UPDATE ON THE NATIVES ARE RESTLESS

By Tim Rohr

In the post IN SAIPAN: THE NATIVES ARE RESTLESS, I linked to a letter to the editor as published by the Marianas Variety, a Saipan paper, wherein the author laments the appointment of an outsider to the office of Bishop of Chalan Kanoa and asks: 

Why are our indigenous Chamorro and Carolinian priests consistently overlooked to lead our faith and people? Are our indigenous priests not deemed worthy enough? 

While I think Fr. Convocar is not the right choice for Saipan, and the appointment appears to be a chess move by neocat power brokers (I'll explain later), there weren't a lot of "Chamorro and Carolinian priests" to overlook.

According to a JW reader, there are only 3-4 Chamorro priests and 1 Carolinian in Saipan. It's possible one of them could have been appointed, however, and unfortunately for the local priests, the appointment of local bishops to lead these islands has not worked out well.

The lack of local vocations in both Guam and the Northern Marianas is the obvious sign of failed leadership, even if we overlook that all three local bishops - Flores, Apuron, and Camacho - are credibly accused sexual offenders, a fact now published on the Archdiocese of Agana website. 

The author also laments:

The Church in any Pacific culture, is supposed to protect the language and culture. 

Actually, no. The Church in any culture, not just the Pacific culture, is supposed to protect the flock from the wiles of the devil and lead its children home to Heaven. It's up to the people themselves - if they want - "to protect the language and culture." 

Just a note now to say why I suspect neocat machinations in the appointment of Fr. Convocar to Saipan. It's a long and convoluted story that maybe I'll write someday, but bottom line is that the Neocat empire has never suffered a defeat like it did in Guam when Apuron was ousted and their seminary was canned. 

This is a gaping hole in Kiko's credibility. (I use the name of the founder, Kiko, as a metaphor for the whole Neocat governing apparatus). Much of the Catholic world where the Kiko's have planted themselves has been desperate to throw them out for years now, but have not been able to mount the attack that we did here in Guam. 

(I clarify the "them" as the Neocat generals, not the good Catholics who, while participants in the Neocatechumenal Way, are not part of the corruption at the top.)

To keep the tide from rolling over them and rolling them out, they, the Kiko's, have had to keep up the story that Apuron was the victim of a conspiracy led by "Tim Rohr and his associates" (their words) and that Apuron is not only innocent but will be proven to be. 

"Tim Rohr and his associates launched a vicious and calumnious attack on the Archbishop and the Church." - Archdiocese of Agana, Media Release, May 31, 2016

That has become harder and harder over the years given all that has spilled out in the wake of the first outing of Apuron, but the Kiko's haven't given up. Their next step is to establish a seminary in Saipan and inserting a bishop who they can control is a necessary step. 

I'm not saying Convocar is a pushover or a Neo, but he is definitely non-confrontational - as are many priests who come "here" as "guest priests." It's well-known that Apuron preferred them because he could get rid of them if they didn't fall at his feet. It's also the main reason why he only incardinated the ones he could count on.

Convocar is likely to "work with" the Kiko's in the name of "unity," while the Kiko's rebuild in Saipan. Meanwhile, you may wonder why they, the Kiko's, didn't do this when Ryan Jimenez was bishop. They did.  

NEW BISHOP FOR SAIPAN

Archdiocese of Agaña
Episcopal Conference
of the Pacific Press Release

Nov. 25, 2024

Pope Francis appoints Fr. Romeo D. Convocar as Bishop of Chalan Kanoa

---

(CEPAC, Suva, Fiji) - The Holy Father, Pope Francis, has appointed the Very Reverend Fr. Romeo Duetao Convocar, former Apostolic Administrator and currently the Vicar-General of the Archdiocese of Agana, Guam, as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa, Northern Mariana Islands.

The appointment was officially published on November 25, 2024 (12:00 noon CET Rome). This appointment was also personally announced in Chalan Kanoa by His Eminence, Luis Antonio Gokim Cardinal Tagle, the Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery for Evangelization, who is currently in Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands, for the celebration of the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa's 40th Anniversary of Canonical Establishment. 

The Reverend Fr. Convocar was born in Iloilo, Philippines. He completed both his high school studies and his bachelor of arts major in philosophy with a minor in English at St. Joseph Seminary in Dumaguete City and his theological studies at St Joseph Regional Seminary in Jaro, Iloilo City.

He was ordained into the Sacred Order of Priesthood for the Military Ordinariate on September 17, 1996. Subsequently, he was commissioned as a Military Chaplain in the Armed Forces of the Philippines with the rank of Captain. He completed his Technical Service Officers Basic and Advance Courses at the Philippine Army Training and Doctrine Command at Fort Ramon Magsaysay in Nueva Ecija. He served as a chaplain officer for about ten years and was assigned to various military installations and commands under the headquarters units and the Navy. Moreover, he also served for about five years as the Spiritual Director and Procurator of the Domus Josephi Formation House, a seminary of the Military Ordinariate.

The Reverend Father Convocar moved to Guam and was incardinated in the Archdiocese of Agana. He has served as the Parish Administrator of St Joseph Church in Inalajan, Pastor of San Isidro in Malojloj, and Rector of Agana Cathedral-Basilica. Currently, he is the Administrator of Blessed Diego Luis de San Vitores Parish in Tumon. Moreover, as he has studied Tribunal Practice at the Institute of Tribunal Practice, which is affiliated with the Catholic Institute of Sydney and governed by the Canon Law Society of Australia and New Zealand, he furthermore serves as an Advocate and Auditor in the Metropolitan Tribunal.

Bishop-Elect Convocar was also a formator of seminarians of the archdiocese before the closure of the seminaries in Guam. He served as the Vicar-General to former Agana Archbishop Most Rev. Michael Jude Byrnes until his resignation on March 28, 2023, due to health reasons. At the time of Archbishop Byrnes' resignation, he was named by His Holiness Pope Francis as the Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Agana, the office that he served for more than a year.

Since August 15, 2024, the Very Reverend Father Charlie Borja has served as the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa following the appointment of Archbishop Ryan Pagente Jimenez as the Metropolitan Archbishop of Agana.

The Bishop-Elect's Episcopal Consecration will be announced at a later date. 

LUIS CAMACHO RETURNS - BUT THAT'S NOT THE PROBLEM

By Tim Rohr

So Fr. Luis Camacho has returned to Guam after nine years. I hope things work out for him. However, the real problem at this point is not Luis Camacho, but Fr. Romeo Convocar, our Apostolic Administrator. And here’s why.

In the above press release, Fr. Convocar states the following:

According to archdiocesan records, Father Luis was arrested on March 17, 2015 on Guam for custodial interference. He resigned as Pastor of San Dimas, Malesso and San Dionisio, Umatac. He was prohibited from hearing confession and restricted from celebrating Mass publicly. He may celebrate Mass only privately. Those restrictions of his faculties have not been lifted. Former Archbishop Anthony Apuron sent the priest off-island to a priestly renewal program after the incident in 2015.

Other than the fact that Camacho was arrested on March 17, 2015, none of the rest is true. 

1. There was no restriction of Camacho’s faculties. Camacho was immediately hurried away the next day to Saipan where he stayed with then-Bishop Camacho who was said to be his uncle. 

2. There was no “off-island priestly renewal program.” After Saipan, Camacho was scurried away by the Neocat hierarchy to the Middle East where he surfaced at a parish in Qatar and was put in charge of youth ministry. 

3. Camacho was apparently incardinated by the bishop in Qatar, Camillo Ballin, in a diocese that was building up a large neocatechumenal presence.

And then there's this: 

Rome opened a canonical investigation on Father Luis following the incident in 2015. Though the Vatican has not been able to make a canonical ruling due to insufficient evidence, the case is not closed. The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith informed then Archbishop Michael Byrnes on Nov. 18, 2022 that the case is filed in the archives at this time as it is not possible to proceed with any canonical action.

This conflicts with a 2016 letter published in Qatar by Camacho's "new bishop" clearing Camacho:

Note: This letter appears to be the work of the Neocat cabal in Qatar and their using Ballin like they used Apuron: a rubber stamp. Nevertheless, Fr. Convocar needs to know the real history and needs to make it clear.

The Camacho incident was huge at the time because it occurred just as things were heating up for Apuron regarding his sex abuse of minors as well as the whole RMS scam. Had Camacho publicly confessed and said "I'm sorry," I am quite sure all of Guam would have forgiven and embraced him. 

Perhaps Camacho wanted to do that. But Apuron and his Neocat handlers got rid of Camacho as fast as they could, not to protect Camacho, but to protect their own back sides - given what was coming. 

JungleWatch followed the whole mess very closely. There are 62 posts on this blog about Luis Camacho and a whole page (Luis Camacho File) with links to all the news stories generated by his arrest. 

Fr. Convocar should spend a few days studying those posts and the file before he sends out any more press releases. We've been lied to and lied to. We don't need anymore. And neither does Fr. Luis Camacho. 

And one last thing. The press release has Tony Diaz' name at the bottom of it, not Fr. Convocar's. While Tony as Director of Communications can certainly write and distribute press releases, they should always be in the name of Fr. Convocar. We don't want to be guessing who is running this place all over again. 

By the way. The Camacho affair wasn't just local news. 

From Osservatorio sul Cammino Neocatechumenale secondo verità

(translated)

the Neocatechumenal priest arrested on a secluded beach in Guam while having sex with a Neocatechumenal minor was sent to Qatar  probably to avoid extradition should a criminal trial begin against him in Guam. The Attorney General of Guam herself, moreover, had done everything to support the kikos  despite the law requiring her to continue the proceedings against the neocat "presbyter".

On the one hand, the mgr. Camillo Ballin , Apostolic Vicar of Northern Arabia, competent for Qatar, had stated that the arrested presbyter belongs to "his him" he clergy (as if he had formally incardinated him);  who knows, maybe he is convinced that at some point he will make a career and leave the hot potato to his successor... On the other hand, however, the Neocatechumenal chancellor of the Curia of Guam had said in a press release (Statement  published in the diocesan newspaper ) that the presbyter was still belonging to the clergy of Guam. The Neocatechumenal bishop of Guam, in fact, to protect the arrested man, had always avoided following his own provisions . Which of the two bishops will end up with a lit match in their hand?

Recommended

LUIS CAMACHO ANNIVERSARY 

THE NCW: A PLACE TO HIDE

FRENCHIE'S LETTER TO BISHOP CAMILLO BALLIN - LUIS' NEW BISHOP - APRIL 12, 2016

STEVE STANDS UP. LET'S NOT LET HIM STAND ALONE.

THE REAL CRIME IS APURON'S

AT LEAST FR. JAMES MARTIN, S.J. IS HONEST

By Tim Rohr

In his Apostolic Administrator’s statement of Dec. 22, 2023 regarding Fiducia Supplicans ("FS"), Apostolic Administrator for Agana, Fr. Romeo Convocar, urges us to “carefully read the actual document, instead of relying on presentations or interpretations by media and other sources.” 

I did. 

And it doesn’t say what Fr. Convocar tells us it says. 

Fr. Convocar says that FS “refers to…the blessing of persons and not unions of persons or couples in irregular situations and same-sex couples.” 

Fr. Convocar’s “interpretation” absolutely contradicts the heading of Section III which is clearly titled: “Blessings of Couples in Irregular Situations and of Couples of the Same Sex.”

If Pope Francis wanted to make it clear that FS was only about “the blessing of persons and not unions,” as Fr. Convocar wants us to believe, then the title could have easily and clearly been: “Blessing of Persons in Irregular Situations and Persons in Same-Sex Unions.”

But it isn't.

In fact, FS uses the word “individual” only once, and not even in the singular: “the ordained minister could ask that the individuals have peace…” The blessing is clearly directed towards a “couple,” thus the Vatican’s clear use of the plural.  

FS uses the word "person" seven times, however, in the most critical part of the document, when the pope might have stuck with the singular to avoid confusion, he opts for the plural ("persons") and emphasizes that the blessing is for a couple and not a person by further using the word "themselves" instead of him or herself:

"...the ordained minister join in the prayer of those persons who, although in a union that cannot be compared in any way to a marriage, desire to entrust themselves to the Lord and his mercy..." (Par. 30)

When will these people stop lying to us?

At least Fr. James Martin is honest about what Pope Francis really wants:

Fr. James Martin, SJ, blessing a same-sex couple the day
after FS was promulgated

IT'S NOT THE CHURCH AND IT'S NOT THE "CHILDREN"

By Tim Rohr

The following was posted on the Facebook page of the Umatuna. I will follow the text with a few comments.

June 21, 2023--Prot. 2023-141

Message by the Apostolic Administrator
U.S. District Court issues Final Decree
consummating compensation plan,
closing archdiocese bankruptcy case

---

To all in our Catholic family,

With deep thanksgiving to our Almighty God, I share much welcome news from the United States District Court of Guam announcing the official closing of the Archdiocese of Agana’s Chapter 11 Reorganization (bankruptcy) case related to clergy sexual abuse.

We received the following from the Bankruptcy Division of the District Court of Guam late yesterday, June 20:

---

Notice of Electronic Filing

The following transaction was received from fad entered on 6/20/2023 at 11:44 AM CST and filed on 6/20/2023

Case Name: Archbishop of Agana, a Corporation Sole, Most Rev.

Case Number: 19-00010

Document Number: 1204

Docket Text:

Final Decree. Debtor's [1202] Motion for a Final Decree - GRANTED. The Plan has been substantially consummated; and This Chapter 11 case and Estate are hereby CLOSED. (fad)

---

"But as for you, be strong and do not relax, for your work shall be rewarded." – 2 Chronicles 15:7

The final decree by Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood means that the archdiocese’s compensation agreement with the victim survivors of clergy sexual abuse is officially approved and completed. That chapter may be closed. However, to be certain, there is much work yet to do in our journey of bringing healing, justice and reparation to those whom our Church gravely harmed.

Legally at least, our bankruptcy status is lifted. Spiritually, it affirms the steadfast truth that God never abandons us. So long as we dedicate ourselves to Him in our efforts to do good, Our Lord blesses us.

Thus, we must continue to focus wholeheartedly on the many tasks and responsibilities of post-bankruptcy work. This includes but is not limited to completing the transfer of properties and assets to the victim survivors through their court appointed trustee; providing tuition vouchers and cemetery plots to their families; activating the non-monetary compensation elements of the plan; strengthening our Child Protection and Safe Environment protocols and policies; reorganizing the archdiocese; and rebuilding our finances. We must work harder to protect all children from harm of any kind.

I convey my sincerest gratitude to the numerous individuals, groups and families of our schools, parishes and archdiocesan organizations for your tireless work, sacrifice and continued support. We have reached this important point of our journey of atonement and reparation because of your steadfast trust in our Lord.

Thank you to Archbishop Emeritus Michael J. Byrnes. We continue to pray for your healing. Thank you to my brother clergy and dear religious sisters. I extend much gratitude to former Finance Officer Josie Villanueva. Thank you to the many volunteers who help the Church in different ways, including the dedicated members of our Finance Council and Internal Review Board, past and present. 

Thank you to the many others even outside of our Church who have had major roles in helping us, from our hardworking attorneys here and abroad, the attorneys of the victim survivors, the banking and insurance institutions, Judge Tydingco-Gatewood, Chief Bankruptcy Judge Robert J. Faris and Curtis Ching of the Office of the U.S. Trustee, and companies which have supported us amid our trials and failures.

Thank you to all the victims, the courageous men and women who have endured in pain and continue to bear the wounds of betrayal and sexual abuse from members of our Church on Guam in the past. We are deeply sorry for the agony, betrayal, deceit and coverup by leaders and members of our archdiocese in the past.

As we work to pick ourselves up from the recent typhoon and the many other storms we have experienced in the past, we give ultimate thanks to our merciful Creator. Thank you dearest God for your unending love for us. In closing, I repeat a Bible passage which I have cited before:

“Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” – 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Yours in Christ,

/s/Father Romeo D. Convocar

Apostolic Administrator, Archdiocese of Agaña

+++++++

My comments

Fr. Convocar errs in initially referring to the victims as "those whom our Church gravely harmed." However, he fixes the error at end of his message when he again refers to the victims, but this time as those "who have endured in pain and continue to bear the wounds of betrayal and sexual abuse from members of our Church on Guam in the past."

I'm glad he fixed it. "The Church" is the Bride of Christ. It is one, holy, catholic, and apostolic, and thus, is not only incapable of harming Her own children, but it is blasphemy and the "unforgivable sin," a "sin against the Holy Spirit," (Mk 3:28–29, Mt 12:31–32, Lk 12:10), to even infer it. 

Moreover, by laying the blame for these and so many more atrocities on "The Church," we not only defile the Bride of Christ and thus Christ Himself, we lessen or even remove the blame from the real perpetrators and the evil rot. 

No doubt, the sickness that fomented what Pope Benedict called "the filth in the Church," is systemic, and it is nothing new. In Liber Gomorrhianus (Book of Gomorrah) St. Peter Damian called out even filthier atrocities in the 11th century. 

The following is copied from the book's page on Amazon:

"Alas, it is shameful to speak of it! It is shameful to relate such a disgusting scandal to sacred ears! But if the doctor fears the virus of the plague, who will apply the cauterization? If he is nauseated by those whom he is to cure, who will lead sick souls back to the state of health?"

With these words, St. Peter Damian introduces the Book of Gomorrah, undoubtedly the most stirringly eloquent and impassioned denunciation of sexual perversion ever penned by a Catholic saint. Although it was written almost a thousand years ago, the Book of Gomorrah in many ways seems addressed to our own times, associating the phenomena of clerical homosexual behavior and pederasty, and endorsing the imprisonment of clergy who are a danger to youth. 

The Book of Gomorrah offers a scathing analysis of the evil of sodomy, while also expressing compassion for those who have fallen into such vice and the possibility of their redemption by the aid of divine grace. It explains the devastating effects of the vice both spiritually and psychologically, and warns that such behavior, particularly among the clergy, will bring down the wrath of God. It also urges the permanent defrocking of clerics who are habituated to homosexual behavior and endorses the permanent confinement those guilty of child sex abuse. 

Meanwhile, I still have an issue with Fr. Convocar's correction where he refers to "members of our Church on Guam in the past." It's not "in the past." Sin, immorality, filth, perverted atrocities are never "in the past," especially in the Church because Satan never sleeps and the ordained are his most delectable targets. Church history, if anything, demonstrates that.

Thus St. Peter warns:

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." - 1 Peter 5:8

It is understandable that Fr. Convocar and most others in our local Church want to put the atrocities of Apuron et. al behind us ("in the past"), but that is exactly what Satan wants us to do. 

In fact, what Fr. Convocar really needs to do is erect a Hall of Shame wherein are displayed the names, pictures, history, and all documents related to the proven perps as well as (with their permission) the names and pictures (where possible) of their victims. 

Note: Longtime readers of JW will remember that JW published pictures of Apuron's victims at or about the age when they were raped or molested or otherwise abused by the priest they served. Those pictures probably had more to do with turning the tide against Apuron and ultimately his conviction and sentencing by Pope Francis than anything else. We should be made to stare at such pictures again today x 300 plus. 

 

The other thing I find bothersome in Fr. Convocar's message,  * and this is not unique to him, is the constant coloring of "children" as the "victims." They may have been minors, but they weren't "children," at least not most. And this is a dirty ugly fact that not only few are brave enough to address, but by continually making this about "children" masks  (maybe intentionally) the real problem.

The fact is that our Church leadership has done nothing to address the real problem, and no amount of "Child Protection and Safe Environment protocols and policies" is going to do it. And it's not going to do it because it wasn't "children" who were the victims, and second, nothing has been done to screen out the worms who perpetrated these atrocities in the first place. 

There is also a third problem: the "deep church" that shielded Apuron and attempted to thwart the efforts of the people on the street at every turn. Said "deep church" is still in place. But we'll get to that another time. 

* I continue to refer to "Fr. Romy Convocar" directly because he is the papal-appointed Apostolic Administrator for the Archdiocese of Agana. In other words, on his desk, and at least for now, there is a sign - even if you don't see it - which reads: THE BUCK STOPS HERE. 

DIANA TELLS FR. ROMY TO OBEY THE POPE

By Tim Rohr

Every once in a while, someone sends me something related to Guam's Neocatechumenal Way that he/she/they want me to be aware of. Usually it's a link to a post on my old friend "Diana's" blog. I normally don't care to address it. 

Back when "the monk" was running this place (and running Apuron) it was necessary to engage the errors since no one else was. But the monk is gone and so is Apuron, so it's really the new guy's problem, not mine. 

And, as far as I know, the Neo's are conforming, or maybe just laying low in order not to raise any red flags while Rome searches for a new bishop for this place. 

The link someone sent me today had a comment from Diana which was refreshing to read given that Diana in effect said to "behave and mind your manners." 

Anonymous: Diana, the Way has its statutes and directory approved by Rome. With those approval from the Vatican, don't you think that would override the moratorium? Just asking. 

Diana: Dear Anonymous at 8:57 am,

The approved statutes and directory does not override the moratorium. According to Article 1 section 2 in the approved statues, “The Neocatechumenal Way is at the service of the Bishop as one forms of diocesan implementation of Christian initiation and of the ongoing education in faith.”

Furthermore, the letter of Pope Francis to the Neocatechumenal Way dated June 27, 2022 stated:

This missionary spirit, that is, of letting oneself be sent, is an inspiration for you all. I thank you for this, and I ask of you docility to the Spirit who sends you, docility and obedience to Jesus Christ in his Church. Everything in the Church, nothing outside the Church. This is the spirituality that must always accompany us: preaching Jesus Christ with the strength of the Spirit in the Church and with the Church. And the one who is the head, let’s say, of the various Churches is the bishop: always move forward with the bishop, always. He is the head of the Church, in this country, in this state…”

Therefore, the NCW should obey the moratorium issued by the Archbishop or to Father Romy who is the Apostolic Administrator. So, when the moratorium stipulates that the Holy Eucharist be held inside the Church before a consecrated altar, then the NCW should be obedient.

Diana's answer is solid. Thanks Diana. However, her answer reminds us that the Neo's do not normally celebrate "Holy Eucharist...inside the (c)hurch (on) a consecrated altar," and it takes a special instruction from the bishop to cause them to do so. As its founder Kiko Arguello has said: "any old table and any old place will do" (paraphrased). 

Meanwhile, it appears Diana still can't resist resorting to her old self. In her post above the comment, Diana implies that Fr. Romy is disobeying the Pope:

Easter was celebrated in the NCW in Guam differently as in previous years due to the fact that we obeyed Father Romy, the Apostolic Administrator. Father Romy made a few changes in our Easter Vigil so that it became a Sunrise Mass rather than a vigil...I am certain that in time we will celebrate the Easter Vigil again as we did before. Why? Because it is not only us who need to be obedient to the Bishop or Apostolic Administrator (as in this case). All Bishops must also be obedient to the Pope.

Diana goes on to copy a portion of an article from Crux and emphasizes the following:

An exception exists for “national churches,” like the U.S. Catholic community at St. Patrick Church in Rome, and for members of the Neocatechumenal Way, whose Vatican-approved statutes allow for small-group celebrations of the Easter vigil.

Sounds pretty authoritative, coming from Rome and all. However, the excerpt is from a document distributed by the "episcopal council of the Rome diocese" to the Rome diocese, which is why "the U.S. Catholic Community...in Rome" is mentioned. The full article in Crux clearly indicates that the matter concerns ONLY the Rome diocese, not the Archdiocese of Agana and NOT Fr. Romy.

Meanwhile, the episcopal council of Rome appears not to have read the NCW Statutes which say nothing about "small-group celebrations of the Easter vigil." 

Art. 12

[Paschal Vigil]

§ 1. Axis and source of Christian life is the paschal mystery, lived and celebrated in a pre- eminent way in the Sacred Triduum,42 whose brilliance fills the whole liturgical year with light.43 For this reason, it constitutes the fulcrum of the Neocatechumenate, since this is a rediscovery of Christian initiation.

§ 2. “The Paschal Vigil, focal point of the Christian liturgy, and its baptismal spirituality inspire all Catechesis.”44 It is for this reason that during the itinerary, the neocatechumens are initiated gradually45 into an ever more perfect participation in all that the holy night signifies, celebrates and realizes.

§ 3. In this way, the Neocatechumenate will stimulate the parish to have a richer celebration of the Paschal Vigil.46

The very next article in the Statutes addresses the small group celebrations which are permitted on other Sundays of the year. Sure, it doesn't specifically say "other Sundays of the year," but that's because the authors and approvers of the Statute assumed they didn't have to. It's clear that Art. 13 addresses "other Sundays of the year" given that Easter stands above and apart from the other Sundays.

Art. 13

[Eucharist]

§ 1. The Eucharist is essential to the Neocatechumenate, since this is a post-baptismal catechumenate lived in small communities.47 In fact, the Eucharist completes Christian initiation.48

§ 2. The neocatechumens celebrate the Sunday Eucharist in the small community after the first Vespers of Sunday. This celebration takes place according to the dispositions of the diocesan bishop. The celebrations of the Eucharist of the neocatechumenal communities on Saturday evening are part of the Sunday liturgical pastoral work of the parish and are open also to other faithful. 

As we have come to expect, unless the NCW Statutes specifically say "DON'T" or "NOT PERMITTED," then the Neocats (the leadership) interprets the Statutes to their liking. 

The Neocats, at least in Guam, don't do the Easter Vigil in small groups anyway. It's usually an islandwide bash with all the communities coming together. 

I don't have a problem with the Neocats doing whatever they want. In fact, I've experienced far worse "straying" from liturgical norms at "regular" parish Masses. However, I'll still set the record straight from time to time. Not that I'm an expert. I just read the Statutes, as written, and adhere to their plain meaning. You can do it too. 

Courage :)

ATIENZA HAS TO BE TOLD AGAIN...AND AGAIN...AND AGAIN. SO STOP THE MONEY.

By Tim Rohr

Today, March 28, 2023, the Vatican announced that Archbishop Byrnes has resigned as Archbishop of Agana and Fr. Romeo Convocar has been appointed Apostolic Administrator until a new archbishop is appointed. 

The Vatican announcement did not give a reason but the media reports "medical reasons." For those of us closer to the situation, we know that the Archbishop's demise was related to reasons of mental health. 

Byrnes' resignation, and his reasons, was anticipated in this post from December 2022: AND SO THEY CRUSHED HIM

And "they" will crush the next bishop too if he is not either a neocat or a boot licker. This is what they do. 

As evidence, I present the following. 

Just yesterday (the timing is interesting given that Convocar knew of Byrnes' resignation), Fr. Convocar, now the Apostolic Administrator, issued a MEMORANDUM to all clergy clarifying that Archbishop Byrnes' 2017 MORATORIUM prohibiting the NCW from establishing new communities is still in force. 

At the end of his MEMORANDUM, Fr. Convocar writes:

"I thank Dr. David Atienza and his wife Maruxa, the Itinerant Catechists of the Neocatechumenal for meeting with me…We all agreed that it was important that all part of the Church - the Body of Christ - work together to shine the Truth and Love of God in this broken world."

This is a joke. 

Atienza and his wife have no more intention of obeying Fr. Convocar than they did Archbishop Byrnes, and they never will. 

More than FOUR YEARS after Archbishop Byrnes issued his March 15, 2015 letter establishing the aforesaid moratorium in the strictest terms, the same Archbishop Byrnes, via Fr. Ronald Richards, was forced to issue another letter, dated August 18, 2021, to the same Mr. Atienza noting that Atienza had ignored the moratorium, had continued to establish new communities, and had to be told, by Byrnes, to "cease this process immediately."

FOUR YEARS LATER!

Now, two more years after that last letter, Atienza has to be told again...yesterday.

Soon after Byrnes' arrival on Guam, I and others - who were the reason Byrnes was here in the first place, met with Byrnes and defined very clearly who the neocats were. I'm not speaking of the rank and file members, but specifically of the neocat leadership, Atienza et. al. 

We told Byrnes that they would faun all over him with faux respect but that behind his back they would laugh at him, disrespect him, ignore him, disobey him, and otherwise drive him crazy while they continued to do whatever they wanted - which is exactly what they did.

We also told him that the reason for this is the NCW has its own hierarchy, and that he - Archbishop Byrnes - was not "their bishop," and "their bishop" would always be Apuron. 

Further, we told him that the NCW was is in fact a parallel church, but even worse, a church masquerading in the deepest heart of the true Church, and that they had heavy hitters in the Vatican who would crush anyone who got in their way - including him (Byrnes).

Despite our dire warnings, Byrnes, nevertheless, wanted to make peace, so we are not surprised at what has happened. True, Byrnes closed the seminary, but that had more to do with finances and illegal land titles than what the neocats were actually doing there. 

Given the reluctance of our church leadership to do anything other than write letters, the only response left us who are tired of this is to once again "stop the money." 

If your parish supports, hosts, provides for a neocat community, then write your pastor a letter as to why you are withholding your donations. A pastor has a lot of control over what happens in his parish, and that includes hosting neocats.

It's sad, but it is the only thing our church leadership appears to hear. 

VICAR GENERAL'S MESSAGE ON BANKRUPTCY REORGANIZATION

The following is copied from a Facebook post by the Umatuna - the newspaper for the Archdiocese of Agana:

 

February 6, 2023                                                                                 Protocol No. 2023-013

A TIME FOR UNITY AND HEALING

The Vicar General’s Pastoral Message on Implementation of Bankruptcy Plan of Reorganization

The peace of Jesus Christ be with you. I wish to supplement the short pastoral message that was read at our churches on Sunday, February 5, 2023, with this longer message updating the faithful.

Our archdiocese reached a significant milestone in the complex and emotional journey of bankruptcy that we embarked on four years ago. On October 4, 2022, Chief District Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood approved the confirmation of the Fifth Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization. It means that our archdiocese reached a formal agreement of reparation and compensation with the victim-survivors of clergy sexual abuse who were harmed by former members of our archdiocese.

The judge’sruling defines the final conditions or terms under which the bankruptcy status for our archdiocese will be lifted.  It is a major achievement and provides the guidance we need to fulfill our part.

It is also the time for healing to begin. As we march into 2023, let us be strong and united in Christ, knowing that our Almighty God is with us every step. We are one in the Body of Christ. Our loving Lord has been with us in calm waters and turbulent seas. He is always present in our journey.

In this new chapter, we ask for your prayers for all members of His Church, that we bear all together and, with His grace, emerge together with leaner but healthy parishes and schools which make a stronger archdiocese.  Please pray, too, that in all instances, everyone will rise to know the Lord and the peace that He gives through his mercy and love.

It must be the providence of Our Lord that in this month of February, we welcome the International Pilgrim Virgin Statue of Our Lady of Fatima, enter the Holy season of Lent on February 22, 2023, Ash Wednesday, and mark the 42nd anniversary of Pope John Paul II’s historic visit here on February 22 & 23, 1981.

In this longer pastoral message today, we will share some details of the progress of implementing the court-approved Joint Plan of Reorganization.

Since the judge approved the Fifth Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization last October, our archdiocese has remained extremely busy attending to the many details and its obligations to resolve the claims of the victim-survivors of clergy abuse as well as the Archdiocese’s creditors.

What are the final conditions or terms that must be met?

Replacement Mortgages – The archdiocese will effect replacement mortgages in the amount of $4,700,000 less payments made since the petition date, with the Bank of Guam on the real property amortized, using a thirty (30) year amortization schedule at 3% fixed interest with a 20-year maturity.  The first payment will be due six months after the effective date. Payments may be made prior to the 6-month extension to assist in lowering the actual balance.

Real Estate – The archdiocese will transfer the parcels of real property with an estimated value of $18,358,034 to the Trust, free and clear of all claims, liens, and encumbrances. 

Cash Contribution from All Entities - The archdiocese will transfer in total $6,609,998.29 to the Trust.

Settling Insurer Contributions - The insurance companies will transfer $18,000,000.00 to the Trust.

Unknown Claims - The archdiocese will establish the Unknown Tort Claim Reserve Fund in the minimum initial amount of $200,000.00 with equal annual payments over a period of five years and a total of $1,500,000.

Tuition Vouchers – The archdiocese will provide the Trust with 150 vouchers for kindergarten through 12th-grade Catholic education.  The school vouchers shall cover 100% of the cost of tuition each year for a total of not more than 13 years at any Catholic school in Guam.

Cemetery Vouchers – The archdiocese will provide the Trust with 50 vouchers. The cemetery vouchers shall cover 100% of a cemetery plot easement at a Catholic cemetery in Guam.

Proceeds of Real Property Sales – The archdiocese will market and sell the FHP/TakeCare and Chancery properties. The FHP/TakeCare property has officially been listed. The proceeds of the sale will fund the following:

·       $2,000,000.00 to First Hawaiian Bank.

·       $200,000.00 to fund the Unknown Claims, paid to the Trust.

·       $250,000.00 to fund Administrative Claims.

·       $500,000.00 to renovate and outfit the museum space at Cathedral-Basilica for use as the Chancery.

·       The remaining proceeds will be distributed to the Trust for the victim-survivors.

Child Protection Protocols - The Trust and the archdiocese, within 60 days after the effective date, must file the finalized version of the Child Protection Protocols currently before the Creditors Committee.  These protocols will reaffirm and strengthen the existing archdiocesan policies for the Protection of Children and Young People from Sexual Abuse, the Safe Environment Program, and the Independent Review Board.

The list of real properties claimed by the plaintiffs is extensive and affects many parishes and schools, including some consecrated and historic spaces. You may recall the earnest attempt of parishes and schools to demonstrate their autonomy related to the management of properties.  The February 26, 2022 ruling by Judge Tydingco-Gatewood was in favor of the victim-survivors’ Creditors’ Committee and determined that the archdiocese is essentially one body, which means that all liquid and real property assets of all parishes and schools owned by the archdiocese are part of the bankruptcy estate. 

One of the historic spaces is the Chancery compound on San Ramon Hill in Hagåtña.  In 2016, Archbishop Michael Byrnes announced that the Chancery would be included in the list of assets to be sold for settlement with the claimants. However, the facility's immense historical, spiritual, and cultural significance has come to the fore in the expressions of concern from the faithful, many of whom witnessed the 1981 visit of St. John Paul the Great.  His visit included an overnight stay at the bishop’s residence of then Bishop Felixberto C. Flores. 

In the weeks to come, we sincerely hope and pray the new owners of the Chancery property and other church properties will be considerate of the sacred purposes and historical significance of these beloved and treasured structures.  As a primary example, the potential loss of the Chancery property will have an impact on the entire archdiocese as we will need to relocate the office, residence, and chapel of the archbishop, the central offices, the offices of the Metropolitan Tribunal, Office of Catholic Education, and other essential ministries.

As we continue meetings with the respective pastors, administrators, and leaders of our archdiocesan parishes and schools, they, in turn, will meet with their communities to further discuss their respective property lots that will be relinquished and the process and timelines that will be involved.  The Fifth Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization is posted on the archdiocese’s website at https://archagana.org/bankruptcy under “Updated Documents.”  The joint plan lays out the summary we provided here in detail and the real properties listed in the settlement.    

Further to the responsibilities of the archdiocese already mentioned in this letter is the payment of attorney fees and other unforeseen expenses associated with the implementation of the joint plan.  The joint plan specifically requires the archdiocese to pay all unpaid professional claims accruing through the effective date and within seven days after the effective date. 

Reparation and healing, a small measure of justice, for the victim-survivors of sexual abuse in our archdiocese is no longer just a possibility but will be fulfilled at the proper time. Thank you for remaining united and recognizing the great sacrifices the Church must make collectively in atonement for our sins of the past and the sake of those gravely hurt by former clergy and laity of the past.  As she has over the millennia, our Church will survive because she lives in the hearts of believers. 

Our archdiocese will have fewer material resources, but by the grace of our Lord, we will still be focused on fulfilling our mission of proclaiming the good news of salvation, teaching the Gospel, sanctifying God's people with His grace, and helping the needy and vulnerable.

Again, we sincerely thank the faithful for the tremendous sacrifices and contributions each of you has made. We thank the families, couples, individuals, and organizations who have helped to build our churches and schools and those who continue to provide support and contributions in a multitude of ways.

As we near the holy season of Lent, we encourage everyone to turn to the Lord in prayer for comfort and peace. Together, we will also pray in all our churches and at every Mass the attached new Prayer for the Archdiocese as we move forward as one Church in Guam under the protection of Santa Marian Kamalen, our Patroness.

“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” ~Psalms 51:10-12

The love of Jesus Christ be with you,

Rev. Fr. Romeo D. Convocar

Vicar General

Archdiocese of Agaña

CONVOCAR'S MASS FOR "HEROD"

Rather than a "Mass of Thanksgiving" for the re-election of two of the most anti-Catholic (in practice) people ever elected to their offices, Fr. Romeo Convocar, who now leads the Archdiocese of Agana in the absence of Archbishop Byrnes, should have called for a Mass of Reparation, Penance, Conversion  - anything but a "Mass of Thanksgiving."  

Only days earlier, the same Fr. Convocar compared the re-elected governor to Herod and his Slaughter of the Innocents:

Father Romeo Convocar, vicar general of the Archdiocese of Agaña, said the timing of the governor's action was ironic.

"The decision of Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero to veto Bill 291-36 which would give life to the Guam Heartbeat Act of 2022 comes on this particular day, the Feast of the Holy Innocents," Convocar said. "The feast commemorates the young children in Bethlehem who were massacred by King Herod of Judea in his attempt to kill the infant Jesus."

But now Convocar wants us to join him in offering the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in THANKSGIVING for re-electing "Herod" - as Convocar himself functionally labels her. 

Maybe it's time we Catholics start withholding our money again. The silence of empty collection plates appears to be the only thing our local church hierarchy hears. 

Or maybe another picket...given the speculation that Convocar could be our next bishop.

NOTE: As you can see from the script below the picture, Convocar had the comments turned off for his Facebook announcement.  The Comments are open on JungleWatch. 

ARCHDIOCESE OF AGANA STATEMENT ON PASSAGE OF THE HEARTBEAT BILL

 

LINK TO PDF

ARCHDIOCESE OF AGANA SENDS WRONG MESSAGE: OKAY TO KILL UNBORN UNTIL HEARTBEAT IS DETECTED

By Tim Rohr

The following was sent to the Pacific Daily News as a Letter to the Editor. It has not yet been published. Given that the subject bill is expected to come up on the floor of the legislature this week for a vote, JW chooses to make the letter public via this forum now - with supporting links and references. Note: the Letter was published by the Pacific Daily News on Dec. 5, 2022. 

Per a recent news story in the Pacific Daily News, the Archdiocese of Agana, specifically its vicar general, Father Romeo Convocar, has called on Vice-Speaker Barnes to place the Guam "Heartbeat Bill" on its session agenda.

Unfortunately, Fr. Convocar's support of the "Heartbeat Bill" inadvertently implies that killing a child in the womb is okay up until a fetal heartbeat is detected. This is in direct contradiction to universal Catholic teaching which holds that life begins at conception and that the direct killing of an innocent, defenseless human being is always intrinsically evil. 

2271 Since the first century the Church has affirmed the moral evil of every procured abortion. This teaching has not changed and remains unchangeable. Direct abortion, that is to say, abortion willed either as an end or a means, is gravely contrary to the moral law.

Prior to the Dobbs decision overturning Roe, incremental pro-life legislation like the "Heartbeat Bill" was the best that could be hoped for, and advocating for such legislation was even officially encouraged by Pope John Paul II in his encyclical, Evangelium Vitae.

"...when it is not possible to overturn or completely abrogate a pro-abortion law, an elected official, whose absolute personal opposition to procured abortion was well known, could licitly support proposals aimed at limiting the harm done by such a law and at lessening its negative consequences at the level of general opinion and public morality. This does not in fact represent an illicit cooperation with an unjust law, but rather a legitimate and proper attempt to limit its evil aspects." - Evangelium Vitae 73 Note: Between 2008 and 2018, the Esperansa Project did precisely this in backing eight pro-life bills into law and functionally shutting down Guam's abortion clinics in 2018. 

However, since the Dobbs decision has opened the door for a full, legal ban on abortion, Fr. Convocar would have better served the church he represents by writing a letter of support to Attorney General-elect, Douglas Moylan, who has stated his intent to dissolve the injunction placed on Guam’s 1990 abortion ban.

Fr. Convocar’s letter to Vice-Speaker Barnes is yet another example of Guam’s Catholic Church leadership continually stepping on itself when it wanders into the public arena - usually after being baited - and without proper counsel. Unfortunately, as recent history has demonstrated, said leadership’s public missteps are not paid for by the Catholics on the altar, but by the Catholics in the pews. 

LATEST MOVE AT THE CHANCERY

 Posted by frenchie        

                                        

After  a long hiatus of several months, the Archdiocese of Agana is going to be in communion with

Canon law.

Since the departure of  Fr Jeff as Vicar General, we had been left with an hybrid situation, where the 

special advisor to the Archbishop was Episcopal vicar, and a civilian had been nominated as the Chancellor, despite a complicated personal health issue.

We now have a new Vicar General, pending the official Aviso from the Chancery.

Fr. Romeo Concovar has been nominated as the New Vicar General.

Please pray for him to be successful, in this most difficult of position.

He certainly will have to make his voice heard over the Episcopal Vicar, even if said person is scheduled to go back to Detroit by the month of July.

The good news, at least for now, is that we are not in contravention of Canon law.

 

Best wishes for this weekend.