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.