THE PRINCES OF THE CHURCH...AND WHY THE NEXT BISHOP OF GUAM MATTERS

By Tim Rohr

Given that the neocats, specifically Atienza et. al, have finally succeeded in getting rid of Archbishop Byrnes, we can expect a huge fight over the bishop's chair of little ol' Guam.

Why such a huge fight over a diocese that hardly holds the population of small Los Angeles suburb?

And why has the fight already gone all the way to Rome and will go to Rome once again?

Here's my answer.

It's not that Guam means anything to anyone in Rome or even the neocat hierarchy. The story that Guam was going to be the neocat launchpad into China was all a fiction and if the neocats want into China, they have much better places to launch from. 

No. The real reason why Guam is so important to the neocats, and specifically who the next bishop will be, is because of what happened to Guam's neocat Redemptoris Mater Seminary ("RMS").

The neocats have a bunch of RMS's around the world, and these priest-factories are their key to the highest halls of power throughout the Catholic World. 

The reason is this. 

Bishops who produce the most new priests are fast tracked to the cardinaliate. And it's the cardinals who call the shots at the top of the church, including who will be the next pope. That's why they're called "the princes of the church." And most of these dudes live in a palatial splendor that would embarrass real princes. 

The founders of the NCW can be credited with being masterminds for figuring out that the quickest and surest way to control the Church, would be to control the Cardinals, and the way to control the Cardinals would be put the Cardinals in their debt by helping them go from purple hats (bishops) to red hats (Cardinals) by manufacturing priests in their dioceses in greater and greater numbers.

As many of us heard first hand from several of the neocat seminarians and priests here in Guam, the neocat recruits usually were products of messed up lives, and many were off the streets of third-world countries or at least third-world circumstances.

This is why we see so many of these "recruits" coming from underprivileged countries and NOT going back after ordination, but living a much more comfortable first-world life in the United States and Europe. It's not uncommon for the priesthood to be used this way. In the U.S. it's called an R-1 visa.

Okay. So back to Guam.

The Redemptoris Mater Seminary system, as just shared, is the main artery of the NCW power structure. And the RMS in Guam is the only RMS in the whole world to have been shut down - and by a bishop. 

And not just shut down, but fully and dramatically exposed as a thorough and complete SHAM that not only did not provide a true priestly formation, but bilked the good people of Guam for millions and millions of dollars in the belief that RMS was "A Miracle for Guam" as the neocat shisters proposed their seminary to be:

Moreover, RMS - as The Bronze Opinion would demonstrate - was a functional "land grab" of what was the archdiocese's most valuable asset - at the time, estimated to be - by Apuron's own legal counsel - worth 75 Million Dollars. The whole mess was thoroughly outed in THE CERTIFICATE OF TITLE FIASCO and THE ULTIMATE TREACHERY. 

Archbishop Byrnes had no intention of closing RMS at first. (Perhaps he had his arm severely twisted on his way to Guam). However, the exposition of facts, thanks to tens of thousands of dollars spent by the Concerned Catholics of Guam to legally expose the title mess, mounting evidence that RMS was a sham seminary, and compounded by the daily drumbeat of ever more clergy sex abuse allegations, left Byrnes no option. So he closed it.

And since then, the neocats had been out for his head. 

Byrnes' shut down of the Guam RMS was the first tear in the RMS artery and the neocats knew that it could lead to severe bleeding of evermore RMS's around the world by bishops who have similar misgivings about what is really going on there, functionally crippling the neocats priest-production system and undermining their cardinal-making power.

So to fix the problem, Byrnes had to be 1) run out of town; 2) replaced with a neocat bishop - or a boot licker - who would then decry Byrnes' "mistake," and 3) resurrect RMS. 

They have accomplished step 1. We await to see if they will do the next two. 

As a P.S. Readers may recall that there was a "mystery" group which was first given the go ahead to purchase the former RMS property after the archdiocese declared bankruptcy. They even put down a large deposit. But when it came time to coming up with the balance, they disappeared. The property was eventually purchased by a developer and turned into apartments. Meanwhile, there are now many other church properties on the chopping block. We should keep an eye on who is buying them. 

And a P.P.S. There are some who wonder why I personally care so much about this and why I invest so much time and care in keeping this ugly thing in the public's face. Answer: Byrnes wasn't the only guy they wanted to run out of town. 

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. 

AND SO THEY CRUSHED HIM. PART II. WHY AND HOW.

By Tim Rohr

This is Part II of AND SO THEY CRUSHED HIM

In the wake of the Archdiocesan announcement about Archbishop Byrnes being away on extended medical leave, and the otherwise probing report by Kandit News suggesting a bit more sinister scenario (to which JW responded “And so they crushed him”), perhaps its time to look back on a few questions that some of us have had from the outset of Byrnes’ appointment to Guam. 

Given the scandals that began to break in 2013 and which eventually led to Byrnes’ appointment as coadjutor archbishop to the Archdiocese of Agana (“AOA”) in 2016, it was always a suspicion of those of us close to the action that the Byrnes’ appointment was not just odd, but smelled of meddling by “The Kikos.” 

Note: “The Kikos” on this blog refers to the political hierarchy of the Neocatechumenal Way and not its ordinary members, who otherwise are usually just regular Catholics looking to deepen their faith. 

FIRST, at the time of Byrnes’ appointment, AOA was perhaps the most troubled diocese in the whole Catholic world.

Let’s review: 

1) Apuron’s surreptitious deeding away of the “Yona Property” * to The Kikos had been uncovered; 

2) Four people had come forward publicly and alleged sexual abuse by Apuron beginning the exposure of what would become the largest sex abuse scandal in the Catholic world; 

3) Apuron had fled Guam and had surfaced at the Vatican under what appeared to be the protection of Pope Francis; 

4) the Vatican had appointed an Apostolic Administrator (Savio Hon Tai Fai), a lieutenant of "The Red Pope," of whom we will say more later; and 

5) due much to Hon’s mismanagement - or The Red Pope's directions to Hon, lay Catholics had risen up and had pushed through legislation lifting the civil statute of limitations on sex abuse of minors, opening the door to litigation and bankruptcy for AOA. 

* The “Yona Property” is in reference to the former Accion Hotel Property that was converted in the RMS seminary in or about 2002. The property was estimated to be valued at or around 75 MILLION DOLLARS by then-AOA counsel, Edward Terlaje. 

AND SO THEY CRUSHED HIM

Five years ago, this month, the infamous Redemptoris Mater Seminary was closed by Archbishop Michael Byrnes. 

Coincidentally, today, Kandit News ran a story about the absence of Archbishop Byrnes and his suspected health issues. 

We will have more to say about the Kandit story later, but there is little doubt that the “crushers” ("The Kikos") who run the Neocatechumenal Way have made Archbishop Byrnes pay for daring to be the first bishop in the world to close one of their fake seminaries.

And so they crushed him.

Go here to a local media interview with Archbishop Byrnes about his closure of the seminary in 2017. 

Go here for Part II of this story. 

BETTER LATE THAN NEVER

 (Posted by Frenchie)

For Months now, this site has pleaded for the Archbishop to lead.

Lead the Archdiocese, lead on morality, lead about the challenges facing this Island, lead the Clergy.

Lead the Chancery.

After several years in the Shadows, it is good to see Archbishop Byrnes finally taking some cautious steps in the public arena of our Island. It is about time that he uses the Bully Pulpit of his office to give some clear directions for the Catholics of Guam, but also to challenge our civilian leaders, who are obviously so lacking at so many levels.

Yesterday, on September 16, 2021 Archbishop Byrnes in a letter to the editor posted in the Guam Daily Post , affirmed his strong opposition to the wanton killing of unborn babies, following last week poorly argumented and poorly researched decision of Federal Judge Tydginco-Gatewood, after several devious moves by Adelup's leading advocate for Abortion on Guam, who allied herself with local attorneys representing the Eugenic camp, and a couple of University professors from Hawaii with medical licenses on Guam, obtained at the last moment, in order to be able to file a couple of lawsuits. It is ironic to watch these activists circumvent the will of the people, (through their elected officials) by using the courts as a wedge.

While several of the Catholic groups tried to alert the public at large, the lackluster defense by the office of the Attorney General, the devious and deceitful manipulations of the administration of Governor Lou Leon Guerrero/Cook, and an unusually highly political maneuver by a Federal Judge, who is normally a lot more circumspect, all contributed to the ruling in favor of online "Morning After "prescription of pills for chemical abortion, by out of State doctors, who actually are medical professors/activists. Again ironic, to see people arguing for the "health of women" use a highly toxic chemical to force an abortion, while the data shows the long term dangers to the women taking that poison.

While all this was happening, the Chancery was asleep at the wheel. So it is a pleasant surprise to read the Archbishop's letter. Even if it is tantamount to closing the barn door, after the horses ran away..

You can read the letter Here

Another pleasant surprise was the letter to the faithful, which was also relayed in Friday's paper by the Post, in which the Archbishop gives good advises regarding several issues of contention facing the whole population of Guam during these challenging times.

These public statements by Archbishop Byrnes are very welcome, and definitely a step in the right direction for the Chancery. It has been too long since we had heard clear and concise guidelines by the leader of our local Church. Let us pray that this the beginning of a positive trend.

HOW THE MC CARRICK STORY TIES WITH OUR STRUGGLE WITH THE NCW HERE ON GUAM

 (Posted by Frenchie)

The original three of the NCW

AKA

The Trinity of Evil

While Carmen has left this earthly environment, creating a huge vacuum in the organization of the NCW, because she was the brain trust of the operation; the inside struggle for power continues with the Genarrini brothers jockeying for the control of the money machine, and its propaganda wing.

Carmen was not yet in the ground, that Kiko's backers were already clamoring for the Sainthood of the departed. This of course was received with great enthusiasm by the followers of the sect, while most real Catholics were shaking their head in disbelief. This is why it is essential that we understand how the Vatican proceeds, and how Kiko and his ilks are using corruption and influence peddling to influence and divert the process to their advantage.

The infamous Diana

 

 

This blog, thanks to its countless readers and participants has been able to unveil some of that process over the years. Recently we were contacted by a concerned Denver Catholic, whose parish is being slowly taken over by the NCW. This concerned Denver Catholic ended up reading many posts from this blog, as well as the "Thoughtful Catholic" blog, in order to comprehend what he was facing.

He was particularly interested in a post I made on the feast of St Michael the Archangel (September 29, 2016) almost 5 years ago. This post was titled : "it really makes a lot of sense, when you put all the pieces of the puzzle together". It can be found 

HERE

What is so interesting in that inquiry by a Concerned Catholic  from Denver, (which is one of the original point of development of the NCW in the USA)....is the fact that good honest Catholics have no clue about what is going on in their own Diocese of Denver, after so many years of presence and work by the Neos, and how deeply rooted the NCW is in Colorado. It demonstrates the great duplicity and excellent talent of the NCW leadership to hide in plain sight, until it is too late when the laity finally realizes what is going on, in their own parishes. The cancer has already spread all over.

Perhaps many Catholics in Denver are still unaware of Kiko's church within the Church. We on Guam cannot pretend we do not know, yet despite their coverup for Apuron, their using of the Chancery as a political tool, their diversion of funds at several levels, the Neos on Guam have not been held to account. Despite a public stance, demanding obedience and abiding to canon law, Archbishop Byrnes has done almost nothing to bring the Neos to the fold. No longer able to meet at the fake seminary in Yona, they opened a new center in Asan in October of 2019. Many Neos when thinking they are in a friendly environment refer to this new "meeting" place as "our Church".

All this has been reported, yet Archbishop Byrnes has done nothing. Again, he has been empowered by Cardinal Filoni, with instructions, unknown to us officially. If we believe the neo's saying: " you can judge the tree, by the fruits it produces". If that is the case, it looks like Archbishop Byrnes real mission was to buy time and provide cover for the NCW on Guam. If you have any doubt, please look at the fruits..... Still prolytising, still recruiting, still undermining, still celebrating their heretical services, still advancing an agenda of conquest and submission of the Church to their sect.

 

It is certainly not the priests that Archbishop Byrnes is surrounding himself with, that are going to make a difference. Fr Ronald is too busy gathering power, and preparing the next victim to be thrown under the Bus (any bets?), and he is fairly close to several Neo presbyters. While the vicar of the Clergy Fr Mike has been so compromised by Fr Harold, that he has become their latest little puppet. 

 

Archbishop Jose Rodriguez Carballo

Secretary of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated life and Societies of Apostolic Life

It seems that the Vatican is fully aware of the type of challenges the NCW and other groups like them bring into the equation, as stated by the Above mentioned Archbishop Jose Rodriguez Carballo in a recent interview which you can find

Here

While the NCW was abetting Apuron on Guam, they also use their strong relationship with Cardinal Mc Carrick to open two seminaries, and expend their footprint in the USA. They also used his influence to open missions in several locations, and allow many of the NCW presbyters to be Pastors of parishes who were left at the mercy of the Genarrini mafia. Of course they made sure to cover up his proclivities, when they did not facilitate his sins, as they did with  Apuron. The best proof, being that they even built a nice suite in one of their seminary for him to retire. Knowing full well of his strong attraction to young seminarians.

Now that the Michigan administration is back on island, let see if they will address the continued disrespect the NCW has for them, or NOT?

Lets watch also if the failed priests like Fr Mike, will be called to order, or if Archbishop Byrnes will overlook these grave issues in order to advance his new upcoming agenda? 

ARCHDIOCESE OF AGANA, A SHIP WITHOUT A CAPTAIN WITH AN UPCOMING STORM

 (POSTED BY FRENCHIE)

    

After suffering directly and indirectly from the catastrophic 30 years administration of  the corrupt and deviant Anthony Apuron, we have had great hopes during the past five years, that something would change for the better. After a promising start, we are awakening with the feeling of a very bad hangover.

While we are discovering with horror a succession of gross errors, and a total lack of reactions from the Chancery, to what is nothing less than gross deviations by some of our priests, and the continued open rebellion to the authority of the Archbishop  by the NCW; it has become apparent that Archbishop Byrnes, for reasons not quite fully clear at this time, is not really in control of a situation deteriorating fast. We are at the eve a powerful storm, and the Captain of our ship is not here.

We have seen in a previous article, that both the Archbishop and the Chancellor are off island, and that the Vicar General gave his resignation. Ergo, there is nobody in charge at the Chancery, beside the same usual suspects who are left over from the Apuron Administration.

This is the reason why the latest incident regarding the Pastor of one of the largest and wealthiest parish, is so disheartening.

Pale Mike Crisostomo.

 

Pale Mike is the Pastor of the St Anthony and St Victor Parish in Tamuning.

He is also Vicar for the Clergy.

Beside these two very important positions, he also sits on the following: 

College of Consultors

Presbyteral Council

Liturgical committee

Plus he is also the Executive Director for the Ministry to the Homeless

Basically it is hard not to bump into Pale Mike, if you hang around the Chancery, or participate in the many activities of the Church.

This hyperactivity does not seem to stop Pale Mike, for being involved in the running of the School at St Anthony, despite his obvious conflict of interests with his brother as the School Principal, and the privileged relationship he has with the School board president.

Another involvement of Pale Mike, is his strong ties with the GLBTQ "community".

Mike is a good friend and strong supporter of Lt Governor Josh Tenorio, highly lauded in his "quality" of the first openly gay Lt Governor in the United States. Granted, there is nothing wrong being friend with the Lt Governor. Yet a priest like Pale Mike, with such a public and moral standing, should according to Catholic teachings, use his influence to try to save the soul of his friend and the cohorts of SJWs that hang around his coat tails, rather than abetting a lifestyle contrary to Church teachings. Many of our brothers and sisters with strong attractions for people of the same sex, do try to live a life of self effacement and prayers, in communion with the Church. It is a constant struggle for countless good Catholics whose cross it is to carry. Guam being a small island, we all know of friends or familly members who face that daily, and very personal struggle. Jesus taught us to love the sinner, while hating the sin. As far as priests with the same proclivities, just like their "straight" colleagues, they have taken a vow of celibacy. We have seen with Apuron, Cristobal, and many other priests that some of these priests put little value onto their vow. Just as we have seen other priests engaged in scandalous relations with some women, some of them siring children left to suffer in silence. None of these failures should be accepted and/or condoned. On paper at least, the Archdiocese condemn such behaviors. This is why it is so shocking and disheartening when you find out that a priest, in this case Pale Mike Crisostomo engaged in a serious violation of these principles.

 

So? What are we talking about?See Here ( Homily around 40')

 Pale Mike took it upon himself to celebrate a mass for the LGBTQ "community". Basically, a step forward in introducing  the CRT hateful divisions into the only true Catholic and Apostolic Church. In his homily he basically used the Judeo-Protestant canard of WWJD (what would Jesus do) to justify blaming the Church for its teaching, and endorsing the "victim" status of the  LGBTQ minority, going as far as to label  one of the local activist  (aka Glenn) as a modern St Peter!! He also allowed as lector a person who obviously is not in good standing with the Church.

Reaching to the LGBTQ community in a pastoral way might be useful, (even though I believe a person to person approach is more efficient than a group characterization) it is after all the role of the Shepperd to bring his sheep  back into the fold. Some have done so in the past. Unfortunately the exhortation to find the right passage back to the Church cannot be confused with the wanton endorsement of sin, the apology of the sinner, and the endorsement of a lifestyle contrary to Jesus teachings.

 Pale Mike is gravely erring when he attempts to mimic the infamous (and well connected) Fr. Martin SJ, who has all the cunning of a Jesuit upbringing, (which  Fr Mike is so painfully lacking). His poorly worded homily, his confusion about what would Jesus do, rather than what would Jesus teach, instead of helping the community he tries to reach out to, ends up shocking the common faithful who are for the most part offended and confused, as well as comforting his intended target in their errors. This type of gross deviation of the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ, coming from someone who likes to picture himself as the next Bishop is extremely disheartening to the Guam Catholic community, it brings divisions,  and tensions where none were needed, at a critical time in the history of this Archdiocese.

As the Apostle John reminded us:"Every spirit that divided Jesus, is not of God; and this is the antichrist, of whom you have heard that he comes; and is now already in the world." (I John4:3)

The Catholic faithful of the Agana Archdiocese did not need this, at a time of difficult reorganization during the bankruptcy proceedings, and when we are facing continued and renewed challenges from that Sect called the NCW. The question now is: What will Archbishop Byrnes do to correct his priest? 

 

Archbishop Byrnes! We need your undivided attention!

Please take the right step to teach your priests, unburden Fr Mike of the obvious load he cannot carry, and help him find the right path. There is no way such a failed theologian could be of any help to you and the archdiocese in any other capacity, but a Parish priest. (even this remains to be proven)

Fr Mike! if you have any sense of decency, you should resign from the many hats you are wearing!

You have just proven to all of us, that you are not capable.

Your obvious conflict of interests, and some of the personal decisions you have taken are disqualifying you in the eyes of many Catholics on Guam. Being a Pastor, a Shepperd, takes a lot more than what you can offer at this time. Beware not to become a new Adrian Cristobal. I would personally hate to see you fall to that level.

Meanwhile I shall request that we all pray for Pale Mike and our brothers and sisters of the LGTB tendencies.

IS THIS LATEST MOVE LEGAL? SURE DOES NOT LOOK LIKE IT.

 (Posted by Frenchie)

Fr Ronald Richards JCL

aka

The white colonizer.

From this picture it would seem that this man, really does not want to stay on Guam. One might even ask why he would have agreed to follow Archbishop Byrnes to Agana as a priest on loan from the Archdiocese of Detroit?

 

Fr Richards likes to remind  everyone that he is a "lawyer".

This is highly misleading, because Fr Richards holds a JCL, which is a licentiate of Canon law (the law of the Catholic Church) A licentiate is a degree necessary for you to pursue your Doctorate.

Doctor of Canon Law, is a JCD, not a JCL .

We do have two  other JCL in the Archdiocese of Agana, plus one JCD "off island" (Msg Quitagua). Perhaps he should consult with the real JCD to insure that the Archdiocese is actually following Canon Law. Of course that would be ironic, since Msg Quitagua was one of the cornerstone of the Apuron administration, who did not recognize the legitimacy of Abp Byrnes when he was Coadjutor. But then again, the Chancery is still full of key players who had a vital role during the Apuron administration.

According to the Chancery own official documentation:

"The Archdiocese of Agana Chancery (also referred to as the archdiocesan Curia) is organized in eight offices".

*the office of the Chancellor

*the office of Finance

*the office of Temporal affairs

*the office of Human resources

*the office of safe environment

*the office of communication

*the office of Catholic Education

*the office of Metropolitan Tribunal 

Furthermore, we are told:

"Additionally the office of the Vicar General moderates the work of the Archdiocesan Curia and ensures the priorities and directives of the Archbishop are followed."

So far, and at first sight it all looks fairly clear and above board. Yet something is not quite right, as some people would obviously like the general public to believe. Something is slightly askew.

For several years now, and until very recently, the person who had accepted the burden of Vicar General was Fr Jeff  San Nicolas.

Whatever you might think about Fr Jeff, he did fulfilled his duties without much fanfare, some vicious minds even said without much discernment,or energy. Yet he held the helm as best as he could despite some difficult circumstances, and without much support from anywhere.(specially during the repeated absences of Abp Byrnes) Not an easy task, no matter how you cut it.

From what we have been able to gather, a strong disagreement between Fr Jeff and Bsp Byrnes did occur, with tempers flaring and the decibel level reaching  unusual levels. While Fr Jeff is still listed as a member of the College of Consultors, as well as of the Presbyteral council, he is now listed as Parochial vicar at St Anthony, St Victor parish in Tamuning.( It is to be noted that neither group has met recently, as it should normally do.) This is where things get a little peculiar. After the official line about the role of the Vicar General, in the spot where Fr Jeff used to have his coordinate as Vicar General, we find in its stead the following :

Fr Ronald S Richards, JCL

Special assistant to the Archbishop/Episcopal Vicar/ Chancellor

Then we find the info regarding Monica Taimango

Administrative Assistant to the Vicar General

The big problem of course being that there is no Vicar General, but an Episcopal Vicar.

From the way things are presented on the Chancery's site, it is obvious that the Episcopal Vicar has taken over the duties of the Vicar General. Of course the guy in its recliner reading these lines, will say:"What does it matter, if we have an Episcopal vicar instead of a Vicar General"?

This is the reason I did request a clarification from the communication director, about an official communication (aka Aviso) from the chancery, about the change of responsibilities for either Fr Jeff  or Fr Ron. Yet 96 hours after that request, I did not even received, the lame excuse given to the  Guam Daily Post about the contract of Mr Perez at Fr Duenas Memorial School, which was that Mr Diaz did not comment on personnel matters. I have looked high and low about any communication regarding the Vicar General, without any luck.

It is now evident that despite all the promises made by Archbishop Byrnes upon his arrival on Guam, that he would be transparent and forthcoming. The communication director, Mr Tony Diaz obviously has not changed his bad habits acquired during the Apuron administration. Or perhaps, Fr Richards, the omnipotent, all knowing white savior of the Archdiocese, has given strict instruction about not communicating. What is it Tony?

  Tony might think that he is a dedicated servant of the Archdiocese, but keeping silent about the official position of the Chancery or Apostolic Curia, while being the director of one of the eight offices of this Curia, does not meet with the Archbishop promises of transparency.

According to Canon law, regarding the organization of Dioceses. The post of vicar general is mandatory, while the post apostolic vicar is optional. The post of Chancellor, as the official holder of records, is also mandatory, and both post should be separated.

 

Is this the reason Fr Richards opted for a post of Episcopal Vicar? Why is Archbishop Byrnes letting this fly, while he is well aware of the official structure a Diocese is supposed to have?

Most of all why give all that power to an individual who is so dismissive of local people and local habits, while  pretending to be open and above board. The Archbishop has talked the Talk. Now is the time to walk the walk. If this did not happen, the push back from the faithful could be even more decisive than against the corrupt Apuron.

 

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT FR RONALD RICHARDS, AND WHY

 (Posted by Frenchie)

Fr. Ronald Richards, JCL

 

While most people knew who Adrian Cristobal was, very few mourned his departure and shameful end , and his subsequent escape from our beautiful island. On the other hand few are the residents of Guam who have any idea who Fr. Ronald Richards is, and what are his responsibilities in the Archdiocese of Agana.

This is the reason why many will be stunned to find out that Fr Richards is probably the second most powerful person at the Chancery of the Archdiocese, right after the Archbishop himself. While some might have thought that the Adrian Cristobal dictatorial days were gone for good, it seems like Fr Richards never got the memo, as he eagerly entered the gap left by a distracted Bishop.

In order to get a better grasp on this reality, we have to go back to the arrival of Archbishop Byrnes in late 2016 as the Coadjutor with full administrative and Pastoral power.  He took over from Archbishop Hon who had been dispatched to Guam to clean up the mess left by Apuron, following his flight from the Archdiocese.

Apuron and his minions struggled for almost five years, with this blog, a growing number of the local press, the CCOG, the Laity forward movement and countless Catholics. It was logical that the island's faithful greeted Archbishop Byrnes with a great sigh of relief,  a big thirst for renewal, and a true sense of vindication.

 

 The task of Archbishop Byrnes has been from the start a very difficult one. This was one of the main reason that he felt he needed the input of someone he thought he could trust. That someone apparently ended being Fr Richards. Fr Richards is not incardinated in Agana, but rather is "on Loan" from the Archdiocese of Detroit

Unfortunately, after five years, it seems more and more obvious that this trust (based on a long acquaintance dating back to a time before any of the two men, even became priests of the Archdiocese of Detroit) has been misplaced, or abused by the recipient of that trust. Back in Detroit Fr Richards had had a fairly mundane career after his incardination being posted in parishes like St Hugo of the Hills in Bloomfield Hills in Michigan and St John Newman parish in Canton MI.

Yet at the same time, thanks to his Canon law studies he was granted access to several prestigious posts.

As a Canon Lawyer for the Archdiocese of Detroit, he sat on the Tribunal, he also taught "intro to canon law" at the St Cyril Methodius Seminary, as well having a post of mentor  at the Sacred Heart Major Seminary (where Archbishop Byrnes had held several positions before becoming Vice Rector in 2004, and Dean of formation)

Fr Richards arrived on Guam a few months after Archbishop Byrnes, but while Archbishop Byrnes made strong efforts to understand the island culture and even read in Chamoru, Fr Byrnes never even tried, choosing instead to have a very condescending, almost colonialist approach. "Everything is much better in Detroit, we do this, we do that"......on and on. Quickly earning him the title of white chief priest. I must confess being dumbfounded a couple of times by his superiority complex, once while attending a catholic men's conference, and another time while listening to his lecturing on the Catholic radio station.

The first and unique duty of Fr Richards, was to be a special advisor to the Archbishop. This in itself made a lot of sense, at a time when the Archbishop was trying to find his bearings, and rationalize a very complex and controversial situation. While many people had some concerns, which were rooted in their past experience with Apuron and his eminence grise, the nefarious Fr Pius. The large majority of faithful never thought twice about it, and most of them never even heard of Fr Richards.

Fr Pius Samnut (NCW)

Unfortunately, after a series of unlikely events, it seems that we are going in that very same toxic situation, where one priest has gained undue influence on the Archbishop, and has become able to control all the levers of power in the Chancery.

More details to come on the powers of Fr Richards

ARE THE CATHOLIC FAITHFUL OF GUAM BEING BETRAYED, YET ANOTHER TIME?

( Posted by Frenchie)

 

 

This Sunday August 16th 2020, shall remain a day in infamy.

 

The Catholic faithful of Guam have had to face decades of challenges and difficulties.

The invasion of the island by Japanese troops, on December 8 1941 was followed by the deportation of most of the Catholic priests to Japan, and the exile of our Bishop to the Philippines.

During the Japanese occupation, only two Chamorro priests remained, and catholic priests from Japan were imported.

We all know the tragic death of our blessed Father Duenas, who unlike many of the priests of today's Church , did not hesitate to face evil in defense of his own beliefs.

After the occupation and liberation of Guam, the faithful had to endure outside masses held by military chaplains, already overwhelmed by their duties to the many troops housed on the island.

 

Bishop Baumgartner took on the task to rebuild the parishes' churches, as well as to wrest away from military authorities the right to open parochial schools, and find enough  priests to tend his flock.

We have seen that unfortunately, some devious characters infiltrated the ranks of our priests, with the consequences we now know.

Archbishop Flores, for better or for worse, and like many of his brothers at the time, swept under the rug, what he knew were evil priests that abused their sheep, mentally, physically and too often  sexually as well. This was our first betrayal. 

 

Guam's Church had to survive more than thirty years under the corrupted leadership of the sexual offender Apuron, who was aided and abetted by a few corrupt clericalist, and the silence of countless others.

This was the second and deepest betrayal.

When Apuron was exiled by Pope Francis, never to return, many felt relieved and vindicated.One of the reason for these feelings was the arrival of Archbishop Byrnes.

A cleric very different from Apuron. self effacing, approachable, willing to listen to all, without preconditions. This was for many a breath of fresh air,  a much welcome departure from the dictatorial approach of Apuron and his minions.

Many measures were taken to heal the deep wounds inflicted on this Church by Apuron.The chancery opened their hearts and ears to the survivors, and the greatest majority of the faithful were appeased and consoled by this new approach.  

The Archbishop put some restrictions on the once almighty NCW, even as he continued to be frustrated by their defiance and refusal to recognize his authority.Overall, one might say, that for the large majority of the Catholics of this island, Archbishop Byrnes was a welcome change.

 

For some of us, more in tune with the realities of our church, several issues caught our attention which made us pause, and be concerned about some of the details.Yet the consensus was to let the Archbishop do his job and support him to the best of everyone's own abilities.

*For my part, the biggest question mark, was and remains the fact that Archbishop Byrnes was chosen by Cardinal Filoni.

Cardinal Filoni, has not been our friend over the years, to the contrary. He has been one of the leading patrons of the NCW  and its leaders, here and abroad. Had Archbishop Byrnes met with Filoni, earlier in his career, when he studied in Rome? What were the arrangements behind this "promotion"? Were promises made to the Archbishop?

We certainly do not have the answers to these questions, and can only surmise at this point and time.Suffice to say, that this is the kind of second guessing that makes you scratch uncomfortably the back of your neck.

The second alarm bell went off, when after much commotions and hesitations, the Archbishop appointed his personal friend and confident Fr Ronald Richards as the Chancellor, and special assistant to the Archbishop. One can understand why the Archbishop would nominate Fr. Ronald to these positions, when you consider his lack of trusted priests around him, and the overt rebellion he was facing from the NCW presbyters.

 

At the same time, in hindsight, this was probably the worse choice of personnel made by the Archbishop.Fr. Ron does not like being on Guam, (he is on Loan from the Archdiocese of Detroit).Fr Ron thinks he is the best thing since sliced bred, and he is not shy about saying so.Basically he believes that most of us here on this little island are some kind of country bumpkins.

As some of the pro independence advocates on Guam would say, he has a colonizer complex of superiority. Something I heard in several quarters around the island. (which is not a good omen). In 2018 Fr Ron was the main proponent of the memo that went out to all Catholics about not taking sides in the election, under the danger of loosing our tax status.(not what I would consider the first duty of a priest)

This lukewarm decision, was to lead to a vacuum of leadership for the Catholics who opposed Lou Leon Guerrero, for her life long dedication to the murder of innocent local babies for the past four decades. The consequences of this election are tied up to the disastrous situation we are now facing as an Archdiocese, and an island.

Earlier this year, the Archbishop officially received his pallium from the hands of our new Nuncio, who made the long trip from New Zealand. Several Bishops were in attendance for this nice ceremony. Just two months later the Governor of Guam: Lourdes Leon Guerrero, who had taken office barely a year earlier, declared an emergency, that would change the life of this island and of its Catholic community for years to come.

 

Our governor the CINO in chief for Guam, took it upon herself to trample our 1st amendment rights and stop all religious services. Finally after two long months where no faithful were able to receive the holy sacraments, the liturgical committee, and their contacts at the department of health worked out a series of preventive measures in order to reopen the Churches in a safe environment. Yet the head of the department at the time, Mrs De Norcey erred on the side of dictatorial decision and denied the reopening of the Churches, and sacraments. Fr Gofigan, the head of the liturgical commission, finally had enough and during one of his online homily, he blew the whistle on the shenanigans of Mrs de Norcey and Adelup. Since this was relayed online by the social medias, the scandal blew up, and forced the Archbishop to grow a spine and demand for the reopening of churches. This did not sit well with the Chancellor, and father Gofigan was silenced for standing up for all Catholics on Guam.

While many had been elated by the escape and departure of the former Chancellor, Fr Adrian Cristobal,  the accused child abuser (now on the run). It is hard not to be reminded by the actions of Fr Ron,  about the evil ruling period of Fr. Cristobal. The methods, the lack of integrity, and the propensity to think the faithful are stupid and easily manipulated, are shockingly similar, and frankly quite insulting. The feeling of being an untouchable is probably at the core of this distasteful situation.

Move forward a little over two months. The governor, being a mediocre administrator, facing an increase of Wuhan cases, mostly due to an increase of testing, and not having anticipating the situation decided to re-confine the island.

Upon learning of the Governor's intention, the liturgical committee made recommendations to the chancery, about keeping the churches opened, and continuing with the very successful protocol that had been put in place in all parishes. Protocol, which frankly is a lot more conscientious and advanced that most businesses and medical facilities.

As of Friday afternoon, the Archbishop  agreed that the  parishes should remained opened, while having all the precautions necessary in place.

In the meantime, Fr Ron was working the back channels, and had talked with the Governor, which led to the Archbishop also calling the Governor, and reversing his original decision.

The third betrayal.

Tony Diaz the communication chief of the Archdiocese was asked to prepare a news release. He did so, but Fr Ron again, intervened and had Mr Diaz add the phrase, "Archbishop Byrnes, consulting with the Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission"  which was placed at the beginning of the communique, to give the impression that the Commission had acquiesced, which in itself is grossly misleading.

Indeed the commission recommendation were in opposition to go back to parking lot celebrations, and the large majority of the clergy, including some of the fearful ones thought that keeping the masses going was the right thing to do.

This kind of deceitful and dishonest approach is still too fresh in our minds to be accepted from a Chancellor, even if he is a close friend of the Archbishop. Actually, specially because he is a friend of the Archbishop. Perhaps, it is time that Fr Richards returns to his beloved Michigan, and leave these country bumpkins deal with the challenges of our faith.

Archbishop Byrnes upon his return on October 2nd should make it a priority to right this wrong, at the chancery. You just need to go in the parking lot of your parish to see, and hear the deep distress of the parishioners, and their painful loss of trust, in what started as a hopeful administration of the Archdiocese. This is most likely the end of the honeymoon period for Archbishop Byrnes, at least until he gets the next assignment he is expecting. A sad development indeed.

In the meantime, it would not be a bad idea for each of you to contact the Chancery and let them know how you feel about this latest betrayal.

A LESSON TO THE WORLD IN WHAT THE LITTLE PEOPLE CAN DO

In this past Sunday's Umatuna (the "newspaper of the Archdiocese of Agana, Guam") there was printed on page 6 an article entitled: Shepherding amid scandal: Archbishops talk about healing." 

The author of the article is Cindy Wooden of the Catholic News Service and the editor's note says that the article was based on a June 2019 CNS interview with Archbishop Byrnes.

The article begins:

ROME - The first time Archbishop Michael J. Byrnes of Agana, Guam, celebrated Mass in his cathedral, he had to cross a picket line to do so.

and goes on to state:

When he arrived in 2016, protesters had been gathering outside the cathedral before every Mass the former archbishop celebrated. To celebrate his first Mass there, Byrnes had to cross the picket line.

This is FALSE. 

First, Archbishop Byrnes did not have to "cross a picket line" to enter the Cathedral. The Cathedral has multiple entrances, including the entrance from the sacristy. The picketers did not block any of the entrances, restricting their activity to the public sidewalk in front of the Cathedral.

Second, Archbishop Byrnes actually JOINED the picketers in a gesture of solidarity. The Pacific Daily News memorialized the Archbishop's "joining" the picketers in its news report dated February 2, 2017:

Four days after briefly joining peaceful protest in front of the cathedral, Coadjutor Archbishop Michael Jude Byrnes said he supports and respects clergy sex abuse victims’ and their supporters’ quest for justice, which he said is ongoing both at the Vatican and in the civil courts.

Third, it was not his first Mass. Archbishop Byrnes came to Guam in 2016, and the one time he JOINED the picketers was on January 29, 2017, as the Pacific Daily News memorializes:

Cindy Wooden also reports that Guam's Catholics "were in an uproar." 

The appointment “was a little overwhelming,” the archbishop said. Guam was far away and Catholics there were in an uproar.

This is also FALSE.

Other than praying the rosary and singing hymns, the public protests and picketing were absolutely silent. And almost all of the participants were elderly, some even "walking" the picket line in their wheelchairs and walkers. 

It is very doubtful that Archbishop Byrnes gave CNS such false and destructive information, so it is either the CNS author embellishing her story or the information came from someone else in the chancery, and perhaps from the same people who tried to paint us as an angry mob when Apuron was still running things. 

Such false dramatization hurts the Church. If there is anything that happened on Guam it is lesson to the rest of the Catholic world in what the "little people" can do, did do, and still do. 

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CLERICALISM? .

From a culture of silence to cover-ups: How Guam ended up with 280 clergy sex abuse claims

A 9-year-old boy confided in his grandmother on several occasions that the parish priest was sexually abusing him.

The grandmother spanked the boy, identified in court documents only by C.B.D. to protect his privacy. She lectured him that the priest was "God's representative and not capable of such actions."

CONTINUED

A CALL TO LOOK AT OURSELVES IN THE MIRROR

Posted by Frenchie

Yesterday, the local media reported on the latest reflection of Archbishop Byrnes

regarding the consequences of the still growing sexual abuse scandal, not on the material side of the issue, but on the spiritual side of it.

Archbishop Byrnes also brought to the fore, the problems tied to the Abortion issue, and his analysis of the reasons and consequences of this problem, as it faces us as a community.

(both social and religious)

You can read the Archbishop comments 

Here

His analysis being, that over the last decades on Guam, we have experienced the development of what he describe a "hardness of Heart"

His analysis, forces us to reflect on the many effects of that hardness of heart on our community, and the role, or lack of resistance we are guilty of in letting that hardness, spread throughout our island.

We should all reflect on this very troubling evaluation.

It is a welcome new approach, for our archbishop to force us to look in the mirror

PACIFIC ISLAND TIMES: "DEMYSTIFYING THE WAY."

The Neocatechumenal Way inspires commitment, stirs controversy

MY COMMENT

The entire controversy would go away if the NCW Catechist(s) for Guam would simply submit the NCW Catechetical Directory to Archbishop Byrnes for his review and approval. As the Ordinary of this Archdiocese, his is canonically the sole authority to approve or disapprove of its doctrine and practice, as was Apuron before him (though Apuron never bothered to ask for it). 

The fact that after more than two years of asking for the Directory, the local NCW "authorities" continue to deny Archbishop Byrnes this simple request, is WHY the controversy continues. 

The entire Catholic Church has made its "directory" (i.e. the Catechism of the Catholic Church) universally available in every possible format, but the local NCW "authorities" continue to deny this very kind Archbishop even a glimpse of what the NCW "catechists" officially teach. In fact, they abuse him, telling him if he wants a copy, he has to ask Rome. (Note to NCW "authorities": HE IS ROME.)

That the NCW continues to exist at all in thIS Archdiocese is a testament to the great kindness and mercy of OUR NEW ARCHBISHOP. 

I put that in CAPS because now, with the final demise of Apuron and the elevation of Archbishop Byrnes to the "cathedra" (i.e. "the chair") by Pope Francis, Archbishop Byrnes is now OUR BISHOP. 

And I put "OUR BISHOP" in CAPS because the main argument by the NCW "authorities" has always been "Byrnes is NOT our bishop. Apuron is our bishop." But now, with Byrnes reception of the Pallium, to continue to hold this position is to place oneself OUTSIDE the Catholic Church (i.e. Latae sententiae - automatically excommunicated).

Now that Archbishop Byrnes is certainly, canonically, and officially OUR ARCHBISHOP, will the NCW "authorities" humbly present the NCW Catechetical Directory to a true descendant of the Apostles or will they continue to follow Martin Luther out of the one true Church?

The Pope will hand over the Pallium to 31 Metropolitan Archbishops, 13 of whom are Ordinaries from territories entrusted to the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, from Africa (8), Asia (4) and Oceania (1). Their names, in order of appointment...Mgr. Michael Jude BYRNES, Archbishop of Agaña (Guam)...

Note: I refer to NCW "authorities" because these are the true "responsibles." Most "members" of the NCW are truly good people who have found solace in what, sadly, their "traditional" pastors and priests never offered them, because, as we are now seeing, they were too busy pursuing pervetred sexual pleasures. Still, despite the gross sinfulness of these "Judases", WE HAVE JESUS AND HIS CHURCH. And because "the gates of Hell will NOT prevail," we have NO excuse NOT to follow HIM. 

WHY IS THE ISSUANCE OF THE PALLIUM TO ARCHBISHOP BYRNES IS SUCH A BIG DEAL

(Posted by Frenchie)

The Umatuna Newspaper has covered extensively for several weeks the Pallium attribution by Pope Francis to the 31 new Metropolitan Archbishops.

Archbishop Byrnes, as Archbishop of Agana, is the Metropolitan Archbishop of the archdiocese of Agana, and Archbishop to the suffragans of the diocese of Chalan Kanoa, the diocese of the Caroline Islands and of the Apostolic Prefecture of the Marshall Islands.

The official celebration took place this past Saturday, which marks the feast day of both 

St Peter (the patron Saint of Rome) and St Paul. (known as the two pillars of the Church)

It is therefore becoming that this highly symbolical handing down of the Papal authority should take place on that most special feast day.

If you want more explanation on the pallium, its history and significance Read Here

for an excellent article from Vatican News.

The story was widely covered worldwide, and somewhat noticed here on Guam.

The Guam Post doing a better job at the coverage that either the PDN or KUAM.

Read Here

DEJA VU ALL OVER AGAIN

(Posted by Frenchie)

The standoff between our dearly departed John Toves and corrupt Adrian Cristobal

the Chancellor for Apuron, is now part of our local history.

What followed was now the infamous : "the Archbishop is innocent, for sure for sure" from Deacon Claros, who had replaced Deacon Martinez who dared call Apuron to task, in regards to the Fr.  Luis Camacho affair.

This was the perfect visualization of the corruption of the Apuron administration.

What John did not do was using foul language, or go knock on Apuron's door in the middle of the night. John remained a perfect gentleman about it. Yet the point was made in no uncertain terms.

By the same token, Junglewatch did not try to destroy the Church, as claimed by the Kikos, but instead thanks to a continuous flow of revelation and testimonies, as well as interventions with the legal Church authorities, we continued to try to protect our Church from the wolves in sheep clothing

What we got for our effort, was a flow of insults, threats and bird calls.

We were threatened with lawsuits, by reputable entities in our Church.

In return we turn the other cheek , volunteers picketed the Cathedral/Basilica, the courageous ladies of the LFM "welcome" the American leader of the NCW, Mr Genarrini and his escort at the airport.

To this day, the kikos accuse Tim of having fabricated and invented the complaints against Apuron and the cadre of corrupted people around him.

The Vatican after two and half years begged to differ.

Yet the concert of fake news continued.

Tim got personally attacked .

That being said, here comes gadfly extraordinaire Mr Torres, who based on the fact that the people at Mt Carmel met with Archbishop Byrnes, and not knowing the content of that meeting, concluded that the "Catholic Church" was guilty of coverup.

Worse, Mr Torres who otherwise can do decent investigation, is so dead set on condemning the Church and the Archbishop, rather than trying to go after the real people guilty of coverup.

Actually he is a lot more interested in doing this, that he was in pursuing his own case

See here

This more and more looks like some interested parties are pulling the strings of Mr Torres, for their own benefit.

The question remains :

Where is Adrian Cristobal?

We at junglewatch have helped expose the evil doers within the Church.

The last thing we need, is some Johnny come lately, try to capitalize on over 6 years of hard work.

Of course that is going to make a few people go mad and accuse the Jungle for shining light on all the corners of the picture, and they don't like it.