REPOST: MARTIN HENRY ROHR - A FATHER'S DAY REMEMBRANCE

Today, while searching for something else online, I came across this article I wrote in 2021 about my Dad for Father's Day. I'd like to think my finding it just now is a message from my Dad - or about him - since I wasn't looking for it, forgot I had ever written it, and it's Father's Day. The story was published in the Pacific Daily News on June 20, 2021.

Martin Henry Rohr had a tough Ohio upbringing

Dad was a big strong man with a big strong name: Martin Henry Rohr. He was born in the 1930s during the Great Depression and grew up in what was already a hundred-year-old farmhouse outside of Massillon, Ohio, on what is still called "Mudbrook Road." 

Martin Henry was the 10th of 14 children born to Elmer Rohr, a veteran of WW1, and Helen Lindberger. ... The Ohio Rohrs were farmers who carved their life out of the tough Ohio climate, a life that hammered my Dad into a tough, massive man at an early age.

During the Korean War, Dad joined the Navy. And while stationed in San Diego, Dad met a Mexican señorita through a Navy buddy who was my mom’s first cousin. Eight children were born of this union, starting with me.

It was not an easy life. One of my earliest memories of Dad is seeing him trudging into our flooded backyard in pouring rain with a bicycle on his shoulder. Dad couldn’t afford a car so he rode a bicycle to work, and that day his bike had a flat tire.

I never knew we were poor then. Mom and Dad never talked about it. They worked and worked and worked. Dad was a milkman, a paperboy, a lineman, a ditch digger, and finally a “rod buster” - the equivalent of a human mule who carries rebar on rough and bloodied shoulders down into a ditch or onto a bridge deck.

Today, most of the freeways in and around Los Angeles are stained with Dad’s blood and sweat — and pieces of his shoulders. 

In memory of Dad’s brother, Albert, who was killed in 1934 when he fell down the cellar stairway, Dad named his second son after him. Albert, my brother, was killed in 1989 when he fell down a different stairway in Irvine, California. Dad never got over it.

Martin Henry Rohr died in February 2014. He left his body to science and there is no grave to mourn at. I believe he wanted it that way. But I don’t need a grave to mourn at. I only need to look at your picture.

Requiem Aeternam (Eternal Rest), Dad.

Your firstborn, Tim 

HOW TO HANDLE FALSE ALLEGATIONS - PART 1

LINK to online version

On Father’s Day 2014, this paper ran a feature titled “The Ultimate Father.” The article was subtitled: “Tim Rohr knows the definition of the word ‘father’ very well. He is the father of 11 children.” The article featured a big picture of my wife and I with our 11 children.

Four years later, in May 2018, I was smeared for an entire week in local headlines as a wife beater and a sexual molester of my own children.

The allegations were false, and according to credible estimates, such allegations against men in particular are false 55% of the time. But I couldn’t rely on estimates. I had to prove those allegations false or lose everything.

So how does a husband and a father defend himself against those kinds of allegations coming from his own family? And just as important, how does a man, a husband and father, recover from the angst and despair wrought by such a malignant situation?

I’ve been hesitant over the years to share any of my personal story relative to this drama for two reasons: 1) I didn’t (and still don’t) want to hurt any of my children by dragging any of this into the present; and 2) I wanted (and still want) to leave my door open for reconciliation. So other than the foregoing, I will be reserved about further details.

However, because my aim in this series of columns is to give some hope to other husbands and fathers (and even wives and mothers), who may find themselves in similarly desperate straits, it is necessary to describe the “pit” I found myself in in 2018 so I can share how I clawed my way out of it, and how, if you find yourself in the same pit, you can too.

Why and how those things happened to me at that time is not unrelated to my role in exposing the largest clergy sex abuse conspiracy and scandal per capita in the whole Catholic world. In order for the “bad guys” to “save Apuron,” it was critical that I be “taken out” before Apuron was taken down.

But I digress. I’ll get to that story another time.

So back to the point: what to do if you find yourself falsely accused of abuse by your spouse or even your children - and I should add: formally accused in a legal proceeding.

I suppose there is no shortcut through the grief, so the first thing to do is to just suffer it. Your grief will probably go through the well-known Kubler-Ross pattern of denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance.

You don’t have to get to “acceptance” before taking the next step though. In fact, this pattern of grief can repeat many times. And there is never any predicting when that “jab of red-hot memory” - as C.S. Lewis described it - is going to erupt out of your heart and into your throat. So just accept it. Cry as much as you need.

Ultimately, though, especially if you find yourself in court, you must get your wits about you because it is very likely if you have been thus accused - falsely accused - that your accuser is hoping you will break before you can turn the tables. The idea is to accuse you of violence to make you react violently so your accuser can say “See, Your Honor. There he goes again!”

The next thing to do is get an attorney, especially if the other party has already initiated legal action. Due to court rules which set out timelines, you will need to immediately file whatever you need to file to initially protect yourself.

However, and this is a big “however,” do not - I repeat - do not leave it to your attorney to see to your interests. You must - I repeat - you must educate yourself as if you are your own attorney, at least on the procedural basics.

The failure of one of my attorneys (I had six - not including myself) to file a reply to the most damning of the allegations left the court no option but to take my children away from me - a situation that persisted for five terrible years and caused untold damage to those children.

The problem was that I didn’t even know - at the time - that I could have replied, and that had I replied, I might have put a quick end to that traumatic mess. But because I left my interests to “the professionals,” I lost my children.

More next time.

Note: For the readers of this blog, I share more details and resources at a link in the side bar: "Keep Breathing."

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    

TOO MANY OF US GAVE UP TOO MUCH TO JUST LOOK AWAY

By Tim Rohr

November 2, 2022. Bishop Ryan Jimenez of Chalan Kanoa, Saipan

joins an interview with Fr. Jason Granado about the work of the

Neocatechumenal Way in his then-diocese.

LINK

In DEJA VU, ALL OVER AGAIN, Frenchie refers to the documents prohibiting the formation of new Neocatechumenal Way communities - all of which are still in effect. For your reference, here are the documents with the relevant passages:

March 15, 2017, Prot. No. 2017-074, Archbishop Byrnes

"In the conversation with Pope Francis last October, he appealed to me in a particular way to do what I can to bring some healing to the divisions existing in the Archdiocese of Agana. While I have been on island only two months, hardly a day goes by when that same appeal comes to me from you. From listening to many of you I realize that a number of factors have contributed toward the divisions. I cannot deal with them all at once hence what I outline below represents a beginning…First of all, I have asked the lead catechists here in Guam to put a “pause” on the formation of new communities for a period of about a year.”

March 15, 2017, Prot. 2017-075, Archbishop Byrnes

"In the context of the pastoral charge entrusted me by the Holy Father, I present the following actions…First of all, I have asked the lead catechists here in Guam to put a “pause” on the formation of new communities for a period of about a year.”

NOTE: Because the original directive put the length of the pause "for about a year," the Neocats, specifically the Atienza's, took it upon themselves to lift the pause after "about a year," without consulting the archbishop, thus necessitating the next two documents:

August 18, 2021, Prot. No. 2021-064, Office of the Episcopal Vicar to Dr. Davide and Mrs. Maruxa Atienza

“It has come to the attention o the Archbishop the NCW has begun the work of pursuing the formation of new communities…In many of the meetings, the Archbishop has had with you, he has stressed his unwillingness to allow for new communities of the NCW to be formed. The pause dated March 15, 2017, he placed on the formation of new communities, remains in effect today.”

March, 27, 2023, MEMORANDUM, From Vicar General to Clergy, Religious, Neocatechumenal communities, School Administrators,Catholic groups and ministries

"On March 15 2017, Archbishop Michael Byrnes instructed the lead catechists of the Neocatechumenal Way in Guam to put a “pause” on the formation of new communities…let it be clear that the moratorium on the formation of new communities of the Neocatechumenal Way remains in effect unless otherwise instructed. All must abide by the directive.”

THERE HAVE BEEN NO OTHER DIRECTIVES, THUS THE PAUSE REMAINS IN PLACE. Nevertheless, the NCW continues to recruit local parishioners and even some pastors.

The real issue

Recently Anonymous left this comment: "What is your problem with the NCW? Pure hate against the fruits of the Holy Spirit."

Another Anonymous answered: "Liturgical abuse, doctrinal deformations, a parallel and superseding heirarchy of catechists, fraudulent convenance of Archdiocesan property, cult-like manipulation during the Scrutinies...just to get started."

While all of the above reasons are glaringly valid, the real issue is absolute and persistent "disobedience" to proper Catholic Church authorities as evidenced by the foregoing. However, I put "disobedience" in quotes because it's actually not disobedience. How is that?

The real issue is that the NCW does not recognize legitimate Catholic Church authority which is the clearest evidence that the NCW is in fact not Catholic but a parallel church with its own magisterium and authority, and to which it is singularly obedient. This is why it has been called out as a heresy by those courageous enough to do it. 

SEE: BISHOP ATHANASIUS SCHNEIDER: THE DOCTRINE OF KIKO ARGUELLO IS HERESY...A GRAVE ABUSE

Thus this is the litmus test for Archbishop Jimenez. If he doesn't handle this and handle it quickly, he will lose all authority and the archdiocese he now shepherds will descend into even deeper chaos than when he was appointed to it. 

It will be difficult for Jimenez. There is credible speculation that his rise from Filipino contract worker to the office of Bishop in Saipan was due in large part to the same forces that invaded Guam and protected Apuron. The idea was always for Saipan to be a fallback should Guam fail. 

At this point, we have only credible speculation that Jimenez owes his rise to the Neocrats (notice "Neocrats" v Neocats - emphasizing the Neocat brass), and we don't intend to investigate because we won't have to. Jimenez' action or inaction, and in very short order, will tell us who he is. 

Too many of us gave up too much to just look away.

DEJA VU, ALL OVER AGAIN

 Posted by Frenchie

For more than 3 decades the Neocatechumenal way, through its leaders, starting with Carmen and Kiko, soon to be coopted by the Genarrini brothers repeated ad nauseum that the Popes had endorsed their Sect within the Catholic Church.

Short of real endorsement they made claims over and over again that the Pope was supporting their gnostic movement despite evidence to the contrary. Many gullible people unfortunately fell for the con job and apparently continue to do so.

Here on this blog, and on many others who are aware of the Neos bait and switch tactics, people have laid bare the lies and the fake endorsements. This started with Pope John Paul II who in his zeal to endorse any movement related to the new evangelization, that was so dear to his heart, fell prey to their religious Ponzi scheme. Kiko and Carmen were relentless in getting photo ops and conferences where the Pope was present, in order to claim that his presence which they seeked at every turn, was in fact an endorsement.

It is also during John Paul II pontificate that the Neos, then in full expansion, were able to get permission to start their biggest bait and switch ever: the Redemptoris Seminaries. We on Guam were at the forefront of that money laundering system. While the efforts of several hundred faithful on our island led to the closing of said "seminary" and the uncovering of the many misdeeds of disgraced former Archbishop Apuron, despite the protection of Cardinal Filoni (aka the red Pope), the Neos never relented.

After Archbishop Hon discoveries, and his ultimate eye opening, we were granted a co Adjutor in the person of Archbishop Byrnes (who sadly left this world, after a long catastrophic illness, last week). It is to be noted that throughout his first years here, the Neos through their presbyters failed by design to recognize him as their Bishop, claiming Apuron was still their Boss despite the finding of the Vatican court and the ultimate confirmation of that Judgement by Pope Francis. Until finally Archbishop Byrnes was confirmed fully as Archbishop of Agana.

Following the decision by Archbishop Byrnes, which is still standing, to put the movement on strict restrictions in our Archdiocese, they went on acquiring a center in Asan, where they continue their separate services in total contradiction with the edict. Of course, this was allowed thanks to the lengthy illness of Archbishop Byrnes and the subsequent vacuum of power at the head of our Archdiocese, with the discreet approval of corrupt clergy members. But even as recently as this past Easter celebrations, the Chancery had given strict instructions to all Neo Presbyters to not celebrate the Easter Vigil Mass before 7.00pm. Guess what?... All parishes with Neo pastors celebrated the Easter Vigil as early as 5.00pm, in order to meet for their separate celebration of Easter at their own "center" in total and overt disobedience of Archbishop Jimenez decision.

It is obviously clear to all, but the blind and the stupid that the Way and its leaders on Island have absolutely no intention to follow the instructions of both Archbishop Byrnes, and Archbishop Jimenez.

While the Neos were checked by Pope Benedict after they tried to trick him to sign their so-called Statutes in 2012, (which they had claimed were authorized in 2008) during their yearly meeting with the Pope, in the audience hall of the Vatican, with thousands of Neos from around the world in attendance (one of these mega events they cherish, as a show of force). Unfortunately for Kiko and Carmen, Cardinal Arinze just prior to the Pope's signature uncovered the many irregularities, in the document prepared for approval, that were in contradiction with the 5 years of hard work his dicastery had done. The main effort was to try to reconcile the 13 volumes of the Catechism used by the Neocatechumenal Way, which needed numerous corrections and about 2000 references to parallel passages of the official Catechism of the Catholic Church. The Document was also supposed to give Special approval of the Neos most visible, controversial and distinctive ways of celebrating the Mass, which was not at all intended by the Vatican.

These four elements are very important if you wish to understand the heretical approach of the NCW.

• 1)Masses are celebrated in small groups corresponding to the different stages of advancement on the Catechetical journey. If in a parish for example there are 12 Neo communities, each at a different stage. There will be 12 Masses celebrated in separate places more or less at the same time, preferably on Saturday evening.
• 2) The surroundings and furnishings trace out the image of a banquet: a table with the participants seated around it. Even when the Neocatechumenals celebrate the Mass not in a parish hall, but in a church, they ignore the Altar. They put a table in the middle and seat around in a circle.
• 3) Each Biblical readings of the Mass are preceded by an extensive "monition" on the part of one or the other of the catechists who lead the community, and is followed especially after the Gospel, by "resonances" or personal reflections by a substantial number of those present. The priest's homily is added to the "resonances" without being distinguished from them.
• 4) Communion also takes place in a banquet form. The consecrated bred- a large unleavened loaf, 2/3 white flour and 1/3 whole wheat flour, prepared and baked according to detailed rules established by Kiko- is broken and distributed to those present, who remain in their places. After the distribution, it is eaten at the same time by all, including the presbyter. After that the priest goes from one person to the next with the Chalice of consecrated wine, which everyone drinks.

While there are many other peculiarities, these four are enough to understand how different in form and substance these "Masses" are from those celebrated according to the Catholic general liturgical rules.

This having been reestablished for the benefit of new readers, or simply those who have forgotten after 10 years of the Neos hiding in the shadows. Let's look at some of the latest events regarding the NCW on Guam, their strawmen and their strategy for a comeback.

Since the approved resignation of Archbishop Byrnes for health reasons, The NCW on Guam has had two approaches.

1. Ignoring the restrictions imposed by Byrnes, regarding new communities and meetings, yet not flaunting it, to avoid obvious questions from the rest of the faithful. In a way: passive resistance and continued progression, but undercover.
2. Engage in a campaign of reconstruction of their image for the general public, but also by wooing members of the clergy who for one reason or the other might feel overlooked or threatened by a possible new administration.

This pincer approach had several advantages. Strengthening their fragilized position, buying time to regroup, continue a discreet proselytization within the parishes. Put in place new figure heads that would appear more friendly and less threatening (a softer approach.) Gain new unsuspecting allies. Reassure the hardcore members that there is light at the end of the tunnel.

This was facilitated by the fact that the delegate to the NCW, deacon Martinez was feeling abandoned by his hierarchy and ended having health issues, which greatly curtailed his duties. This in turn allowed the NCW to take a lot of liberties at their new center in Asan, knowing full well there would be no reckoning, as well as creating a climate of arrogance and defiance on the part of the most vocal presbyters.

Upon the arrival of Archbishop Jimenez on August 15th, 2024, the local NCW and their handlers in New Jersey, had reasons to be optimistic. As the Bishop of Chalan Kanoa, Ryan Jimenez had a fairly amiable relation with the Neos on Saipan. While the Neos in the Northern Marianas are fairly active and have had a successful growth, without raising eyebrows, as they had originally done when they first landed in Guam in the 90s. Their history in Guam had revealed a very different and not so pleasant experience, and our new Archbishop found a very different and much more complex situation in his new Diocese. Scars were still very fresh, the damage done over 30 years of liturgical colonization by the hordes of Kiko and Carmen, under the leadership of the Putrid Pius could not be erased that easily. 

Yet, true to their form, the Neos kept pushing forward for a new reset. One of their charmers, the very dangerous Fr Prieto, was able to charm his ways into the immediate surrounding of the Archbishop who was very unaware of the potential of Boboboy. In the past Harold had been extremely successful in getting close to some of our weakest, and/or compromised priests to carry favors or exert influence through compromission.  Harold was also very successful in using his charms to sway the mind of some of our local social media mud rackers. In particular he somewhat won over the attention of Kandit News. He also was able to insert himself into the Right for life group in order to gain respectability.

None the less, the different personalities who had led the struggle against the NCW, took the time to share their concerns with our new leader. By the same token Dr Atienza and his spouse also got an opportunity to give their version of the situation. I think we can be reassured that the Archbishop is a lot less naive about the real situation of the Church in his Archdiocese and more realistic about the challenges facing him and our Church...

The NCW and their communication network.

Over the years, we have learned about the NCW communications, by trials and errors, not knowing how widespread and devious it could be

The communication is very well oiled and starts at the level of the communities. As soon as one decides to join an NCW community, this person will very slowly at first and then increasingly be exposed to one-on-one communication that follows extremely closely the so called NCW Catechism. People are paired with others in a loose but very intricate network of cohorts that follow to the letter their catechist, discuss themes and are encouraged at every step to reflect. Every outside situation is then explained through the prism of the NCW, through teaching and conversations. The role of the local responsible is extremely important in analyzing and identifying issues with the person and the group. Every outside situation is explained through that prism. People are given the why, the how and because.

This is all build around the community, the bond and dependency of the individual to the group is essential and ultimately gets very strong.

The next step is the communication with the outside. The projection of the image wanted to the outside world. There are several levels to this dimension. It is all related on how both Kiko and Carmen started their movement. Most of the wording, approach to the rationale is built around the image they decided to project.

One of the key pieces of that game on Guam is May Llanes aka Diana, who is the main actor of a local blog called "Neocatechumenal Way- An insider's view", which is picked up throughout the Neo blogosphere. Diana pushes forward the Neo narrative of the moment. Last month it was to rekindle the Apuron was a victim charade, meant to refurbish the image of the serial sexual abuser. Tim wrote extensively about that latest mental diarrhea, which was just the warming up of a 10-year-old tale.

But on the first week of June Diana was finally back flirting with her glory days, picking up one of the best Neo propaganda pieces of recent years, at least in Guam.

All local media from KUAM, the PDN, the Post, but also radio shows like the Ray Gibson Show, or Patti Arroyo (the niece of Msg Bibi) ran without checking with the story of newly minted Chamorro Priest in Rome, Fr Cody Merfalen, incardinated by the "1st American Pope"

Apparently, the story was leaked through some West Virginia paper, by the neo middlemen and picked up in unison by our local media, proud of the connection. Few of course understood that they were hoodwinked by the Neo Propaganda machine. The Vicar General on the Ray Gibson show, smelling a rat, was able to diplomatically skirt the issue and redirect the conversation. While the Archbishop on Patti Arroyo's show appeared lost for words. Later the chancery graced us with a general communique, but the Neos had their earned media hour, which was underlined by the Diana, Zenit News, and la Stampa all affiliated with Kiko and his ilk

. 

This was a typical Neo operation. Take a somewhat mundane issue: the incardination of 10 new priest in the Diocese of Rome, by its newly minted new Bishop (Leo XIV), and press the story like a lemon to get the most coverage possible. Which is exactly what they did.  Two weeks after the story of Apuron's victims dropping their civil suit, for the Neos it is like manna from the sky. And cherry on the cake to top it all, while the Pope celebrated all the communities falling under the "new evangelization" he granted an audience to Kiko, who was so elated he played his guitar for hours on end.

Diana could not be more pleased.

Of course the NCW will continue to publicize their mega meeting by region, or in Rome and Domus Galilae in Israel. 

Life goes on. The Neos will stick to their rehearsed mantra:

The Pope loves us.

We were sent by the Pope

Who are you to doubt the Pope?

Meanwhile it is rumored that Fr Merfalen is planning to visit the communities in late August, early September. Msg David Quitagua (the tall) has been spotted at the Airport, apparently bringing good news to Atienza, Eusebio and Jackie Terlaje from the East Coast where he is sheltered right now. It also has been revealed that since Krystoff has left for school, the NCW is lacking meeting areas for their growing communities, and that they are actively looking for new locations for their nonprofit located in Hawaii, with their tried-and-true approach of leasing with an option to buy. The black bags have been circulating relentlessly, and they are eyeing for property on the cheap, maybe even church property. This is something we warned they would do back in 2020.

As the old adage reminds us, the devil never sleeps.

KIKO IS WASTING NO TIME