THIS IS GETTING WEIRDER AND WEIRDER

By Tim Rohr

This is getting weirder and weirder. Following is a copy of a post on the Archdiocese of Agana Facebook page (highlight added):

Planned drive past parishes with Fr. Mike's casket adjusted, shortened

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Regarding the driving of Father Mike Crisostomo's casket past island parishes on Thursday, Jan. 15, the family has advised the Archdiocese of Agaña that in consideration for the body of dear Palé, the schedule will not permit driving past all parishes.

The family has instead coordinated with Ada's Mortuary on a shortened schedule that will primarily only include parishes where Palé Mike was assigned and where he celebrated his first Mass for instance. The archdiocese is not coordinating the schedule or this part of activities honoring the beloved priest.

The family appreciates everyone's love for Palé Mike and asks for your understanding.

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Relayed by the Archdiocese of Agaña Office of Communications

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Again, as we have been seeing and hearing since the news of Fr. Mike's demise, the "archdiocese" continues to go strangely out of "its" way to distance "itself" from Fr. Mike's death. Even if the family is coordinating the so-called drive-by, why is it necessary for the "archdiocese" to emphasize that "it" is not.

It's not necessary, unless of course, "they" have a reason. And what would be that reason? 

By the way, all of the above words in "quotes" are in quotes because there is no such person as the "Archdiocese of Agana." There is only the Archbishop of Agana, and for some reason he refuses to put his name on the most serious of announcements (most recently those announcements related to Fr. Luis Camacho and now, Fr. Mike). 

How hard would it have been to have worded the above announcement: "...the family has advised Archbishop Jimenez..." And how much more personal and compassionate would it have been to end this announcement with the archbishop's signature under the final words of this announcement: "The family appreciates everyone's love for Palé Mike and asks for your understanding." 

Instead we get an impersonal: "Relayed by the Archdiocese of Agaña Office of Communications."

Another very strange thing is the "for instance" in the following sentence:

"...a shortened schedule that will primarily only include parishes where Palé Mike was assigned and where he celebrated his first Mass for instance."

Huh...? For instance? Really?

The archbishop doth protest too much, methinks.