archbishop of Agana.

The Bishop-Elect's Episcopal Consecration will be announced at a later date. 

BIDEN'S "THUMB-IN-THE-EYE" OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

By Tim Rohr

President Biden conferred the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Cecile Richards, the former president of Planned Parenthood who oversaw the deaths of an estimated 3.9 million unborn children during her tenure from 2006 to 2018. The Catholic Action League had this to say about it:

LEAGUE CONDEMNS BIDEN AWARD TO FORMER CEO OF PLANNED PARENTHOOD

In a thumb-in-the-eye to the Catholic Church and all pro-life Americans, lame duck President Joe Biden—an alleged Catholic—has conferred the nation’s highest civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, on the former president of the Planned Parenthood Federation of America, and the Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Cecile Richards.

The closed door ceremony was held earlier today in the White House.

According to the Washington Times, “The ceremony was not listed on Mr. Biden’s public schedule, nor was his decision to award the medal to Ms. Richards publicly announced until after the presentation. Members of the media were not invited to watch the ceremony, which was not live-streamed on the White House website.”

Biden hailed Richards for her “absolute courage and conviction,” calling her “a leader of the utmost character,” who “carved an inspiring legacy that endures.”

Without awareness of irony, Biden spoke of “the countless lives she has made better...”

Richards directed the nation’s largest killing machine, and its lobbying and political arm, from 2006 to 2018. During that time, she presided over the destruction of nearly 3.9 million innocent pre-born children.

It was during Richards’ tenure as CEO that Planned Parenthood’s trafficking in fetal body parts was exposed.

The Catholic Action League called the award by Biden “an appalling betrayal of the Faith of his baptism, and a demonically evil act, which celebrates the willful murder of the innocent, the first of the four sins which ‘crieth to heaven for vengeance.’”

Catholic Action League Executive Director C. J. Doyle made the following comment: “At the International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg, mass murderers received a just penalty for their crimes against humanity.

“In Joe Biden’s America, a mass murderer has just been given the country’s highest award.

“How any priest or prelate at Washington’s Saint Matthew’s Cathedral can give a moral monster like Biden Holy Communion staggers the imagination.

“The Archbishop of Washington, Cardinal Wilton Gregory, ought to excommunicate Joe Biden, but he is far too busy closing down Latin Masses to take cognizance of Biden’s latest assault on the beliefs and sensibilities of Catholics.

“Biden’s embrace of the moral equivalent of Adolf Eichmann should put paid to the pretense that some Catholic politicians are ‘personally opposed’ to abortion, but do not wish ‘to impose their religion upon others.’

“No one who has the slightest ethical discomfort with abortion could possibly honor the killer of nearly four million babies.

“In whatever lucid moments which remain to him, Joe Biden ought to ponder the warning given to political leaders by Pope Pius XI about abortion, who wrote ‘And if the public magistrates not only do not defend them [unborn children], but by their laws and ordinances betray them to death at the hands of doctors or of others, let them remember that God is the Judge and Avenger of innocent blood which cried from earth to Heaven.’”

 

AUTHORITY THEY DO NOT HAVE

By Tim Rohr

This is a Catholic post about the "laying on of hands" by laypersons. It can be read at my Catholic blog here. 

THE CAY - 40 YEARS LATER

By Tim Rohr

I can’t remember the last time I read a book cover to cover in one sitting, but I just read this one. In fact, I think the last time I read a book cover to cover was this same book probably 40 years ago after I found myself similarly “stranded” on a Caribbean island, St. Croix, or at least that’s what it felt like then.

I came across this book, "The Cay" (pronounced "Key") the other day at the local community college in the adult education department where my specially challenged son, William, is being tutored. As we were getting ready to leave, William noticed a table with rows of books on it. We walked over to see what was there. All the books were turned spine up except for this one. It was face up. I immediately recognized the title and the cover. The books were for the taking so I took it.

Today, William and I had some challenges and afterwards I decided that I was just going to sit down and catch up on some reading. I had forgotten that I had this book but noticed it on the table when I sat down. So I said, "why not?" I picked it up intending to just read for a few minutes. That was four hours ago and I just finished the last page.

The story had great meaning for me 40 years ago, and it had great meaning for me today. 40 years ago I was the young boy on the island, but today I was the old man with the young boy (William). In fact, the boy, like William, is handicapped and initially dependent on the old man, whose name, by the way is Timothy. Timothy dies in a hurricane, leaving the boy, Philip, blind and alone on the island. But before he died, Timothy had taught Philip how to take care of himself. Philip does take care of himself and is eventually rescued. 

And that’s my plan for William.  

SENATORS FAIL US - PART 1

By Tim Rohr

Recently, Bill 355-37 has been in the news, probably more for Senator Parkinson's "sexually explicit gesture" aimed at Senator Joanne Browne than anything else. But before Parkinson's simulated sex act (which is what it was) took the stage, Bill 355-37 contained a provision that was of concern to me. 

By the time the bill went to the floor for a vote, the concerning provision had been removed - a matter I will discuss later - but in the process, I "noticed" the public was not "noticed" about the public hearing for the bill. 

So, on Oct. 22, I delivered a Freedom of Information Act Request to Speaker Terlaje for "All public records relative to all public hearings relative to Bill No. 355-37 demonstrating compliance pursuant to 5 G.C.A. §8104 (5) and §8108."

Speaker Terlaje replied via email on Oct. 25 and directed me to the Committee Report. While copies of the requested documents were in the Committee Report, Speaker Terlaje functionally blew off my lawful request by directing me to a 185 page document with the implied message of "find it yourself." 

Nevertheless, I did find the pertinent documents and I also found that Senator Joe San Agustin, Chairman of the committee which held the hearing, had violated the Open Government Law by failing to send public notice to "each newspaper of general circulation and broadcasting station which airs a regular local news program within Guam,” as required by 5 GCA §8108. 

Here are the screenshots of the addressees of the two notices:

At this point, I will copy my Nov. 4 email reply to Speaker Terlaje:

Timothy J. Rohr

PO Box 9001, Agat, GU 96928
671-483-0467
timrohr.guam@gmail.com

November 4, 2024

Therese M. Terlaje
Speaker, 37th Guam Legislature

RE: Request for Records under The Sunshine Reform Act of 1999

Greetings Speaker Terlaje:

On October 22, 2024, I delivered to you a Freedom of Information Act request for “All public records relative to all public hearings relative to Bill No. 355-37 demonstrating compliance pursuant to 5 G.C.A. §8104 (5) and §8108. (EXHIBIT A ATTACHED)

On October 25, 2024, you sent me an email directing me to the Committee Report on Bill No. 355-37 (COR), and also directing me to contact Senator Joe San Agustin. (EXHIBIT B ATTACHED)

This letter is in response to your email and Senator San Agustin is copied.

Pursuant to 5 GCA §8108. Special Meeting: “Notice shall also be given to each newspaper of general circulation and broadcasting station which airs a regular local news program within Guam.”

Pursuant to the Committee Report for the subject bill, there is no evidence that you complied with 5 GCA §8108.

Per the list of addressee's for both the first and second “Notice of Public Hearing” there is no addressee which is either a “newspaper of general circulation” or a “broadcasting station which airs a regular local news program within Guam.” (EXHIBIT C ATTACHED)

Among the addressee's there is only one news organization, Kandit News. Kandit News is neither a “newspaper of general circulation” nor a “broadcasting station which airs a regular local news program within Guam.”

Moreover, KUAM is a “broadcasting station which airs a regular local news program within Guam,” and there is no evidence of KUAM having been sent the required notices. And, even if you were to construe Kandit News as a “broadcasting station,” the law requires you to send notice to “each” station and there is no evidence that you did.

There are two other addressee's whose names are associated with the media: Haidee Gilbert and Robert Klitzkie. However, their addresses are redacted so it cannot be determined if the notices were sent to Gilbert and Klitzkie in their personal or media capacity.

And, even if the notice was in their media capacity, Haidee Gilbert is managing editor of the Pacific Daily News, which is not a “newspaper of general circulation,” but a website. And even if you were to define it as a newspaper, the law requires you to send notice to “each newspaper of general circulation,” and there is no notice addressed to the Guam Daily Post.

Moreover, Mr. Klitzkie has not been active with the “broadcasting station” otherwise known as "The Point" for several months, and even if he was, Mr. Klitzkie hosted a talk show during which there was no segment which “airs a regular local news program within Guam.”

Therefore, you must send me documentation demonstrating that you complied with 5 GCA §8108. Failure to do so will cause me to take further action.


Respectfully,


Timothy J. Rohr

CC: Senator Joe S. San Agustin, senatorjoessanagustin@gmail.com
Chairperson for the Committee on General Government Operations and Appropriations

+++++

As of today, Nov. 18, 14 days after the date of my reply, both Speaker Terlaje and Senator Joe San Agustin have "failed to do so." 

It's quite easy to see why. They failed to do so because they don't have anything to send. They (and I include Speaker Terlaje because she is the Speaker) violated the Open Government Law by not properly noticing a public hearing.

The failure doesn't seem to be because they were trying to sneak anything through - as legislatures have attempted to do in the past. The failure seems to be simple negligence. 

But how hard would it be to add the addresses of the Guam Daily Post (the only "newspaper of general circulation") and KUAM (the only "broadcasting station which airs a regular local news program within Guam") to the email addressees? 

Now that the election is over and both senators were soundly reelected, I'm not expecting any action from either of them. But it doesn't mean I'm done.