By Tim Rohr
At 23:00 in this video, Archbishop Jimenez begins his homily. After a few minutes, he begins to describe what happened to Fr. Mike. The Mass took place on January 2, 2026, the day Fr. Mike died.
Archbishop Jimenez describes Fr. Mike's arrival at the clergy Christmas party "last Tuesday,"which would have been December 30, 2025. The party was at the social hall in Maina. Jimenez says that Fr. Mike left the party early and then sent him a text saying that he wasn't feeling well.
The next day, December 31, 2025, Jimenez published the News Release advising that Fr. Mike had been hospitalized that morning.
This is relevant given that a certain "Anonymous" appears to be adamant in inferring that Fr. Mike, after being assigned to St. Joseph in Inarajan, continued to reside at St. Anthony's, and thus experienced no particular hardship in accessing medical care:
AnonymousJanuary 3, 2026 at 6:05 PMPale' Mike was still living at the St. Anthony rectory.
"Antonio" attempted to clarify:
AntonioJanuary 3, 2026 at 8:25 PMThis was only the case for the first few weeks after the reshuffling of priests, as his soon-to-be living space in Inarajan was still being prepared. Later on, yes, he would occasionally stop by St. Anthony Church and even stay for brief periods there whenever he was asked to either cover masses or undergo grueling dialysis treatment.
However, Anonymous insisted:
AnonymousJanuary 4, 2026 at 1:14 PMHe lived at St Anthony rectory, which can house 8 priests. He was stricken in his bedroom there. Fact.
Anonymous appears to be a member of the clergy who had no "love" for Fr. Mike, or at least someone close to a member of the clergy who is vested in running interference for the reason Fr. Mike was assigned to a parish the furthest away from the critical medical care he needed.
From how Archbishop Jimenez describes it, it appears that Fr. Mike, upon leaving the Christmas party on December 30, knew he wouldn't make it to Inarajan and decided to stay the night at St. Anthony, which is why he "was stricken in his bedroom there," as Anonymous reports.
Fr. Mike (FM) shared the conversation he had with the Archbishop (AB) and Fr. Paul, the Vicar General (VG), regarding his reassignment to Inarajan. He did not keep the context of that meeting private; instead, he shared it with many others.
ReplyDeleteFM was called in and informed that he was being assigned to Inarajan. This occurred at the same time that Msgr. James and Fr. Karl were also informed of their new assignments. The reason given was that they were the only ones who did not take part in the reassignment “shuffle.”
What AB and the VG failed to understand—or chose not to understand—was that all three priests had exercised their right to invoke the second of their two-term assignments at their current parishes. This option was explicitly permitted and had already been approved by the then Apostolic Administrator, now Bishop of Chalan Kanoa, Romy Convocar. AB refused to honor that approval. Instead, he insisted that all three priests be reassigned, with particular insistence on the reassignment of the Chamorro priests.
AB appeared more concerned with the dissatisfaction of certain Filipino priests who had been reassigned and were upset and vocal under the new Filipino AB, particularly in relation to the three priests who were not part of the shuffle. Rather than seeking to understand the reasons behind the decision of the three priests to remain for a second term, AB’s priority seemed to be appeasing those who were displeased.
CONTINUED...
If Jimenez really did show genuine concern for Fr. Mike and yet is still insistent in reassigning those 3 priests (even disregarding these priests' pre-approved rights), he should've simply swapped parishes between Fr. Karl and Fr. Mike. Considering Fr. Mike's health concerns, there is a dialysis center in Sinajana, just a short drive away from the Chalan Pago parish. Keep Msgr. James as rector of the cathedral, and perhaps send Fr. Jonathan down south. From there, since Santa Barbara is lacking a parochial vicar, Jimenez can request the assistance of the Capuchin priests for the multiple masses the large parish offers.
DeleteCONTINUED...
ReplyDeleteFM appealed to AB and the VG, stating that he did not oppose reassignment but requested to be assigned to a parish closer to his dialysis center. AB’s response was, “There are dialysis patients from Inarajan, and if they can do it, so can you.”
AB further stated that his mother is also undergoing dialysis in the Philippines and that he therefore understood what FM was going through.
FM appealed again, explaining that his dialysis treatments are at 5:00 a.m. on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, requiring him to wake as early as 4:00 a.m. to travel to the treatment center in East Hagåtña. AB’s response was, “You can always change your appointment time.” The VG did not intervene or stand up in defense of FM’s health concerns.
FM also shared with AB and the VG that he was considering going off-island to be placed on a waiting list for a donor kidney. To do so, he would need to relocate off-island and remain ready should a donor become available. AB’s response was, “We can discuss this later.” FM perceived that AB was less concerned about his health and more focused on filling the vacancy in Inarajan. Despite these serious concerns, FM’s reassignment took effect, and he accepted the parish in Inarajan.
CONTINUED...
CONTINUED...
ReplyDeleteIronically, Fr. Mike—despite his repeated pleas and significant health issues—was assigned to Inarajan, and his request to be closer to his dialysis center was ignored. At the same time, Fr. Paul was assigned to a parish closer to AB, as Inarajan was deemed too far for the VG.
As recently as a few weeks ago, while attending a function, AB pulled FM aside—reflective of his style of governance, which avoids calling formal meetings to discuss important pastoral and personal matters as a good father would. Instead, he chose to address the issue informally, seeking to “get it out of the way” and avoid what he perceived as an unnecessary meeting. During this exchange, AB asked FM whether he still planned to go off-island to be placed on the transplant waiting list. FM responded that he had raised this concern prior to accepting the assignment. However, now that he is embedded in the parish, has come to know the parishioners, and has begun parish projects, it would be very difficult for him to leave. According to FM, this was precisely the situation he had hoped to avoid, but his concerns were not heeded.
FM felt that AB’s inquiry was more an attempt to save face than an expression of genuine concern. Had AB and the VG truly been concerned, FM believes they would have assigned him to a parish closer to his dialysis center.
AB has failed to treat his priests as sons. He governs by ruling and dictating over their lives, often keeping his own interests foremost. The faithful from the CNMI have cautioned their brothers and sisters in Guam that AB is vindictive and does not tolerate being challenged. This perception is reinforced by AB’s own remarks to the clergy at one of their meetings, during which he stated that he has the right to discipline any priest he chooses. His harshness toward local priests and local Chamorros is viewed by many as reflective of his earlier years as a migrant worker in the CNMI, where he lived under the authority of others. Now vested with power, the former H-2 worker is perceived as exercising authority over those who once held authority over him. He has frequently referenced his status as a “migrant worker” in his homilies, a narrative that some interpret as a pointed rebuke toward those who now fall under his governance. He acts hastily, as seen also in the Luis Camacho case. Additionally, he appears to favor Filipino priests, surrounding himself with them, while removing local Chamorro priests from the Chancery, with the exception of the VG, a Chamorro and seminary classmate.
Historically, from the time of Bishop Baumgartner, the rector of the Cathedral has always been a Chamorro, the first being Monsignor Felixberto Flores. Instead of appointing another capable Chamorro priest, AB assigned one of the youngest priests as rector. It is rumored that this decision is tied to a large sum of money bequeathed to the Cathedral.
To be clear, Jimenez did not cause Pale Mike's death; to be equally clear, he hasten it, and not only hasten it, but made his last days on earth agonizing, difficult, and brutal. The fact that he had to stop at St. Anthony--or any other place for that matter--is telling, and should have convince any reasonable person that his new assignment was inimical to his health. Antonio's posts confirms that very inference.
ReplyDeleteKnowing Fr. Mike was getting dialysis treatment, I was surprised he was assigned to St. Joseph parish a nice serene parish. A nice parish assignment on your way to retirement. Everyone knew Fr. Mike needed dialysis treatment every week. It didn't make sense to send him that far away from his treatment center. Didn't the Archbishop realize that such an assignment would raise questions about this assignment?
ReplyDeleteGranted, Fr. Mike just needed to head out of Inarajan to his dialysis appointments probably an hour earlier than when he was at St. Anthony's. The issue is not being close or far from his dialysis treatment. The issue is taking care of your priests' who need healthcare to fulfill their ministry helping the people of the Archdiocese of Agana. Fr. Mike, in my opinion, should have been given the best care to take care of his health. The Archdiocese should have checked if he could be sent to a Diocese in California or Arizona (where specialty doctors and healthcare facilities are abundant) to stay undergoing dialysis treatment while waiting for a kidney transplant. If Our Lord called Fr. Mike to his reward, even if he was getting the best care and treatment at a top notch dialysis and renal care center in the US, all would be calm. But whoever made this decision to send him to a distant parish from the most basic care he could receive for his health condition in Guam, and now this decision is highlighted by his death, and a Pandora's box of questions has been opened with questions of why was Fr. Mike not helped by his Shepherd and his superiors?
Nothing easy about taking over a new parish when you have to deal with new parishioners and new things. It's like starting over again, and in his frail and fragile condition, it would have been too much of a responsibility and burden to carry. Even worse, the former pastor left Inarajan in shambles. A lot of fixing up and repairs to do. Pale Mike even asked other priests for help.
Delete