WE'LL GET TO YOU SOON

Dear Holy Father, et. al.,

I'm just wondering if the Visitators you sent here last January had a chance to look into the issue of the local abuse of annulments. 

DEAR ARCHBISHOP SAVIO HON TAI-FAI. MISSON FAIL.

Apuron sneaks out the back door
in order to avoid Catholics praying
the rosary in the front. 

Dear Archbishop Savio Hon Tai-Fai,

It appears your trip here to promote reconciliation has been to no effect. As expected Archbishop Apuron is continuing his campaign to publicly trash a priest-son, Msgr. James Benavente. As expected, Archbishop Apuron, has compiled a new list of trash against Msgr. James and is circulating it amongst his neo-friends. 

Dear Archbishop Savio, what sort of a bishop is Apuron? 

What sort of a father prefers to publicly trash a son? Regardless of the charges, and they are all the same charges that have already been publicly discredited, just with new numbers, why isn't Archbishop Apuron dealing with his issues with Msgr. James in private? 

Why is Archbishop Apuron bent on scandalizing, discrediting, and publicly trashing a priest-son? Does he not know that this not only hurts Msgr. James but the WHOLE CHURCH? What father publicly humiliates his son...and with glee? 

But here's the kicker, Archbishop Savio. Whatever mishandling of monies Msgr. James may or may not be responsible for, NOTHING, absolutely NOTHING  compares with Archbishop Apuron's mega-million dollar property scam and the even bigger scam of its cover up and his spitting upon the former president of the AFC.

OUR AGENTS WERE THERE TOO

So we can now piece things together. We were suspicious of everything from the beginning. 

• AAA's unannounced visit to the pope on Nov. 21. 
• The "surprise" announcement that we would be paid a visit from Rome only three weeks later. The chancery's "very happy" framing of the visit. 
• The surprise AAA was obviously not expecting when he went to greet the visitors and met three of our own government officials already there awaiting the visitors as well. 
• The absolute stacking of pro-Neo or pro-Apuron people for all the appointment slots (which is why they wanted to keep the schedule from us and why AAA went nuts when he found out that we had a copy of the schedule - blaming everyone from people inside the chancery to the visitors themselves.)

PAGE 2

It is both sadly and terribly evident by what was on the front page of the U Matuna yesterday, that our church leaders either have NO intention of reconciling or that they are completely, utterly, and hopelessly inept, or worse, simply being clandestinely managed by someone else. 

How to make sense of all the talk about reconciliation and peace in the context of the apostolic visit. and then to print, on the same page, that discredited defense of the seminary, when in fact, the debate over the seminary is one of the central issues that precipitated the visit in the first place?

Even if it wasn't chock full of demonstrable misleading statements, why, given that the visitors were even still here when it was released, why even print this?

Archbishop Apuron must always be held responsible for whatever is officially printed or said in the name of the archdiocese. But I think in this case, the real culprit is someone else. And her name is listed on page 2.

KIKO'S FATAL ERROR

Many have expressed the sentiment contained in the following comment:

1. 
   

   
   

   
   AnonymousJanuary 11, 2015 at 10:02 PM

   And so it is clear that the chancery is entrenched in this message and is prepared to play this charade no matter the evidence presented. The fact is the assignment has been executed and recorded already. What options, if any, does the Catholic community have now to undo the damage? If it will require a civil suit, then where do we begin? If title belongs the archdiocese and the archdiocese is a corporation sole, then presumably no other person or entity has standing to bring suit or demonstrate tort. Not a lawyer but logic follows that as an individual, I can assign or sell or deed property that I own without restriction. You can't sue me for selling my property just because you don't like the buyer...can you?
   
   Not trying to be a nay sayer but if something can be done, can someone who knows about these issues recommend the proper course of action? My gut feeling is that if something can be done, some kind of technical restraining order should be requested immediately. This rhetoric from the chancery seems like a bid to buy time. If Apuron's already in hot water with Rome, what's to stop him from executing a deed of conveyance to the RMS before he's replaced? Or is this already a lost cause?

What can we do? What can we do? In fact, these are questions I have been hearing for more than two decades. Archbishop Apuron has always appeared to be untouchable, even by Rome. 

SETTING THE RECORD STRAIGHT. REALLY STRAIGHT.

Note: In the spirit of the recent Apostolic Visit and the pursuit of "reconciliation" I am not going to use the words lie or liar. I will simply present the facts.

In today's U Matuna, with the Apostolic Visit hardly over, the chancery has set forth a front page article entitled "Setting the record straight: Redemptoris Mater Seminary." The article reprints the chancery's responses to questions posed by KUAM news. The questions were initiated over the recent discovery of a Deed Restriction and a DECREE OF DESIGNATION, restricting the the use of the former Accion Hotel property solely for the "perpetual use" by RMS.

Let us review each question and answer in detail:

1. Is it true the Archbishop Apuron made a declaration of deed for the Redemptoris Mater Seminary against the advice of the Finance Council in 2011? 

ANSWER. No, things are the other way around. The previous Archdiocesan Finance Council wanted to alienate the property where the Seminary and the Blessed Diego Luis de San Vitores Catholic Theological Institute are hosted. The Finance Council at that time in fact had the intention to sell the property to cover the debt incurred by the Cathedral and the Catholic Cemeteries.

BECAUSE GIUSEPPE SAID

I don't know exactly how this will play out, but given the absence of an immediately condemnable crime, Archbishop Apuron will probably be given a list of things to do to show good faith on his part for an attempt at reconciliation - as the Apostolic Visit was said to have as its objective.

My guess is that there will be an attempt at making up with the lesser level "offenders", e.g. Fr. Efren, Deacon Steve, etc., but we probably won't see any attempt at reconciliation with Fr. Paul or Msgr. James. 

That's too bad. Anything less than restoring Fr. Paul and Msgr. James to their positions constitutes a reconciliation charade. 

Here's why.

A COURSE OF ACTION...YOURS!

I cannot tell you what was discussed at my meeting with the Vatican Visitors without compromising their course of action. But I can tell you that there will be a course of action. Frenchie pretty much outlines it in the following comment:

IT'S NOT A HAPPY TIME

Today's prayer event at the clergy meeting at St. Anthony's church.

UPDATE ON PRAYERS AT THE SPIRITUAL CENTER

A group of laity met today at St. Anthony Church to pray during the clergy meeting with the apostolic visitors in the Spiritual Center. Here's what happened at the end. 

Received this from an attendee:

UNBELIEVABLE! To avoid the group gathered outside the St. Anthony Spiritual Center, they had the delegates leave by an alternate route. We've been prayerful and respectful. Btw - if you go to Dwayne Santos's FB page, you'll see AAA running out the back door. In a previous comment, we were so scary with our umbrellas and rosaries. WHY are they going to such lengths to avoid us? 

WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE NEOCATECHUMENAL WAY?

Answer: Prior to June 2008, many things. After June 2008, nothing.

Why June 2008?

In June 2008, the Statute of the Neocatechumenal Way (NCW) received final approval. 

The Statute of the NCW is its charter, it's "birth certificate". Like any legally constituted association, that association only legitimately exists when it is in compliance with its charter. Outside the charter, it ceases to exist, either ipso facto or or by a formal sentence.

Prior to to the promulgation of its final charter, the NCW, like many associations within the church, operated at will and with the permission of this or that bishop or pastor. This is also how most religious orders start. 

LOL, ADRIAN!

...and just in time for the former AFC's meeting with the Visitators tomorrow. Did you forget that the AFC actually has the minutes of their meetings and can prove that you are lying? And, incredible, you actually submitted your comments in writing to KUAM!! Haven't you guys learned yet not to write anything? Now the former AFC actually has absolute documentation of your lies. Absolute! And you want to be the next bishop????

Archdiocese disputes claims about seminary's ownership

http://www.kuam.com/global/story.asp?s=27778683

DEAR VISITORS...

...in case you are wondering where I get all my information. 

Archbishop Apuron wants you to think that Msgr. James is behind this blog. He wants you to think that Msgr. James is behind everything. He wants you to think that because there is no one on this island who he fears more. 

He fears Msgr. James for one reason:

BECAUSE PEOPLE LIKE MSGR. JAMES AND THEY DON'T LIKE HIM!

ON THE DEFINITION OF "DECREE" AND A POSSIBLE SUIT

Dear Apostolic Visitors:

We realize you will not be able to assist us directly in a civil challenge of Archbishop Apuron's assignment of the Yona Property to RMS, but we hope you can convince him to reverse it before this matter becomes a civil suit. 

Here, though, is a concern involving the Church: the use of the term DECREE when in fact there was none.

*****

Attached to Archbishop Apuron's DEED RESTRICTION relative to the perpetual use of the "Yona Property" by the Redemptoris Mater Seminary (RMS) - a seminary limited by its Articles of Incorporation to serve ONLY the formation of priests in the Neocatechumenal Way (Art. III), Archbishop Apuron attaches a DECREE OF DESIGNATION.

MTG W EDIVALDO

Dear Visitors, 

We see that you have a whole half hour with Edivaldo, er, I mean Fr. Edivaldo. Good. We want you to get to really know this guy. In case you don't know what he looks like, here is a picture. Enjoy your visit. 

This picture has been removed. Go here for an explanation.

THE SCHEDULE

SCHEDULE OF PASTORAL VISIT OF

ARCHBISHOP SAVIO HON TAI-FAI, SDB, SECRETARY OF THE CONGREGATION FOR THE EVANGELIZATION OF PEOPLES,

ARCHBISHOP MARTIN KREBS, APOSTOLIC DELEGATE TO THE PACIFIC ISLANDS,

REV. FR. TADEUSZ (TED) NOVAK, OMI, C.E.P. – OFFICIAL FOR THE PACIFIC REGION

(As you can see, no non-neo priests were given time, not even Fr. Mike Crisostomo who is the president of the clergy association, except for Msgr. James and Fr. Eric (both of whom the visitors themselves probably asked to see because of Msgr. James' case and Fr. Eric as a representative of the Capuchins.)

INVESTIGATE THE BLESSED DIEGO INSTITUTE

Dear Apostolic Visitors:

We are certain that while you are here you will be looking into the academic qualifications of the Redemptoris Mater Seminary and its accompanying Blessed Diego Institute.

To assist you, here is a self-congratulatory blurb about the Blessed Diego Institute and how it came to be affiliated with the Lateran University. Of course, being that its a product of the Neocatechumenal Way, the authors of the article include the obligatory "miraculous" description of its coming to be. 

Here is one matter of concern. The article states that in order to achieve an affiliation with the Lateran the "Institute needed to have six permanent professors with PHD degrees."

In October of last year, I researched the Institute's website (since there is no academic handbook or other information available) and did not find  the names of "six permanent professors" with academic degrees. In fact, the website listed "professors" who I knew had not been on Guam in years and others who are rarely here. 

I posted about this and apparently the people at the Institute read it because shortly thereafter they eliminated the link to the list of faculty which you can see here. The link is also missing to the "Program of Studies" (which I also questioned) and the "Courses by Department" link takes you to a page which says "File Not Found."

So WHO are these "six permanent professors with PHD degrees"? 

We are asked to support this institution and in fact trust it with the priestly formation of our sons, but they:

• can't tell us who the faculty is,
• can't tell us what the Program of Studies is, and
• the Courses by Department is a "File Not Found.

The article also states that the Institute's "academic credits are recognized by several institutions around the world." 

Really? If that were true, then why did Fr. Adrian Cristobal write to Aaron Quitugua, an aspiring seminarian, and tell him that the Blessed  Diego Institute is not able to accept his college credits and credits will only transfer out to Pontifical universities?

Read it for yourself here. 

Dear Visitors. We believe that the faithful Catholics of Guam are being lied to and used. We hope you can do something about it. Soon. 

SO GUESS WHO WAS ON THE PLANE WITH THE APOSTOLIC VISITORS?

None other than Fr. Pablo Rodriguez, the rector of the Redemptoris Mater Seminary. Apparently he had a seat next to Fr. Nowak and had his ear the whole way. 

Fr. Nowak, we trust that you can see through these people.

By the way, KUAM reported that both Apuron and the visitors declined to be interviewed last night at the airport. 

If this really was a "pastoral visit" to promote "reconciliation" as Archbishop Apuron has billed it to be, or worse "a reward" for Apuron's wonderful promoting of the "New Evangelization" in our region - as he bragged after his meeting with the pope - then one would have expected Archbishop Apuron to at least make some warm and welcoming statement. 

He didn't. 

His actions last night were quite a bit different than his initial statement to the press about the visit (read here) where he trumpets about how "pleased" he is to "announce the upcoming visit", and Fr. Adrian's telling the media about how "very happy" he was about the visit, and how they were coming to visit the sick just like Archbishop Apuron is doing. 

Well he's right about one thing. They are definitely here to visit the sick. 

MEDIA UPDATE: APOSTOLIC VISIT

Vatican diplomats to arrive on island

Jan 3, 2015, Guam Pacific Daily News

http://www.guampdn.com/article/20150104/NEWS01/301040010/Vatican-diplomats-arrive-island

Vatican diplomats traveling from Rome were expected to arrive on island yesterday evening, and at least one member of the delegation is expected to attend the governor's inauguration on Monday, according to the governor's office.

Delegation from Rome visiting next week

Jan 2, 2015, KUAM

http://www.kuam.com/global/story.asp?s=27745478

Guam - On Sunday, January 4th three archbishops from Rome will arrive on island to conduct a pastoral visit. According to a release from the Archdiocese of Agana, Archbishop Savio Hon Tai-Fai, Reverend Father Tadeusz Nowak, and Archbishop Martin Krebs will be on Guam with the hope of fostering reconciliation and mutual understanding in the archdiocese. The chancellor of the Archdiocese of Agana Father Adrian Cristobal says they do plan to meet with the clergy, religious, members of the laity and various groups during their one week stay. 

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JOHN CHARLES TOVES: CALL TO ACTION

John Toves can be reached at johncharlestoves@gmail.com or 415-812-9065. 

Note: Neither I nor the CCOG are calling for any public action. As before, I am permitting Mr. Toves to use this blog to share his message. Also, while Mr. Toves notes that the location and times of the meetings will be posted on this blog, I am not privy to that information. However, it shouldn't be too hard to find out for those who wish to respond to Mr. Toves' call.

UPDATE: I have heard that most of the meetings will occur at the Carmelite monastery in Tamuning. There should be no problem with people quietly praying there. However, please note that it is a private neighborhood. Meanwhile, you can still send any communications to the Nuncio and the office of the Secretary for the Congregation to the addresses noted under the Contact Nuncio tab.