My thoughts exactly. WTH is "Team Ministry?" Sounds like a some sort of born-again church thing. And why are there no pastors? Pastors create stability in a parish. Something that is very important. Does Jimenez want to perpetuate instability? Seems so.
A friend pointed out that "team ministry" is actually a new post-Vatican 2 concoction established to address the so-called priest shortage, wherein a group of priests, under a "moderator" "minister" to a parish or multiple parishes. The "team" thing is understandable in the context of multiple parishes, but hardly seems legit when it is just one parish - as the appointment in Dededo appears to be. In the Dededo case, it appears to be a move to maintain a division of power. If this is the model that Jimenez wants to promote, then why not at all the parishes? Why only Dededo? I know the answer, but I won't be saying it here. You can figure it out.
And what about this Krzysztof "study leave?" Where is he studying and why? Aren't we paying for it? If so, then we should know. Krzysztof is a neocat. He's the 3rd Neocat to have "study leave." The other two sucked up our money, got their advanced degrees, and then never came back to Guam.
The Neocats are probably paying Krzysztof's education, but that doesn't leave Jimenez off the hook. We paid tens of thousands of dollars to put him through the so-called seminary here in Guam. Krzysztof's first duty is to Guam.
And no word yet from Jimenez about all the missing priests still incardinated in this archdiocese: Msgr David C, Fr Julius, Fr Pedro, and Fr Luis Camacho?
What exactly is “Team Ministry” and “Team Moderator” supposed to mean? Throwing two strong priests into Dededo isn’t leadership, it’s just setting the stage for conflict. Meanwhile, plenty of parishes have been stuck with poorly trained Neo priests for years, yet they’re still being left to run parishes on their own.
Let’s be honest, Msgr. James has influence, and the Archbishop can’t handle it. This feels less like pastoral planning and more like a power move, his way of saying “I’m the boss.” And still no pastors being appointed. The Archbishop’s been assigned to Guam for a year now, but how much of that time has he actually spent here instead of hopping on flights?
It seems that the archbishop is deliberately not appointing pastors--only parochial administrators, who serve at the will and whim of the archbishop, unlike pastors who have canonical due process protection. His message: obey me blindly and be blindly loyal, or off you go. Fear is his main management tool.
Jimenez's handling of the mysterious circumstances of Fr. Nino's untimely death, his silence to the NCW's workings here and complicity to the scandal at Bishop Baumgartner, and now a questionable reshuffling of parishes not listed in the previous aviso (honorable mention: a growing closeness with Fr. Harold). It is all starting to click now, I reckon.
There should be a Chamorro assigned to the cathedral and in the top position. Otherwise, it looks like our Church is becoming a branch of the Philippines.
Yes, it is rather strange to me that Msgr. Benavente is assigned to Dededo, of course, not knowing what team ministry is all about. Nothing against Fr. Will, a faithful priest, but Msgr. Benavente holds seniority at the Cathedral.
Most of these priests were just placed at their respective parishes…some are just now getting to know their parishioners only to be moved. Reminder: Stability in leadership is vital to fostering community and trust. These frequent transitions can weaken the continuity of pastoral care and parish life. Be considerate to the impact of short assignments on the spiritual and emotional well-being of parishioners!
Confused. Any clues as to what "Team Ministry" is supposed to mean as an official assignment title for a priest?
ReplyDeleteMy thoughts exactly. WTH is "Team Ministry?" Sounds like a some sort of born-again church thing. And why are there no pastors? Pastors create stability in a parish. Something that is very important. Does Jimenez want to perpetuate instability? Seems so.
DeleteA friend pointed out that "team ministry" is actually a new post-Vatican 2 concoction established to address the so-called priest shortage, wherein a group of priests, under a "moderator" "minister" to a parish or multiple parishes. The "team" thing is understandable in the context of multiple parishes, but hardly seems legit when it is just one parish - as the appointment in Dededo appears to be. In the Dededo case, it appears to be a move to maintain a division of power. If this is the model that Jimenez wants to promote, then why not at all the parishes? Why only Dededo? I know the answer, but I won't be saying it here. You can figure it out.
DeleteAnd what about this Krzysztof "study leave?" Where is he studying and why? Aren't we paying for it? If so, then we should know. Krzysztof is a neocat. He's the 3rd Neocat to have "study leave." The other two sucked up our money, got their advanced degrees, and then never came back to Guam.
ReplyDeleteThe Neocats are probably paying Krzysztof's education, but that doesn't leave Jimenez off the hook. We paid tens of thousands of dollars to put him through the so-called seminary here in Guam. Krzysztof's first duty is to Guam.
DeleteAnd no word yet from Jimenez about all the missing priests still incardinated in this archdiocese: Msgr David C, Fr Julius, Fr Pedro, and Fr Luis Camacho?
ReplyDeleteWhat exactly is “Team Ministry” and “Team Moderator” supposed to mean? Throwing two strong priests into Dededo isn’t leadership, it’s just setting the stage for conflict. Meanwhile, plenty of parishes have been stuck with poorly trained Neo priests for years, yet they’re still being left to run parishes on their own.
ReplyDeleteLet’s be honest, Msgr. James has influence, and the Archbishop can’t handle it. This feels less like pastoral planning and more like a power move, his way of saying “I’m the boss.” And still no pastors being appointed. The Archbishop’s been assigned to Guam for a year now, but how much of that time has he actually spent here instead of hopping on flights?
It seems that the archbishop is deliberately not appointing pastors--only parochial administrators, who serve at the will and whim of the archbishop, unlike pastors who have canonical due process protection. His message: obey me blindly and be blindly loyal, or off you go. Fear is his main management tool.
ReplyDeleteJimenez's handling of the mysterious circumstances of Fr. Nino's untimely death, his silence to the NCW's workings here and complicity to the scandal at Bishop Baumgartner, and now a questionable reshuffling of parishes not listed in the previous aviso (honorable mention: a growing closeness with Fr. Harold). It is all starting to click now, I reckon.
ReplyDeleteHere we go again! Starting to look like we are heading toward another division!
ReplyDeleteThere should be a Chamorro assigned to the cathedral and in the top position. Otherwise, it looks like our Church is becoming a branch of the Philippines.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is rather strange to me that Msgr. Benavente is assigned to Dededo, of course, not knowing what team ministry is all about. Nothing against Fr. Will, a faithful priest, but Msgr. Benavente holds seniority at the Cathedral.
DeleteMost of these priests were just placed at their respective parishes…some are just now getting to know their parishioners only to be moved. Reminder: Stability in leadership is vital to fostering community and trust. These frequent transitions can weaken the continuity of pastoral care and parish life. Be considerate to the impact of short assignments on the spiritual and emotional well-being of parishioners!
ReplyDelete