AOA Media Stories 2013 2014

Pika Year in Review #6: Church faces controversies
Pacific Daily News - Hagatna, Guam

Subjects: Catholicism; Catholic churches; Sex crimes
Author:
Gaynor Dumat-ol Daleno
Date:
Jan 1, 2015
Start Page: n/a
Section:
Pika Magazine
Document Text
The island's Catholic church and its leadership came under fire from within last year, with groups of the faithful stepping
forward publicly to criticize church actions and to call for more transparency in its finances.
After months of quietly prodding for the archdiocese to disclose the status of its assets, including title to the former
Accion Hotel property, which hosts a seminary, a group called Concerned Catholics of Guam bought an advertisement
in the Pacific Daily News, calling for public disclosure. The church responded several months later, publicly releasing
summaries of its collections and spending.
That hint of division in the local Catholic community was followed by several other publicly discussed controversies.
Archbiship Anthony Apuron fired Monsignor James Benavente as head of the Dulce de Maria Cathedral-Basilica, a
position Benavente held for two decades, citing alleged mismanagement of church finances.
The archdiocese also shut down a Benavente project, the Cathedral-Basilica's museum, before it could open to the
public despite the more than $1.12 million cost to develop it.
A few hundred Catholics held a prayer of protest at the steps of the Cathedral-Basilica, calling for the reinstatement of
the monsignor, whom the protesters called the "People's Priest."
Catholics sent numerous letters to the Vatican in protest.
The archdiocese rebutted with statements that a host of financial management problems occurred under Benavente.
However, a group of financial experts, who were once privy to the local archdiocese's finances up until they were fired,
called a press conference, saying the financial management problems predated Benavente's watch.
In December, some members of different parishes on Guam formed a non-profit called Concerned Catholics of Guam
Inc., and announced plans to investigate the management of the local church, its financial books, and the archdiocese's
handling of a sexual molestation allegation against Apuron.
The alleged abuse allegedly occurred some 30 years ago, when Apuron was a priest, and allegedly involved a high
school seminarian who hasn't stepped forward. John Toves, a relative and former co-seminarian of the alleged victim,
made the allegation, including in a letter to the Vatican.
Apuron has called the allegation a "horrible calumny," but declined to further respond, on the advice of his attorney,
because he's planning a defamation lawsuit.
A high-level Vatican official is visiting Guam's Catholic community in January, but whether the visit will be friendly, or
investigatory, is in dispute.
Archbishop Savio Hon Tai-Fai, the secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, the Vatican office to
whom some of Guam's Catholics sent letters over the past several months, is expected to visit Guam from Jan. 4 to 10.
The Vatican's delegate to the Pacific islands and another church official will accompany Hon.
"The purpose of this pastoral visit is to foster reconciliation and mutual understanding in the archdiocese," according to
the archdiocesan statement, signed by Father Adrian Cristobal on Dec. 19.
Tim Rohr, a Guam resident who writes a blog on Catholic issues, called Jungle Watch, believes the nature of the
Vatical official's visit is investigatory.
"The people who are coming -- the nature of their office is investigation," Rohr said.
ID_Code: M0-141231017
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction or distribution is prohibited without permission.
Abstract (Document Summary)
In December, some members of different parishes on Guam formed a non-profit called Concerned Catholics of Guam
Inc., and announced plans to investigate the management of the local church, its financial books, and the archdiocese's
handling of a sexual molestation allegation against Apuron.
Concerned
Catholics
group
says
church
problems
are
multiplying
WEDNESDAY, 31 DEC 2014 04:34AM
BY JASMINE STOLE | VARIETY NEWS STAFF
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SINCE the Concerned Catholics of Guam organized at the start

of this month, the number of problems that they are asked to look
into continues to grow, said David Sablan, vice president of the
group.
The Concerned Catholics announced their intention to investigate
the local archdiocese and heal a rift within the church on Dec. 9
and since then parishioners have approached them with related
problems they want the group to sort out, Sablan said.
There have been allegations against our archdiocese that have
been milling around and this group wants to search out the facts
and come up with the truth, Sablan said.
What we thought at first was maybe one or two, or a small
number, of incidences is now growing tremendously, said Greg
Perez, president of Concerned Catholics. And again, its really
disappointing to see something like this happen and well
continue to seek truth and justice.
Concerned Catholics of Guam

members Vice President Dave
Sablan, President Greg Perez, and
Secretary Vangie Lujan sit with
supporter Jon Junior Calvo on
Monday at a press conference
called to address Deacon Steve's
possible censure. Photo by
Jasmine Stole / Variety
The group is hoping to find out how the money of the archdiocese is actually being spent as well
as find out why funds are spent on the Redemptoris Mater seminary in Yona, Sablan said.
Since the group announced its purpose on Dec. 9, one member, Deacon Steve Martinez was
instructed by Archbishop Anthony Apuron to dissociate himself from it, lest he be censured.
Martinezs possible censure is another issue the group is hoping to investigate.
Further, Sablan said parishioners have approached the group about the Our Lady of Guadalupe
statue. He was told the statue was taken off its pedestal for repair years ago but has not been
replaced.
Plotting
Additionally, Sablan said Apuron implied the Concerned Catholics are plotting against the
church. A Dec. 17 letter addressed to Martinez said Martinez is in violation of Canon Law 1374,
which prohibits individuals from joining an association that is plotting against the church, Sablan
said.
The implication was shocking and surprising to Sablan and he called on the archbishop to
apologize to the group. Sablan said the groups objectives are not a plot against the church.
We laid out our objectives, we were very transparent about our purpose, he said.
The group plans to present a list of the issues they are concerned with to high-level church
officials visiting from the Vatican sometime next week. The list will also be presented with a
petition the group is circulating, Sablan said.
The petition is not to oust the archbishop, said Vangie Lujan, secretary of the organization. The
petition is to support the groups objectives and purpose.

Concerned Catholics start petition

Subjects: Nonprofit organizations; Catholicism; Clergy; Petitions
Author:
Paine, Malorie
Date:
Dec 30, 2014
Start Page: n/a
Section:
Local News
Document Text
The Concerned Catholics of Guam, a nonprofit organization formed to bring attention to what it believes are financial
and leadership problems within the local Catholic Church, is circulating a petition to gather support in "resolving the
divisive misunderstandings that currently plague our Catholic parish communities."
The petition is not against the archdiocese, but is intended to show support for the Concerned Catholics, Vangie Lujan,
secretary of the nonprofit group, said during a press conference yesterday morning.
The petition will be presented to three Vatican officials, who will be visiting Guam from Jan. 3 to 10, 2015, and to the
archdiocese.
The petition addresses three objectives of the Concerned Catholics, including the clergy and laity, parish affairs, and
archdiocesan affairs, according to organization's website.
Under the clergy and laity objectives, one of the main areas of focus is to provide grants and scholarships to aspiring
local seminarians to attend an established and an accredited Diocesan seminary.
"I think the concerns a lot of people have are that we're not building our own local community of priests," Lujan said.
"The effort of the diocese should be to create its own local priests."
The petition also addresses the issue of financial councils for the village parishes.
Greg Perez, Concerned Catholics president, said he received concerns about a parish's Finance Council not being in
place, which is a requirement for each parish, he said.
The Concerned Catholics group has a goal of 2,000 signatures by Jan. 3, Perez said.
Other CCOG concerns
Archbishop Anthony Apuron sent a letter to Deacon Stephen Martinez, a member of the Archdiocesan clergy and of the
Concerned Catholics group, telling Martinez he would be censured unless he denounces his Concerned Catholics
membership by Jan. 19.
The CCOG officers were taken aback by allegations in Apuron's letter, which they said accused the group of plotting
against the Catholic Church, according to a CCOG press release.
A letter asking Apuron to apologize for implying CCOG was "plotting against the Church" was hand-delivered to the
archdiocese's Chancery office on Dec. 24.
"Words cannot adequately express our disappointment in how you view our work and the members of our
organizations, who are devout Catholics who love their Faith and Church, and would never plot against Her," Perez
wrote in the letter.
ID_Code: M0-312300006

The Concerned Catholics of Guam, a nonprofit organization formed to bring attention to what it believes are financial
and leadership problems within the local Catholic Church, is circulating a petition to gather support in "resolving the
divisive misunderstandings that currently plague our Catholic parish communities."
Petition
seeks
Church
transparency,
sex
abuse
policy
change
MONDAY, 29 DEC 2014 03:00AM
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THE recently organized Concerned Catholics of Guam group

plans to circulate a petition to collect names and signatures of
people who support the organizations mission and objectives.
The group aims to collect 2,000 signatures by Jan. 3, 2015, one
day before three high-level Church leaders from the Vatican are
expected to visit Guam.
The petition is the latest development amid several connected
controversies surrounding the local archdiocese.
The group posted a blank printable petition sheet and their
objectives online. They aim to target local parishioners ages 16
and older for support.
In a short announcement posted on its website, the organization
said it has stepped forward to offer assistance in resolving the
divisive misunderstandings that currently plague our Catholic
parish communities and invited the community to endorse their
cause.
Concerned Catholics of Guam Vice

President David Sablan, President
Greg Perez, Secretary Vangie
Lujan and member Tommy Tanaka
speak about the recent
controversies in the church.
Variety file photo
The group listed 15 objectives it plans to tackle. The issues are related to the clergy, laity,
parish affairs and the archdiocesan affairs. Seven of the 15 objectives focus on more
involvement, strengthening Catholic traditions and amending the archdioceses current policies.
The organization is calling for financial transparency, a change in the policy for handling sex
abuse complaints, representation for the churchs real property and for an evaluation of the
archdioceses management, along with other objectives.
Members
The new group organized independently from the archdiocese but consists of active
parishioners from around the island. On Dec. 9, President Greg Perez, Vice President Dave
Sablan, Secretary Vangie Lujan and members Gil Shinohara and Tommy Tanaka announced
their formal organization and intent to investigate the church. Ultimately, the group said, it wants
to resolve the divide among Guam Catholics.
Another member, Deacon Steve Martinez, faces censure from Archbishop Anthony Apuron for
his participation in the group. Martinez is listed as treasurer of the organization and has said he
would prefer not to cut ties with the group. He is also a deacon of the Dulce Nombre de Maria
Cathedral-Basilica in Hagta.
Perez and Martinez told the Variety that the group asked the archbishop for a meeting after it
announced its organization but the archbishop has yet to indicate whether he will meet with the
group. Martinez said that two weeks ago, they emailed a letter to Apuron requesting a meeting
but only received a reply from spokesman Rev. Adrian Cristobal acknowledging receipt of the
email.
Silent
Apuron has kept silent about the group since their organization. Apurons spokesman said the
archbishop did not place a canonical censure on Martinez and opted not to further comment on
the matter. Martinez, however, said he is facing a censure and that Apuron has charged him
with violating Canon law. Martinez said under the religious vow of obedience he took at the start
of his deaconship, he is not able to disclose what sections of Canon law Apuron said he
violated.
Since he cannot share the charges even with a Canon lawyer, he said he feels stripped of his
ability to have adequate representation.
Still
no
reply
about
Apuron
meeting
after
deacon
sends
request
FRIDAY, 26 DEC 2014 03:00AM
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IN A matter of five days, Deacon Steve Martinez was censured

by Archbishop Anthony Apuron, stripped of his faculties as a
deacon and then reinstated, but left with a warning to cut ties with
the Concerned Catholics of Guam, all without Apuron and
Martinez meeting in person.
Martinez said he still has not had a face-to-face meeting with
Apuron to discuss the issues, despite twice requesting a meeting
in writing. As a deacon, Martinez said he is under a vow of
obedience, which he said he takes very seriously. But that vow
is not all-encompassing, he said. Martinez said if he were
requested to do something illegal or immoral, it should not fall
under the umbrella of his vow of obedience.
He has not, Martinez stressed, been asked to do something
illegal or immoral. But the deacon does have questions about the
section of canon law Apuron said he violated. These questions
remain unanswered. In two letters dated Dec. 17 and 22,
Martinez said Apuron charged him with a few violations, which
the deacon said he would like a canon lawyer to look over.
Archbishop Anthony Apuron had

requested Deacon Steve Martinez
to cut ties with the Concerned
Catholics. Martinez, however, said
he would like to remain part of the
group. The deacon said hed also
like to see the Concerned
Catholics group meet with Apuron.
Variety file photo
Under his vow of obedience, however, Martinez is not able to disclose those charges to a canon
lawyer, the media or any person. Martinez said this makes it difficult for him to determine if what
he is accused of is actually a violation.
Im not able to defend or prepare myself, he said. Its a grave injustice to demand not to
release the (contents of) the letters.
The deacon said hes written to Apuron, asking to rescind this gag order so a lawyer could
review the charges. Apuron has not responded to the request, Martinez said.
Another censure
Martinez said he is facing another censure. He could lose his faculties as a deacon at the Dulce
Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica in Hagta. Martinez has until Jan. 19 to dissociate himself
from the Concerned Catholics of Guam.
Martinez is the treasurer of the Concerned Catholics, a newly formed organization that plans to
audit the archdioceses finances and investigate the local church. Ultimately, the group said, it
wants to restore the church as it now stands somewhat divided. Local controversies
surrounding Apurons removal of priests and church finances prompted the group to organize.
Apuron requested Martinez cut ties with the Concerned Catholics. Martinez, however, said he
would like to remain part of the group. The deacon said hed also like to see the Concerned
Catholics group meet with Apuron.
As a leader, I expect him to keep dialogue open, the deacon said. Its the Christian way.
Martinez said he would also like to meet with visiting Archbishop Savio Hon Tai-Fai, Rev.
Tadeusz Nowak and Archbishop Martin Krebs when they visit next month and ask them about
Apurons letter. If he is told to abide by Apurons letters by the visiting church members,
Martinez said he will abide.
My father always said ... speak the truth and dont worry about it and thats something that I
have always tried to live by, Martinez said.

Concerned
Catholics
look
forward
to
meeting
with
Vatican
reps
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CONCERNED Catholics of Guam President Greg Perez said the

recently formed organization is looking forward to meeting
Archbishop Savio Hon Tai-Fai, Rev. Tadeusz Nowak and
Archbishop Martin Krebs when the three visit Guam in January.
Perez said he has made a request to meet with the three officials
between Jan. 4 and Jan. 10.
We sincerely believe this (visit) is in response to some of the
complaints and concerns and questions that have been raised on
island and have made its way to Rome, Perez said. Were
looking forward to meeting with them and they will come in and
provide solutions.
Hon and Nowak will be here for the first time in an official
capacity, according to Rev. Adrian Cristobal, spokesman for
Guam Archbishop Anthony Apuron. It will also be Krebs second
visit to Guam in six months.
The Concerned Catholics of Guam

was formed with the goal of
addressing recent problems within
the local archdiocese and finding
the best solution. Variety file
photo
Hon is the secretary of the Vatican Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples and Krebs is
the apostolic delegate to the Pacific Islands.
Cristobal said the visit is a pastoral visit, with the hope of fostering reconciliation and mutual
understanding in the archdiocese. The visit was mentioned in a Dec. 11 letter from Cardinal
Fernando Filoni addressed to Apuron, Cristobal said. Filoni is the cardinal prefect of the
Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.
Unclear
Catholic blogger and owner of www.Junglewatch.info, Tim Rohr, said it is unclear exactly if the
visit is part of an investigation into the archdiocese but Hon, Nowak and Krebs are considered
high-level officials in the church hierarchy. Bishops of his rank do not do casual visits, Rohr
said of Hon.
The visit comes on the heels of months of controversy surrounding the Agana archdiocese.
Local Catholics have said the church is divided between those who prefer the traditional rituals
of the Roman Catholic Church and the different practices of the Neocatechemunal Way
followers. The Neocatechemunal Way is an organization within the Catholic Church, of which
Apuron is a member.
Included in these controversies are the archdioceses finances, which have been called into
question by the Concerned Catholics of Guam.
Perez said the Concerned Catholics of Guams goal is find the root cause of these issues and
how to address them. We need to build and reinforce our religion individually as well as
collectively, he said.
Since the group officially organized earlier this month, Perez said theres been positive
feedback and steady, growing support for their cause. Their membership is also growing, he
said.
The group sent a letter asking to meet with Apuron and discuss their concerns, but Cristobal
only acknowledged receipt of the letter, without setting a date, Perez said. In my opinion, its
being met with indifference, he said.
Archdiocese
says
Deacon
Steve
Martinez
was
not
censured
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ARCHBISHOP Anthony Apuron has not imposed a canonical

censure on Deacon Steve Martinez, according to spokesman
Rev. Adrian Cristobal.
Cristobal also told the Variety on Monday that Martinez is still
permitted to function as a permanent deacon in the Archdiocese
of Agana.
Cristobals comments are in contrast to a letter Martinez sent to
Apuron. In the Dec. 19 letter, Martinez refers to correspondence
from Apuron sent to him on Dec. 17.
Martinez wrote that Apuron demanded Martinez cease
involvement with the Concerned Catholic of Guam.
Part of the controversies stem

from Archbishop Anthony Apurons
ties to the Neocatechemunal Way
and the churchs finances. Variety
file photo
As of today, Dec. 19, 2014, as per your directive, I acknowledge

your censure and my suspension from all exercise of faculties associated with the deacon,
Martinez wrote.
Martinez appealed Apurons decision to censure him in the same letter, also writing that he has
secured a canon lawyer.
However, according to another letter from Martinez, posted on Catholic blogger Tim Rohrs
blog, Apuron lifted the censure on Martinez, hours after Martinez acknowledged it.
Martinez said Apuron again urged the deacon to cut ties with the Concerned Catholics of Guam
and that he had until Jan. 19, 2015 to do so, under the threat of another censure.
Martinez is the treasurer of the Concerned Catholics of Guam and deacon at the Dulce Nombre
de Maria Cathedral-Basilica in Hagatna.
The Concerned Catholics group formed with the goal of addressing recent problems within the
local archdiocese and finding the best solution.
Controversies
Several controversies have surrounded the church for the last six months, beginning with the
removal of a former California priest accused of molestation in the 1970s and the subsequent
removal of popular Monsignor James Benavente as rector of the Cathedral-Basilica.
Last month an ex-seminarian, John Toves said that Apuron allegedly molested a relative of his
in the 1980s.
Part of the controversies stem from Apurons ties to the Neocatechemunal Way and the
churchs finances.
Martinezs reported censure is the latest disputed decision to come out of Apurons office and
occurs two weeks before Vatican representatives Archbishop Savio Hon Tai-Fai, Rev. Tadeusz
Nowak and Archbishop Martin Krebs are to visit the archdiocese in January.
Yesterday, Cristobal said that the censure and Martinezs involvement with the Concerned
Catholics of Guam, is an internal matter with the archbishop and the deacon and said he had no
comment to make on the issue.

Vatican
reps
to
visit
Guam
to
foster
reconciliation
SATURDAY, 20 DEC 2014 03:00AM
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AMID controversies surrounding the local Church and criticisms against Archbishop Anthony
Apuron, Vatican officials are coming to Guam next month to mediate between the clergy,
members of the laity and various groups with the hope of bridging their differences.
Archbishop Savio Hon Tai-Fai, the secretary of the Vatican Congregation for the Evangelization
of Peoples, will visit Guam along with Rev. Tadeusz Nowak and Archbishop Martin Krebs,
apostolic delegate to the Pacific islands.
The Agana Archdiocese announced the visit in a statement two days ago. The three
representatives will be on Guam from Jan. 4 to 10.
In a letter to Apuron dated Dec. 11, Cardinal Fernando Filoni said the pastoral visit would be
done with the hope of fostering reconciliation and mutual understanding in the archdiocese.
Rev. Adrian Cristobal, spokesman for Apuron, said Filoni is the cardinal prefect with the Rome-
based Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples.
Meeting
Although details of the visit have not been finalized, Cristobal said Tai-Fai, Nowak and Krebs
plan on meeting with the clergy, members of the laity and various groups.
This is Tai-Fai and Nowaks first visit to Guam in an official capacity and Krebs second visit to
Guam this year.
Tai-Fai is secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, which Cristobal said
is part of the Roman Curia whose work is to direct and coordinate throughout the world the
actual work of spreading the Gospel as well as missionary cooperation. Additionally, because
the Agana Archdiocese is considered a mission diocese, it falls under the care of this
congregation.
We are indeed happy to welcome this as a gift from the Holy Father to the people of Guam,
Cristobal said.
In November, Apuron met with Pope Francis and invited the Pope to visit Guam. Pope Francis
will be making a pastoral visit to the Philippines in January.
Considering the recent controversy surround local archdiocese, some Catholics were intrigued
by the purpose of this visit.
Catholic blogger Tim Rohr said it is unclear exactly if this visit is part of an investigation into the
archdiocese. But this is a very high level official. Very unusual, Rohr said. Bishops of his rank
do not do casual visits.

Mediation as an option for our church

Subjects: Petitions; Restorative justice; Mediation; Governors; Raises
Author:
Ishizaki, Frank
Date:
Dec 19, 2014
Start Page: n/a
Section:
Columnists - Opinion
Document Text
Season's greetings from The F.I. Report. While our discussion concerning the abuse of power and suspicious timing by
our Legislature and governor in their near-instantaneous passage of the fat pay raises and back pay is not nearly
finished, I want to digress and discuss the ongoing conflict within the Archdiocese of Guam and the impact on its
parishioners.
Several weeks ago, I wrote about restorative justice as a useful tool for righting a wrong. Inafa' Maolek utilizes
mediation as a tool for finding middle ground for disputants. Pat Wolff is founder, mediator and mentor for restorative
justice and mediation programs. He would certainly know if mediation would be appropriate in this case. I can't help but
think that mediation of the current dispute and conflicts within the Church might help.
Monsignor James Benavente, Father Paul Gofigan and others have been in apparent conflict and public debate with
Archbishop Anthony Apuron. In the old days, there was no public debate. In the modern era, with the advent of the
Internet and social media, things are different.
Hiding and operating in the dark is no longer an option. Accountability and transparency is expected. Since the conflict
within the Church has been aired publicly, it may be time for a different approach to resolution.
Has the Roman Catholic Church been replaced by the Neocatechumenal Way? Are priests being protected from
prosecution regarding sexual abuses of the past? Is it fair or just to accuse someone of sexual abuse without direct
knowledge of the crime? Is it even appropriate to ask these delicate questions, or should well enough be left alone?
Change being sought
Regarding our government officials, my readers and friends have stirred and seem determined to affect positive
change. I have never received the numbers of responses for any prior column. The online site for a recall petition,
Change.org, advocates a petition for a recall election. While I don't believe that this is an effective method for effecting
change or a proper petition for one, it is most intriguing.
I commend the governor in his attempt to justify the raises and highlight the disparity of pay between line agencies and
autonomous agencies. Yes, he is correct that there is disparity between the pay for chief of police for Guam and chief of
police for the Guam International Airport.
Perhaps we should remind all that the GIAA is a business that generates revenue and pays for all its expenses from its
profitable bottom line. The GIAA collects from its paying customers to cover its costs.
The Guam Police Department uses the General Fund to pay for its expenses. The General Fund isn't able to cover
basic needs. The governor continues to release less than the budgeted allotments.
That's why cops incur excess overtime -- there aren't enough cops to conduct basic functions. As a result, GPD has to
authorize more overtime than is funded. Because the basic budget is inadequate, the additional 10-percent holdback
presents excessive pressure for cops to perform their basic duties.
When I served in the 29th Guam Legislature (2006-2007), my annual salary was $55,000. Since then, our senators
voted themselves two pay raises, to the current pay of $85,000. On top of this fat raise, they authorized an additional
$375,000 for retroactive pay to January of this year.
The governor's pay will increase by $40,000. His pay will go from $90,000 to $130,000, with a fat retirement pension
that we pay from the General Fund. The lieutenant governor gets a $25,000 pay raise. His pay will go from $85,000 to
$110,000.
Unfortunately, we are paying for their greedy appetites.
I commend Sens. Mike Limtiaco and Mike San Nicolas for opposing these pay raises. I also want to thank Sen. Frank
Aguon Jr. for introducing a bill to reverse the pay raises. Voters should be informed about the growing initiative to
reverse the pay raises and sign the petition in opposition.
For Facebook practitioners, you can easily find the information. My loyal readers can continue to communicate via email
to friendscrimelab@live.com.
I welcome your comments about mediation for the Church and the fat-cat pay raises.
Frank Ishizaki is a retired FBI special agent, chief of police, Homeland Security adviser, director of Corrections, senator
and CSI. He can be contacted at friendscrimelab@live.com.?
ID_Code: M0-312190022

Accountability and transparency is expected. Since the conflict within the Church has been aired publicly, it may be time
for a different approach to resolution. [...]GPD has to authorize more overtime than is funded. Because the basic budget
is inadequate, the additional 10-percent holdback presents excessive pressure for cops to perform their basic duties.
Gofigan
urges
Archbishop
Apuron
to
meet
with
Toves
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REV. Paul Gofigan, who was removed by Archbishop Anthony

Apuron from his post as pastor of Santa Barbara Church in
Dededo last year, said the archbishop should meet with John
Toves, who has publicly accused Apuron of molesting Toves
male relative 30 years ago.
I think the archbishop should meet with (Toves). If its truly an
open door policy, the archbishop should meet with anybody no
matter who it is, whether it be your friend or foe, Gofigan said. If
another man asks to have an audience with you, you should be
able to meet with them.
Gofigan said he met Toves for lunch earlier in the day and
accompanied him from the Guam Police Department to the Office
of the Attorney General and then to the chancery office to support
Toves, who is an old friend of his, he said.
The two attended the then-Father Duenas Minor Seminary in Tai,
Mangilao, Gofigan said. Gofigan was a senior at the seminary
when Toves was a sophomore and the Toves relative was a
freshman.
Rev. Paul Gofigan, who was

removed by Archbishop Anthony
Apuron from his post as pastor of
Santa Barbara Church in Dededo
last year, said the archbishop
should meet with John Toves, who
has publicly accused Apuron of
impropriety. Photo by Jasmine
Stole / Variety
The allegations of Apuron molesting Toves relative had been rumors for some time now,
Gofigan said. Rumor has it there is a victim and if the victim comes forward, this can move
through.
What we believe doesnt matter, Gofigan said. If there is something that happened, either the
perpetrator has to come forward and admit it or the victim has to come forward.
Gofigan said he expected opposition from the Chancery office before he and Toves visited
yesterday, but he did not understand why Apuron would not meet with Toves.
Advice
Toves and Gofigan were at the Guam Police Department yesterday afternoon seeking advice
about Vicar General David Quituguas letter to Toves denying a meeting with the archbishop.
Despite the letter, Toves attempted to meet with Apuron yesterday and said he will try again
today.
Lt. Donald Flickinger told Toves to get a legal opinion of the letter from the attorney generals
office, but Toves said the OAG could not offer an opinion because the letter was from a private
agency.
The letter said based on Toves allegations lodged with the archdiocese, his request for a
meeting was denied.
Toves has said he had no direct knowledge of the alleged abuse nor has he reported the abuse
to law enforcement authorities. He said he heard of the abuse as did other seminarians after he
heard of his relatives suicide attempt in the 1980s.
Apuron said on Dec. 4 that he will file a defamation lawsuit. According to Apurons spokesman,
Rev. Adrian Cristobal, the defamation lawsuit has not yet been filed.
The archbishop should be fair, Gofigan said. Thats all were asking for and thats all Im asking
for ... that he should be fair and not show a very obvious partiality toward one group. I think you
should treat all priests, all members of one faith the same way.
Concerned
Catholics
want
transparency,
audit
of
Church
money
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CONCERNED Catholics of Guam Inc. yesterday said a proper

audit of the Archdiocese of Aganas finances should be
conducted and that it plans to investigate the Neocatechumenal
Ways practices on Guam.
Concerned Catholics Vice President David Sablan said
Archbishop Anthony Apuron has been entrusted with the finances
of the church and, according to canon law, the finances of the
church should be disclosed to the public.
Theres also a business part of this organization and that has to
deal with, What are you doing with the money? Where is it
going? What are you doing with the assets? Sablan said. Why
do we have two different seminaries? Do we have that many
young men wanting to be priests? These are some of the
questions that need answers and it all leads back to funding and
money and wheres it all going?
Concerned Catholics of Guam Vice

President David Sablan, President
Greg Perez, Secretary Vangie
Lujan and member Tommy Tanaka
speak about the recent
controversies in the church. Photo
by Jasmine Stole / Variety
Sablan said the group does not know if the money is going to the
Neocatechemunal Way. I dont know ... is there something going on that were not aware of?
Well find out what the truth is, he said.
The group expects to pay for a proper audit of the churchs finances, Sablan said, adding that
since Concerned Catholics is a recognized 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, companies that
wish to donate to the group can deduct the donation from their taxes. Were going to be a
formidable voice to represent the laity, he said. The hierarchy should be leading us correctly,
based on precepts handed down by our Lord through the pope and the Vatican, not going to a
different direction.
Church divided
Members of Concerned Catholics yesterday spoke at a press conference about a church
divided between the traditional church community, the archbishop, and the followers of the
Neocatechemunal Way.
Apuron is a known member of the Neocatechemunal Way, an organization within the Catholic
Church formed in 1964 by Kiko Arguello and Carmen Hernandez in Spain.
The Neocatechemunal Way follows different practices from the traditional Roman Catholic
Church, according to members of the Concerned Catholics. One example Sablan spoke of was
the Neocatechemunal practice of a closed-door Mass.

Its the NCWs changes to the traditional customs of the church that is causing such discord
among local Catholics, said member Gil Shinohara.
In addition to pursuing an audit of the churchs finances, Concerned Catholics plans to launch
an investigation into the Neocatechemunal Ways statutes and precepts to determine if it
complies with teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.
Concerns fallen on deaf ears
Vangie Lujan, the organizations secretary, said there are Catholics on Guam who feel their
concerns have fallen on deaf ears and the Concerned Catholics was organized to become a
vehicle for those concerns to be heard and brought to the archdiocese.
I think what a lot of people are expressing is that they have lost a sincere respect and lost
confidence in the existing leadership, Lujan said. I think the problem that were all
experiencing is that although the large majority of the people of Guam are not within the
Neocatechumenal Way, our voices are not heard. It seems to go on deaf ears. ... More
importantly, our concerns are not being addressed.
No joy
Lujan said there is no longer a sense of joy among the Catholic community. She said the
archbishop should address parishioners concerns. In the past, traditionally, you would go to
your priest or you would go to the archbishop but over the last few months over the last few
years we all have experiences where you would like to talk to your priest or your archbishop,
but youre not being heard, she said.
Sablan said he sees the churchs membership dwindling based on how many people attend
Mass at his parish and other parishes.
Tommy Tanaka, a parishioner of St. Francis Catholic Church in Yoa, and another member of
the Concerned Catholics, said the divide among members of the Neocatechemunal Way and
nonmembers is wide. Tanakas parish drafted a petition against integrating the
Neocatechemunal Ways practices and having a Neocatechemunal Way priest in their parish.
Tanaka said the parish has yet to hear back from the archbishop about the petition.
The group said their main goal is to heal the church of this divide between the two groups and
while they did not say one of their objectives is to oust the archbishop, they said there needs to
be some rebuilding or reorganization in place.
Ultimately, we want to see the healing of the church more than anything else, so this group got
together to achieve that purpose, Tanaka said.
The group said they are not against the Neocatechumenals but there must be changes made
within the church and the community needs to be rebuilt.
President Greg Perez said the group will meet occasionally to discuss the issue within the
church and find possible solutions for the issues.
Catholics form group to investigate church

Subjects: Catholic churches; Catholicism; Nonprofit organizations; Leadership
Author:
Date:
Dec 10, 2014
Start Page: n/a
Section:
Local News
Document Text
A group of private citizens has formed a nonprofit organization called Concerned Catholics of Guam, in part to
investigate financial and leadership problems within the local Catholic Church.
The problems became public in recent months, but they've caused division in the local Catholic Church community for
almost two years now, said one of the nonprofit's officials, Dave Sablan.
Concerned Catholics' leaders announced yesterday they intend to gather evidence and accept documents from
concerned citizens in an attempt to influence change.
They're not asking for Archbishop Anthony Apuron or other leaders of the Archdiocese of Agana to resign, but they'd
like to get a better understanding of why the number of churchgoers in some parishes has dwindled.
If they find proof that specific officials are responsible, they'd like to present that proof to the public and to the Vatican.
The nonprofit states it wants to "evaluate the performance of the management of the archdiocese and recommend
changes where necessary."
"Concerned Catholics of Guam Inc. was established because many of the Catholic faithful are at a loss and confused
as to what is going on at the Chancery," said Greg Perez, president of the organization.
Perez added that "the lack of transparency with the finances of the archdiocese, neglect of precious artifacts in the
archdiocesan museum, among other issues," prompted the creation of the nonprofit.
The archbishop fired Monsignor James Benavente a few months ago from being the rector of the Dulce Nombre de
Maria Cathedral-Basilica after 20 years over financial problems said to have occurred on Benavente's watch, Pacific
Daily News files show. However, prominent members of the island community who are financial experts have said
publicly that the financial problems predated Benavente.
After Benavente was fired, the museum at the Cathedral-Basilica that was holding centuries-old artifacts and church
relics was shut down before it could officially open to the public. The museum artifacts and relics were improperly stored
without adequate room temperature control, prompting some museum volunteers to voice concern that the priceless
pieces of Guam's Catholic Church history could be damaged irreversibly.
Sablan, vice president of Concerned Catholics, said the nonprofit would accept tax-deductible donations for such
expenses as paying for auditors to audit the archdiocese's finances.
Vangie Lujan, the nonprofit's secretary, said the organization will give the island's Catholics a venue to voice their views
about the local church leadership without fear of reprisal. Things that are said at family gatherings, funerals and fiestas
about the clamor for the local church leadership to listen to the parishioners' concerns will have a venue with the
nonprofit's creation, Lujan said.
Sablan said the nonprofit will look into the archdiocese's "bungled" handling of a sex abuse allegation against Apuron.
The archdiocese has stated no investigation will be conducted because no victim has come forward, and Sablan said
that's contrary to archdiocesan policy. Apuron has threatened to sue over the allegation.
Concerned Catholics also was created with the goal of looking into the role of the Neocatechumenal Way in the division
within the local church.
Tommy Tanaka, a member of the St. Francis parish in Yona, said his parish filed a formal petition to the archdiocese to
keep the Neocatechumenal Way from the village parish. "And we want to keep it that way," he said.
Catholics from other parishes go to Yona to attend Mass because the Neocatechumenal Way isn't present there,
Tanaka said.
Sablan, of the Santa Rita parish, said one of the ways the Neocatechumenal Way is different is that its members hold
Mass for members only, and it's not open to all Catholics.
If the archbishop changes, and "doesn't follow whatever the Neocatechumenal Way dictates," Sablan said, he doesn't
have to step down.
He said there's doubt in the current leadership of the local Catholic Church.
After "a couple of years of turmoil, people get tired," Sablan said.
ON THE NET
To learn more, see: www.concernedcatholicsofguam.com/
ID_Code: M0-312100006

A group of private citizens has formed a nonprofit organization called Concerned Catholics of Guam, in part to
investigate financial and leadership problems within the local Catholic Church.
Toves
request
to
meet
with
Apuron
denied
SATURDAY, 06 DEC 2014 03:00AM
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JOHN Toves, the man who accused Guam Archbishop Anthony Apuron of molesting his relative
30 years ago, attempted to meet personally with the archbishop but his request was declined.
Rev. Adrian Cristobal, Apurons spokesman, said a meeting would not be possible without a
lawyer present.
The vicar general of the archdiocese, Monsignor David Quitugua, yesterday sent a letter to
Toves denying him from meeting with the archbishop.
For the last two days, you have appeared at the Chancery requesting an appointment and you
have brought the media with you on each occasion. Your efforts are not only disruptive to daily
operations but serve no legitimate purpose, religious or otherwise, Quituguas letter said.
Therefore, you are hereby notified that any demands for an appointment or attempts to, in your
own words, confront the archbishop on Chancery grounds or elsewhere, will be responded to
appropriately and in accordance with the law.
Faceoff
In a strained faceoff in the Chancery office waiting area yesterday, Cristobal continually refused
Toves request for an audience with the archbishop.
If Mr. Toves wants to see him (Apuron), we will give to the lawyer Mr. Toves phone number
and the archbishops lawyer will contact Mr. Toves, Cristobal said.
Why does the attorney need my phone number? Is he going to name me? Will he name me?
Toves asked Cristobal, referring to his name appearing on the defamation lawsuit Apuron said
he would file.
You are going to find out I believe. I do not know who exactly will be named, Cristobal replied.
We have your name. We have your phone number. And if we do make an appointment, well
come and get you. Well come and call you.
Cristobal said yesterday that the defamation lawsuit had not yet been filed. Cristobal did not
identify the archbishops lawyer, only telling reporters that the archdiocese would release a
statement soon.
Toves repeatedly asked Cristobal why if he was not explicitly named in a lawsuit it was
important for the archbishop to have a lawyer present during a meeting.
On Thursday morning, Toves arrived at the Chancery office in Hagta expecting to confront
the archbishop but was instead directed to meet with Deacon Larry Claros, the sexual abuse
response coordinator for the Agana Archdiocese. According to the archdioceses website,
Claros was appointed sexual abuse response coordinator in October.
Claros said on Thursday that the review board would not be investigating the alleged
molestation claims made by Toves, but Cristobal said Toves concerns were still under review.
Without any mention of an investigation, Cristobal said, The review board has reviewed Johns
letter, they have submitted their comments to the sexual abuse response coordinator and we
are in the process of formulating the final outcome of that.
Hours after his meeting with Toves, the archdiocese released a statement reiterating Claros
comments.
Upon consideration of the information provided by Mr. Toves, the review board determined that
an investigation under the Policy on Sexual Misconduct cannot be conducted based on the
third-party complaint received, the statement said. The Archdiocese of Agana takes the matter
of reported sexual abuse very seriously and considers such reports to be of a grave matter that
warrants immediate and proper attention.
The archdiocese added that any victim who reports sexual misconduct can be confident that
the archdiocese is committed to helping pursuant to the archdioceses policy.
Citing a policy adopted by the archdiocese in 2002, Cristobal said the Church is presuming that
in order for a clergy member to be removed based on allegations of sexual misconduct, the
allegations have to be made by the victim of said sexual misconduct.
Im baffled. I was waiting for my appointment. I wont get an appointment until the attorney calls
me, Toves said. Ill be back here tomorrow.
Not contacted relative
As of yesterday afternoon, Toves said he has yet to speak with his cousin about the alleged
abuse Toves brought to light recently. Even though he has not addressed the contentious
events with his relative directly, Toves said he knows his relative is aware of him confronting the
archdiocese.
Im doing what I feel is right and my conscious is clear, he said. I know my cousin, hes very
brilliant and I know his skills and I know hes peeping in and Im sure all the relatives are
appraising him of whats coming out.
Deacon
asserts
Apurons
innocence,
Toves
to
continue
inquiry
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Claims of molestation will not be investigated

DEACON Larry Claros, the recently appointed sexual abuse
response coordinator for the Archdiocese of Agana, said he
believes Archbishop Anthony Apuron is innocent.
Recently, former Guam resident and ex-seminarian John Toves
said he had knowledge that the archbishop allegedly molested a
male relative about 30 years ago. Claros and Toves met briefly
yesterday morning at the Chancery office in Hagta.
Toves said he wanted to meet with Apuron personally while he is
on Guam but Apurons spokesman, Rev. Adrian Cristobal, said
the archbishop was fully booked yesterday when Toves arrived
at the Chancery office. Instead, Toves met with Claros.
After the short meeting, Claros said the meeting with Toves went
well. The deacon said a review board met and determined not to
investigate the claims made in Toves letter.
There is no investigation. These are just allegations brought
forth by Mr. Toves, Claros said. The review board has met to go
ahead and look at these allegations and see if there is anything
we need to investigate, and theres none."
Former Guam resident and ex-

seminarian John Toves talks to the
media yesterday outside the
Chancery office in Hagta. Toves
said he wanted to meet with
Archbishop Anthony Apuron
personally while he is on Guam but
Apurons spokesman said the
archbishop was ''fully booked''
yesterday when Toves arrived at
the Chancery office. Photo by Matt
Weiss / Variety
The victim should make the molestation accusations, Claros said, not another person.
I think if anyone is to go ahead and give allegations, that the responsible person needs to
surface and make those accusations (him) or herself versus a third party, the deacon said.
Accusations against Apuron should have been brought to the proper authorities like the police,
Claros said.
Policy
The archdioceses policy on sexual abuse calls for the victim to make a complaint, and that is
what the review board is looking for, Claros said. The committee is looking more as wheres
the victim? because of our policy that it is the welfare of the victim that needs to be attended
first and foremost, he said.
The archdioceses sexual abuse policy advises that the proper response to allegations of sexual
misconduct is to report the suspected sexual misconduct to the archbishop and to civil
authorities.
Next, the archbishop is to verify that any report required by law is made. The archbishop is then
supposed to notify the sexual abuse response coordinator, direct an archdiocesan investigator
to do a complete investigation and direct the accused person not to have contact with the
complainant.
Yesterday afternoon, Cristobal issued a statement on behalf of the archdiocese acknowledging
receipt of Toves concern and stating that the policy on sexual abuse was being adhered to.
Pursuant to this policy and to clarify the issue, the matter is currently under review, the
statement said.
The archdioceses policy defines a complainant as a person who alleges that sexual misconduct
has occurred.
As far as I know this is the first Ive heard of any allegations and its a very sad state right now
that the leader in our community is going to go through this scrutiny. However, I do believe and
Im very confident that truth will prevail, Claros said.
Toves said Claros' and Apurons actions are not in alignment with the churchs sexual
misconduct policy. You know its all the smoke-and-mirrors game and its all the placate-and-
hope-they-go-away game, Toves said. To me it does not look like its seriously being
investigated. In (Deacon Claros) own words, its not being investigated.
Toves said he will try every day during the rest of his stay to meet directly with Apuron.
Recalled
In the 1980s, while he and his relative were in high school attending Tai Seminary, Toves said
he recalled Apuron picking up and dropping off his relative with some regularity. Later in the
1980s, Toves said he found out his relative was abused by Apuron.
Toves has not spoken to the alleged victim.
Toves said he stands behind his allegations and hes received support from other Catholics.
Although his relative, who lives off-island, has yet to stand up and address the accusations
made by Toves, Toves said he takes full responsibility for his actions. He also said he has yet to
speak to his cousin about going to the archdiocese about the alleged sexual abuse.
Apuron said in a statement released last weekend that he is filing a defamation suit, but did not
indicate who the lawsuit would be directed against.
A lawsuit is something Toves said he is hoping will happen because it would require the
archbishop to provide a deposition under oath.
Toves said hes hoping other victims of abuse will reach out to him and he has made himself
available. He said he will send the reports directly to the Vatican and will sign a confidentiality
statement in case other victims fear retribution from the church.
Toves said victims can email him at johncharlestoves[at]gmail.com.

Since hes been on Guam, Toves said hes received two suspicious emails and he is cautious
about his whereabouts. He said hes not foolish enough not to think there might be some reason
for concern about his safety.
Yesterdays meeting with Claros was the first response Toves has received from the
archdiocese about a Nov. 21 letter he sent alleging Apuron abused his relative.
He said he has met with Rev. Paul Gofigan and was scheduled to meet with Monsignor James
Benavente yesterday. Gofigan expressed support, Toves said, of their meeting.
In addition to discussing Apurons alleged abuse of Toves cousin, Toves said he hoped to ask
Apuron to reinstate Gofigan and Benavente to their positions at the Dededo Catholic parish and
the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica, respectively.
Its about other victims, future victims, Toves said. Other actions by the archbishop to
vindictively punish people for other reasons. He plays the church like its a game of chess. Its
his toy.

Deacon says Apuron innocent: Church won't investigate molestation allegation

Subjects: Defamation; Sex crimes; Leadership; Investigations
Author:
Date:
Dec 5, 2014
Start Page: n/a
Section:
Local News
Document Text
A victim in the sexual molestation allegation against Archbishop Anthony Apuron hasn't surfaced, so there's nothing to
investigate, a church official said yesterday.
Deacon Larry Claros, the archdiocese's newly appointed sexual abuse response coordinator, made the statement
yesterday morning outside the archdiocese's Chancery office after a brief meeting with the archbishop's accuser, John
Toves.
Toves, 50, said when he was a 16-year-old altar boy, Toves' relative and co-seminarian at a high school seminary on
Guam was allegedly sexually abused by Apuron, who was a priest at the time.
Apuron issued a statement on Nov. 29 that the allegation "is a horrible calumny and I am obliged to defend not my
person, but the Church."
On the advice of an attorney, Apuron said in the Nov. 29 written statement, "I will not answer any questions."
Claros said a committee in the Archdiocese of Agana that reviewed the allegation didn't see the need for an
investigation.
Hours after Claros' statement to reporters, the archdiocese yesterday afternoon clarified in a written statement that the
archdiocese's policy on sexual abuse is being adhered to.
"Pursuant to this policy, and to clarify the issue, the matter is currently under review," according to the archdiocese
statement.
Toves traveled from San Francisco, where he lives, with the intention of confronting Apuron.
"I am demanding that he make amends to the family while accepting responsibility," said Toves, who said this is his first
trip back home in three decades. He also recently sent letters about his allegation to Vatican officials.
Claros said it's a "very, very sad state that the leader of our community is going through this scrutiny, however, I do
believe, I am very confident that truth will prevail."
When asked if he believes the archbishop is innocent, Claros replied: "Oh, for sure, for sure."
"There is no investigation," Claros said. "These are just allegations brought forth by Mr. Toves, and the review board
has met to ... look at these allegations to see if there's anything we need to investigate and there's none," Claros said.
"First of all, the victim has not surfaced."
Toves, a fitness center manager, arrived on Guam earlier this week. He's demanding that the archbishop step down.
Apuron said he's filing a defamation suit, and any damages that will be recovered "will be given to the charitable causes
of our Church."
"I trust that the members of our Catholic community who have observed my actions and leadership for the last 30 years
will know in their hearts and spirit that these allegations are false."
Toves yesterday said he welcomes the defamation lawsuit, because it will open the legal framework for witnesses to be
summoned and for the archdiocese files to become public.
Toves acknowledged people have questions about the timing of the allegation.
Decades have passed between the time the alleged abuse occurred and the public allegation.
He said, as a devout Catholic, he kept quiet about it for a long time, but added he reached a "boiling point" to speak out
against Apuron after the recent controversies in the local Catholic Church leadership.
Toves said he wants Apuron to step down and for Monsignor James Benavente to be reinstated as rector of the Dulce
Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica in Hagatna. Toves also wants Santa Barbara parish priest Paul Gofigan reinstated.
He said his allegation and the local church's leadership controversies are "intertwined."
Claros said Toves needs to report his allegation to civil authorities.
Toves said his relative had a "breakdown" when both of them moved on from the high school seminary on Guam to a
college seminary in Los Altos, California. The relative told church officers at the California seminary of the alleged
abuse, Toves said.
Toves said his cousin has refused to speak up about the alleged abuse because he was traumatized.
Toves said he hasn't spoken to his relative about his decision to accuse Apuron publicly.
Toves also said his family is torn about his decision, saying his father supports it, but his mother no longer speaks to
him.
While on Guam, Toves said, he's asking other victims of alleged sexual abuse involving Church officials to come
forward for a united voice.
"A lot of people have been calling me, and they want to talk, but they are still fearful," Toves said.
ID_Code: M0-141205001

"First of all, the victim has not surfaced."
Deacon
asserts
Apurons
innocence,
Toves
to
continue
inquiry
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Claims of molestation will not be investigated

DEACON Larry Claros, the recently appointed sexual abuse
response coordinator for the Archdiocese of Agana, said he
believes Archbishop Anthony Apuron is innocent.
Recently, former Guam resident and ex-seminarian John Toves
said he had knowledge that the archbishop allegedly molested a
male relative about 30 years ago. Claros and Toves met briefly
yesterday morning at the Chancery office in Hagta.
Toves said he wanted to meet with Apuron personally while he is
on Guam but Apurons spokesman, Rev. Adrian Cristobal, said
the archbishop was fully booked yesterday when Toves arrived
at the Chancery office. Instead, Toves met with Claros.
After the short meeting, Claros said the meeting with Toves went
well. The deacon said a review board met and determined not to
investigate the claims made in Toves letter.
There is no investigation. These are just allegations brought
forth by Mr. Toves, Claros said. The review board has met to go
ahead and look at these allegations and see if there is anything
we need to investigate, and theres none."
Former Guam resident and ex-

seminarian John Toves talks to the
media yesterday outside the
Chancery office in Hagta. Toves
said he wanted to meet with
Archbishop Anthony Apuron
personally while he is on Guam but
Apurons spokesman said the
archbishop was ''fully booked''
yesterday when Toves arrived at
the Chancery office. Photo by Matt
Weiss / Variety
The victim should make the molestation accusations, Claros said, not another person.
I think if anyone is to go ahead and give allegations, that the responsible person needs to
surface and make those accusations (him) or herself versus a third party, the deacon said.
Accusations against Apuron should have been brought to the proper authorities like the police,
Claros said.
Policy
The archdioceses policy on sexual abuse calls for the victim to make a complaint, and that is
what the review board is looking for, Claros said. The committee is looking more as wheres
the victim? because of our policy that it is the welfare of the victim that needs to be attended
first and foremost, he said.
The archdioceses sexual abuse policy advises that the proper response to allegations of sexual
misconduct is to report the suspected sexual misconduct to the archbishop and to civil
authorities.
Next, the archbishop is to verify that any report required by law is made. The archbishop is then
supposed to notify the sexual abuse response coordinator, direct an archdiocesan investigator
to do a complete investigation and direct the accused person not to have contact with the
complainant.
Yesterday afternoon, Cristobal issued a statement on behalf of the archdiocese acknowledging
receipt of Toves concern and stating that the policy on sexual abuse was being adhered to.
Pursuant to this policy and to clarify the issue, the matter is currently under review, the
statement said.
The archdioceses policy defines a complainant as a person who alleges that sexual misconduct
has occurred.
As far as I know this is the first Ive heard of any allegations and its a very sad state right now
that the leader in our community is going to go through this scrutiny. However, I do believe and
Im very confident that truth will prevail, Claros said.
Toves said Claros' and Apurons actions are not in alignment with the churchs sexual
misconduct policy. You know its all the smoke-and-mirrors game and its all the placate-and-
hope-they-go-away game, Toves said. To me it does not look like its seriously being
investigated. In (Deacon Claros) own words, its not being investigated.
Toves said he will try every day during the rest of his stay to meet directly with Apuron.
Recalled
In the 1980s, while he and his relative were in high school attending Tai Seminary, Toves said
he recalled Apuron picking up and dropping off his relative with some regularity. Later in the
1980s, Toves said he found out his relative was abused by Apuron.
Toves has not spoken to the alleged victim.
Toves said he stands behind his allegations and hes received support from other Catholics.
Although his relative, who lives off-island, has yet to stand up and address the accusations
made by Toves, Toves said he takes full responsibility for his actions. He also said he has yet to
speak to his cousin about going to the archdiocese about the alleged sexual abuse.
Apuron said in a statement released last weekend that he is filing a defamation suit, but did not
indicate who the lawsuit would be directed against.
A lawsuit is something Toves said he is hoping will happen because it would require the
archbishop to provide a deposition under oath.
Toves said hes hoping other victims of abuse will reach out to him and he has made himself
available. He said he will send the reports directly to the Vatican and will sign a confidentiality
statement in case other victims fear retribution from the church.
Toves said victims can email him at johncharlestoves[at]gmail.com.

Since hes been on Guam, Toves said hes received two suspicious emails and he is cautious
about his whereabouts. He said hes not foolish enough not to think there might be some reason
for concern about his safety.
Yesterdays meeting with Claros was the first response Toves has received from the
archdiocese about a Nov. 21 letter he sent alleging Apuron abused his relative.
He said he has met with Rev. Paul Gofigan and was scheduled to meet with Monsignor James
Benavente yesterday. Gofigan expressed support, Toves said, of their meeting.
In addition to discussing Apurons alleged abuse of Toves cousin, Toves said he hoped to ask
Apuron to reinstate Gofigan and Benavente to their positions at the Dededo Catholic parish and
the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica, respectively.
Its about other victims, future victims, Toves said. Other actions by the archbishop to
vindictively punish people for other reasons. He plays the church like its a game of chess. Its
his toy.

Church official: Archbishop Apuron innocent

Subjects: Child abuse & neglect; Sex crimes
Author:
Date:
Dec 4, 2014
Start Page: n/a
Section:
Local News
Document Text
Archbishop Anthony Apuron is innocent of the sexual molestation allegation that has been publicly raised against him,
and there's no need for the Archdiocese of Agana to investigate it, a deacon in charge of coordinating sex abuse
reports said this morning.
Deacon Larry Claros, the archdiocese's newly appointed sexual abuse response coordinator, said he believes the
archbishop is innocent "for sure."
There's no need to investigate the allegation at this point, Claros said.
An archdiocese review committee did meet and will issue a statement soon, he said.
Claros made the statement outside the archdiocese's Chancery after having briefly met with John Toves, a 50-year-old
man who made the allegation and sent letters about it to Vatican officials recently.
Toves went to the Chancery to see Apuron.
Father Adrian Cristobal, who has been speaking for the archbishop, stepped out of his office to say Apuron wasn't
available.
When Toves asked -- in the presence of reporters -- to see Claros instead, Cristobal called Claros to meet with Toves.
Toves said when he was a 16-year-old altar boy, Toves' relative and co-seminarian at a high school seminary on Guam
was allegedly sexually abused. The alleged victim was also an altar boy, according to Toves' allegation.
Toves said Apuron was a parish priest in Agat at the time. Toves' family is from Agat.
Toves has been living in San Francisco, and hasn't been back home on Guam for 30 years until he arrived earlier this
week with the goal of seeing Apuron about the allegation.
Toves acknowledged people will have questions about the timing of the allegation. Decades have passed between the
time of the alleged abuse and his public allegation.
He said as a devout Catholic, he kept quiet about it for a long time, but added he reached a "boiling point" to speak out
against Apuron after the recent controversies in the local Catholic church leadership.
Toves said he wants Apuron to step down and for Monsignor James Benavente to be reinstated as rector of the Dulce
Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica in Hagatna.
He said his allegation of sex abuse, and the local church's leadership controversies, are "intertwined."
In the allegation raised by Toves, the victim hasn't stepped forward to make the claim, Claros said.
The church's priority is to help the victim of any abuse -- if there is one, he said.
Claros said Toves needs to report his allegation to civil authorities.
Toves said his relative had a "breakdown" when both of them moved on from the high school seminary on Guam to a
college seminary in Los Altos, California.
The relative told church officers at the California seminary of the alleged abuse, Toves said.
Toves said he hasn't spoken to his relative about his decision to publicly accuse Apuron.
Toves also said his family is torn about his decision, saying his father supports it, but his mother no longer speaks to
him.
While on Guam, Toves said he's asking other victims of sex abuse involving a Church official to meet with him to have a
unified voice.
As he was talking to reporters, he received a phone call from a family that may want to talk about an abuse, he said.
In 2010, legislation introduced by Vice Speaker Benjamin Cruz and signed into Public Law No. 31-7 opened a two-year
window for past victims of child sexual abuse to file civil suit in the Superior Court of Guam.
For criminal cases, there's no time limit to pursue a case against an alleged sexual abuse case involving a victim up to
the age of 18, or an adult who has a disability comparable to that of an adolescent, based on Public Law No. 31-6,
according to Cruz's office in a previous interview.
ID_Code: M0-141204003

window for past victims of child sexual abuse to file civil suit in the Superior Court of Guam.\n
Accuser
to
confront
Archbishop
TUESDAY, 02 DEC 2014 03:00AM
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JOHN Toves said in a statement released yesterday that he is planning to visit Archbishop
Anthony Apuron this week to discuss issues that have surrounded the church throughout this
year, including the claims Toves has made that Apuron molested a relative of his.
Toves said he plans to bring up three issues with the archbishop. He said he will ask Apuron to
restore Rev. Paul Gofigan and Monsignor James Benavente to their former positions and to
take responsibility for molesting Toves relative and the emotional pain he said was inflicted on
the relative.
Finally, Toves said he wishes to ask Apuron to step down as archbishop.
Toves has written to the archdiocese about Apuron molesting his relative in the 1980s and said
he is waiting for an investigation.
During that time, Toves wrote that he and his cousin were studying at Tai seminary and he
would notice Apuron, then a priest, picking up and dropping off his cousin with some regularity.
Toves said his cousin eventually told a California priest about the abuse after he and his relative
transferred to a seminary in California.
Toves said he is also asking other victims abused by clergy to meet with him privately. He is
willing to sign a confidentiality statement with each person and will keep their information in
strict confidence, only to be forwarded to the proper authorities in the Vatican, Toves said.
Individuals seeking contact with Toves can reach him at johncharlestoves[at]gmail.com.

Archbishop
denies
molestation
allegations,
to
file
defamation
suit
MONDAY, 01 DEC 2014 03:00AM
BY MONETH G. DEPOSA-ELECO | VARIETY NEWS STAFF
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ARCHBISHOP Anthony Apuron denied allegations that he had molested a former seminarian
and labeled the accusation as untrue.
In a statement on Saturday, Apuron said he will file a defamation lawsuit related to what he
described as false statements.
It is a horrible calumny, and I am obliged to defend not my person, but the church, Apuron said
in the statement. However, defending the church compels me to file a suit for defamation. Any
damages that I receive I will not keep for myself, but will be given to the charitable causes of our
church.
The archbishop said he has been advised by legal counsel not to answer any questions on the
issue.
Apurons statement was issued in the wake of accusations by John Toves that the archbishop
had molested his cousin in the 1980s when they were still seminarians. Toves said he is
seeking an investigation into this and demanded that the archbishop step down from his
position.
The archbishop, in the statement on Saturday, indicated that for the many years he has been
serving the church, he has shown sincere effort to urge strict respect for the teachings of the
church.
I have dedicated my life to spread the Catholic faith through my words and actions. It has been
my sincere effort to urge strict respect for the teachings of our Catholic faith by leading the
church through prayer, and by example, and in my own behavior, Apuron stated.
Meeting with the pope
The archbishop confirmed he had a meeting with Pope Francis in the Vatican on Nov. 21.
This meeting, he said, was granted at his request.
The archbishop described his meeting with the pope as a grace for our church of Guam, and a
tremendous gift for me.
He received me warmly. I wanted to speak with the Holy Father about the situation of the
church of Guam and the critical role we play in the evangelization of the Pacific, he said.
Apuron said they discussed the challenges and joys of the church of Guam.
He said the pope was happy to hear about the two seminaries and the Blessed Diego Luis de
San Vitores Theological Institute, affiliated with the Pontifical Lateran University.
The pope also appreciated the strategic contribution of these institutions offered to the New
Evangelization of Oceania, he said.
As I did when we last met in Korea, I invited him again to visit our island on his way to visit the
Philippines. He assured his prayer for the island and he extended his blessings, the archbishop
said.

Apuron: Accusation 'a horrible calumny'

Subjects: Popes; Catholicism; Sex crimes
Author:
Raymundo, Shawn
Date:
Dec 1, 2014
Start Page: n/a
Section:
Local News
Document Text
Archbishop Anthony Apuron responded this weekend to an allegation that he molested a former high school seminarian
decades ago, stating in a press release that the accusation is "a horrible calumny."
Apuron said because of the allegation, he is "obliged to defend not my person but the Church."
The archbishop said he intends to file a lawsuit for defamation and that any damages received will be given to
charitable causes of the church.
John Toves, a Guamanian who lives in California, has stated in recent letters to the archdiocese that while he was an
altar boy for then-Agat parish priest Anthony Apuron, he had personal knowledge that Apuron allegedly sexually
molested a former co-seminarian.
Toves sent one letter to officials at the Vatican and the Vatican's delegate to the Pacific islands, Archbishop Martin
Krebs.
"I come forward now as I realized that no one else has, and I believe the Archbishop must be held accountable for his
actions," Toves wrote.
Apuron said in the press release that he has dedicated his life to spread the Catholic faith through his words and
actions.
"It has been my sincere effort to urge strict respect for the teachings of our Catholic faith by leading the Church through
prayer, and by example, and in my own behavior," he said.
"I trust that the members of our Guam Catholic family who have observed my actions and leadership for the last 30
years will know in their hearts and spirits that these allegations are false," he said.
Apuron met privately with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Nov. 21 where they spoke about the Catholic Church's role on
Guam and in the Pacific. Toves' letter was sent to Vatican officials and Archbishop Martin Krebs the same day.
The meeting was "a grace for our Church of Guam, and a tremendous gift for me," the archbishop said in the same
press release in which he responded to the allegation.
Apuron added that the pope was interested to learn about the island as they spoke about the Church's evangelization
efforts in the Pacific.
"We spoke of the challenges and the joys of our local Church," Apuron said. "Pope Francis showed interest to know
about Guam and the Pacific."
He also said he invited Pope Francis to come to Guam while he's in the region visiting the Philippines.
Pope Francis told Apuron he would pray for Guam and extended his blessings to the island.
According to the release, Apuron has been advised by his attorney not to answer any questions regarding the
allegation.
ID_Code: M0-312010013

According to the release, Apuron has been advised by his attorney not to answer any questions regarding the
allegation.
Ex-seminarian
wants
Apuron
to
step
down
THURSDAY, 27 NOV 2014 03:00AM
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JOHN Toves, who recently accused Archbishop Anthony Apuron of molesting his cousin in the
1980s, has called on the archbishop to step down.
In a letter to Apuron, Toves wrote: Dear Archbishop, I now most respectfully, graciously,
humbly and lovingly must beseech you to step down.
Toves wrote about Apurons legacy and said Apuron has divided the church for too long. You
must stop and step down. If you continue, would you really want this to be your legacy?
Archbishop (Felixberto Flores) would never have done this to his children, Toves wrote. I can
no longer remain silent.
Toves said his letter was signed and stamped received at the Chancery Office.
In another letter dated Nov. 21, Toves wrote to Deacon Larry Claros alleging that Apuron
molested Toves cousin. Claros was appointed the sexual abuse response coordinator for the
archdiocese effective Oct. 24, according to the archdiocesan website.
Toves accused Apuron of molesting Toves unnamed cousin in the 1980s when Toves and his
cousin were seminarians at Tai Seminary. Toves recalled Apuron picking up his cousin and
bringing him back with some regularity. He also wrote that his cousin told another priest of the
abuse later when the two moved to a seminary in California.
Toves said he expects an investigation to be launched into his allegations and told Claros in his
letter that he expects to be updated regularly about the investigation.
Policy
In 2002, the Archdiocese of Agana released its policy on sexual misconduct and sexual
harassment. The archdioceses policy calls for any priest, deacon, employee or volunteer of the
archdiocese to report the information of suspected sexual misconduct to the archbishop and
appropriate civil authorities.
Afterwards, the archbishop is to promptly verify the report, notify the sexual abuse response
coordinator, direct an archdiocesan investigator to do a complete investigation and direct the
accused person not to have contact with the complainant or the complainants family.
The archdiocese has not publicly responded to Toves claims.
Apuron complaint under review

Subjects: Child abuse & neglect; Sex crimes; Clergy
Author:
Date:
Nov 26, 2014
Start Page: n/a
Section:
Local News
Document Text
The Archdiocese of Agana has stayed silent on a former high school seminarian and altar boy's molestation allegations
against the island's highest Catholic leader.
John C. Toves, 50, has stated in recent letters to the archdiocese that while he was an altar boy for then-Agat parish
priest Anthony Apuron, Toves had personal knowledge that Apuron allegedly sexually molested a former co-
seminarian.
The Pacific Daily News left messages with the Archdiocese of Agana leadership after Toves sent a letter to the
archdiocese, stamped received on Nov. 7; and after Toves' Nov. 21 letter to the archdiocese.
Toves forwarded a copy of his Nov. 21 letter to officials at the Vatican and the Vatican's delegate to the Pacific islands,
Archbishop Martin Krebs.
Apuron had an audience with Pope Francis on Nov. 21, according to News.va, the Vatican's news center, but the
reason for the meeting wasn't public. Apuron was appointed archbishop of the Archdiocese of Agana in 1986.
Deacon Rizal Claros, whom Apuron appointed last month as the "sexual abuse response coordinator," did say briefly
yesterday that there won't be any public comment on the allegations at this time.
The allegations, he said, are "under advisement," or review.
When asked about the archdiocese's process for handling sexual abuse allegations in general, Claros said that policy is
posted on the archdiocesan website.
Written in 2002, the archdiocese "Policy on Sexual Misconduct and Sexual Harassment" states a number of principles
underlie the policy, including:
* The healing of the victim should be the primary concern;
* All allegations of sexual misconduct are to be taken seriously; and
* Incidents of misconduct and harassment are to be handled forthrightly, but with due regard for confidentiality and
privacy;
The policy states when a suspected sexual misconduct involving a priest, deacon, employee or volunteer of the
archdiocese becomes known, the archbishop must promptly:
* verify that any report required by law has been made;
* notify the sexual abuse response coordinator; and
* direct an archdiocesan investigator to do a complete investigation.
Toves, a Guam native who has relocated to San Francisco where he is a gym manager, states the alleged abuse
occurred sometime between 1980 and 1983.
He's speaking out decades later after the archbishop's controversial decisions in recent months, including the removal
of Monsignor James Benavente from his 20-year role as head of the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica in
Hagatna.
Toves wrote to the archbishop: "You have divided the church far too long, and you must step down ... I can no longer
remain silent."
Toves' allegations fall well outside of the three-year time limit to pursue a civil case involving sex abuse against
children.
window for past victims of child sexual abuse to file civil suit in the Superior Court of Guam.
For criminal cases, there's no time limit to pursue a case against an alleged sexual abuse case involving a victim up to
the age of 18, or an adult who has a disability comparable to that of an adolescent, according to Public Law No. 31-6
and Cruz's office.
The archdiocese lobbied against the lifting of the time limit to pursue a criminal case, stating it targeted the Catholic
church, Pacific Daily News files state.
Joelle Casteix, with the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, stated yesterday that victims of abuse by priests
are encouraged to step forward and get help.
"It is only by coming forward, getting help, and demanding accountability that victims can get justice," Casteix stated.
"It is our hope that victims--no matter the abuser--feel empowered by the support that is coming forward on Guam,"
Casteix stated. "It is safe to talk about abuse," Casteix stated. "Attitudes on Guam have changed dramatically since
2010. Victims are being embraced and supported, whistleblowers have champions, and abusers are on notice."
ID_Code: M0-311260007

Written in 2002, the archdiocese "Policy on Sexual Misconduct and Sexual Harassment" states a number of principles
underlie the policy, including: * The healing of the victim should be the primary concern; * All allegations of sexual
misconduct are to be taken seriously; and * Incidents of misconduct and harassment are to be handled forthrightly, but
with due regard for confidentiality and privacy; The policy states when a suspected sexual misconduct involving a priest,
deacon, employee or volunteer of the archdiocese becomes known, the archbishop must promptly: * verify that any
report required by law has been made; * notify the sexual abuse response coordinator; and * direct an archdiocesan
investigator to do a complete investigation.
Archbishop
did
not
meet
with
Pope
Francis
about
accused
pedophile
WEDNESDAY, 26 NOV 2014 03:00AM
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REV. Adrian Cristobal, spokesman for the Archdiocese of Agana, has denied that Archbishop
Anthony Apuron met with Pope Francis last Friday at the Vatican about an accused pedophile.
The International Catholic Press Agency, based in Switzerland, reported that Apuron met with
the pope and is blamed for covering an accused pedophile.
Cristobal said Apuron made the appointment to speak with the pope and was granted an
audience with him. The archbishop was very pleased with the meeting, Adrian said, adding
that Pope Francis was supportive and encouraging, and that the meeting was positive. The
archbishop was not summoned to the Vatican, he stressed.
The content of the meeting has not yet been relayed to Cristobal, but it is expected that when
Apuron returns to Guam, the archbishop will brief him about the meeting.
The meeting of the pope and archbishop was not regarding the accused pedophile. That is
totally inaccurate, Cristobal said.
Molestation allegations
On the same day Apuron met with Pope Francis in Rome, a former Guam seminarian, John
Toves, emailed a letter to Deacon Larry Claros on Guam alleging that Apuron molested Toves
cousin. Claros was appointed the sexual abuse response coordinator for the archdiocese
effective Oct. 24, according to the archdiocesan website.
In the letter from Toves to Claros published on Catholic blogger Tim Rohrs blog, JungleWatch,
Toves wrote that he knew Apuron molested his cousin between 1980 and 1983. This is the first
of any public allegation of molestation against Apuron and archdiocese officials have not
authenticated the contents of the letter nor have they responded publicly to Toves claims.
In Toves letter, dated Nov. 21, he wrote: I know my cousin and brother seminarian, (name
concealed), had been sexually molested by Father Anthony Apuron sometime in the period
between 1980 and 1983. We were both in the seminary at Tai, Guam. I did see that Father
Apuron would pick (name concealed) up from the seminary and then bring him back. This
happened with some regularity as I had noticed this practice enough for it to stay in my
memory.
Toves said he noticed his cousin distancing himself from other seminarians in 1983 when they
went to another seminary in Los Altos, California and sometime after Toves left the seminary in
1985, his cousin attempted suicide.
Toves wrote that his cousin informed one of the priests at the Los Altos seminary that Apuron
had molested him. Toves said other seminarians knew about the abuse and he only revealed it
now because he realized that no one else has. I believe the archbishop must be held
accountable for his actions, Toves wrote to Claros.
Toves hopes the archdiocese will begin an investigation into his allegations. I expect to be
regularly updated as to the status of your investigation, he wrote.
Cristobal did not comment yesterday about Toves letter.
Toves lives in California, according to information he provided in a video he uploaded online this
month, in which he addresses the archbishop and Cristobal.
Apuron accused of abuse: Former seminarian lodges complaint with Vatican

Subjects: Popes; Catholicism; Meetings
Author:
Date:
Nov 25, 2014
Start Page: n/a
Section:
Local News
Document Text
A former Guam seminarian has forwarded a written allegation he's made against Archbishop Anthony Apuron to
Vatican officials.
John C. Toves, a Guamanian who lives in California, sent a letter to the Archdiocese of Agana on Nov. 21. It notes that
a courtesy copy of the letter also was sent to the Vatican.
In it, Toves alleged that a former co-seminarian and relative, who went to school with him at a minor seminary in Guam
between 1980 to 1983, was sexually molested by Apuron.
Apuron couldn't be reached for comment yesterday, through messages left with Archdiocese of Agana officials.
Meeting with pope
Apuron had a meeting with Pope Francis at the Vatican on Nov. 21, but the reason for the meeting was unclear.
Apuron's meeting with the pope was reported by News.va, the Vatican's official news center.
An Apuron critic and a blogger on Catholic issues, Tim Rohr, yesterday said the meeting with the pope didn't appear to
be a routine papal meeting that archbishops like Apuron get with the pope once every five years. Rohr said it wasn't
clear why Apuron met with Pope Francis.
Apuron was still a priest at the time of the alleged abuse, Toves said.
Church officials
Toves stated he forwarded his letter to Archbishop Martin Krebs, the Vatican's delegate in the Pacific islands; Cardinal
Marc Ouellet, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops; and Cardinal Fernando Filoni, prefect of the Congregation for the
Evangelization of Peoples and a former personal envoy of Pope Francis.
"I come forward now as I realized that no one else has, and I believe the Archbishop must be held accountable for his
actions," Toves wrote.
Toves sent a similar letter to the Archdiocese of Agana about two weeks ago, reporting alleged sexual misconduct by
Apuron.
The archdiocese also didn't return a phone call for comment on the earlier letter.
ID_Code: M0-311250003

Church officials Toves stated he forwarded his letter to Archbishop Martin Krebs, the Vatican's delegate in the Pacific
islands; Cardinal Marc Ouellet, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops; and Cardinal Fernando Filoni, prefect of the
Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples and a former personal envoy of Pope Francis.
Apuron
meets
with
pope
over
accused
pedophile
MONDAY, 24 NOV 2014 03:00AM
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AN INTERNATIONAL Catholic news agency based in Zurich, Switzerland, reported that Guam
Archbishop Anthony Apuron met with Pope Francis on Nov. 21.
Apuron is blamed for covering a priest accused of pedophilia, according to an English
translation of the article. The brief report from KIPA/APIC press agency was originally posted in
German and French.
The report did not say who the priest Apuron is accused of hiding. As of yesterday afternoon,
the archbishop had not released a public statement about the meeting with the pope, and Rev.
Adrian Cristobal, spokesman for Apuron, was unavailable for comment yesterday.
In addition to the report from KIPA/APIC, the official press office for the Holy See, Vatican
Information Service, also published information of Apurons meeting with Pope Francis on Nov.
21. The Vatican Information Service did not say why Apuron and the pope met.
Apuron was one of three prominent members of the Church the pope met with that day.
In July, the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests, commonly referred to as SNAP,
published a statement on its website revealing that Rev. John Howard Wadeson was accused
of molesting two children in the 1970s.
Wadeson was among 46 other clergy who have no faculty to minister in Los Angeles. Wadeson
has not been convicted of molesting the children but California church officials deemed the
allegations against Wadeson as credible and he is prohibited from ministering in the Los
Angeles archdiocese.
Wadeson had been serving in the Agana Archdiocese since 2000. Soon after the 40-year-old
allegations against Wadeson were made public this year, Apuron removed Wadeson from
active and public ministry. According to the archdioceses directory, Wadeson had been serving
under the Agana Archdiocese at the Neocatechumenal Center in San Francisco.
After Wadeson was removed from active and public ministry, he published a letter in his
defense in a paid advertisement placed in Guams Catholic newspaper, the U Matuna Si Yuos.
It appeared on page 5 of the July 25 issue.
Wadeson wrote that he was never condemned and the accusation made against him is a
calumny.
After Wadeson was removed from ministry in the Agana Archdiocese, he was also removed
from ministering in San Francisco, where he had been stationed.
Catholic relics at risk: Former volunteers worry about artifacts in closed museum
Subjects: Catholicism; Catholic churches
Author:
Date:
Nov 17, 2014
Start Page: n/a
Section:
Local News
Document Text
Relics of saints and centuries-old baptismal records from the early days of Christianity on Guam are among historical
pieces that have begun to deteriorate before a museum that houses them could open, concerned island residents said
recently.
The relics and artifacts are among close to 1,000 pieces that were supposed to be showcased for the island community
and tourists to see -- and learn from -- in a museum, said Evangeline Lujan, a former volunteer coordinator for the
museum.
The 7,000-square-foot National Museum of the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica was scheduled to open in
August, but after countless hours of volunteer work and donated materials for the museum displays, the museum hasn't
opened to the public.
The museum's opening was aborted as the leadership of the Catholic church went through a publicly debated shakeup.
Archbishop Anthony Apuron announced the museum's indefinite closure on Aug. 3, citing changes in church
administration.
Apuron had fired Monsignor James Benavente from his 20-year position as rector of the Cathedral-Basilica, and it was
Benavente who led the museum project.
The Guam Catholic church took out a $1.12 million loan to build the museum location, Pacific Daily News files show.
As of Friday afternoon, the entrance to the museum remained chained off, and its lights were off.
Symbols of Guam history
Lujan and two other museum volunteers said in separate interviews they're concerned the relics and artifacts that
symbolize the history of the Catholic church on Guam and the community's resilience from war, could be damaged
irreversibly if the local Catholic church leadership turmoil continues.
The museum houses handwritten records of baptisms on Guam that survived the World War II bombing of the old
Cathedral-Basilica, Lujan said. In 1944, a U.S. Marine found the documents in the remains of the Hagatna cathedral,
and in 1998, the documents were returned to the governor of Guam and eventually turned over to the Archdiocese of
Agana, Lujan said.
The documents had started to show mold, Lujan said.
Since it closed, there's been no proper climate control in the museum to keep the relics, especially the delicate ones,
from getting damaged by moisture and humidity, said Tom Quinata, a retired government of Guam art and artifacts
gallery coordinator who also was a volunteer for the Cathedral-Basilica museum.
Quinata said the church leadership discord is secondary to his concern about the condition of the relics.
"My concern is the conservation of the relics," Quinata said.
He said he became more concerned because the centuries-old robe, or cassock, that the Blessed Diego San Vitores
wore before he was martyred is so delicate and sensitive to temperature.
"That is going to deteriorate in time... because there is no air conditioning," Quinata said, adding later: "I think it is fairly
urgent that something needs to be done."
Presence of three holy men
The relics showcase the legacies of three men who set foot on Guam and would later be named blessed and saints.
The museum also displays a portrait of Filipino missionary Pedro Calungsod, who was San Vitores' assistant. San
Vitores and Calungsod were killed in Tumon Bay in 1672 during the early resistance to Christianity, according to
Guampedia.com.
San Vitores was beatified in 1985 and was named Blessed and Calungsod reached sainthood in 2012.
The San Vitores relics were returned from Spain, where they were held for centuries, to Guam a few decades ago,
Lujan said.
The museum also has the formal robe that Pope John Paul II wore when he visited Guam in 1981, Lujan said.
Lujan and museum co-volunteer James Santos said the last time they visited the museum more than a month ago,
some of the delicate pieces were starting to show mold.
Santos is a senior manager for visual merchandising at luxury retailer DFS' Mid-Pacific Division.
Santos said he and his co-workers at DFS volunteered many hours when they had spare time, and the company
donated numerous display materials, including glass display shelves, tons of picture frames, signs and a reception-area
counter, to help the museum prepare to open.
DFS lent its expertise in making the displays cohesive, Santos said.
DFS also provided window covers to keep the relics and artifacts from getting damaged by harsh sunlight, Lujan said.
Santos said Monsignor Benavente sought his help, and when DFS found out, it also helped and many of the company's
employees volunteered helped as well.
"It is a worthwhile cause; we believe in corporate social responsibility," Santos said.
"We were very excited to be part of the project to really show what we have as a culture," Santos said. "That museum
shows the history of the Catholic church on Guam ... I am a Catholic and that's my history as well."
After a lot of volunteer work from many island residents, and with the museum still inaccessible to the public, Santos
said, "I feel very saddened by all of this."
"The last time we were there, we saw mold growing ... It's just a shame."
Quinata said it could only take months before the damage to some of the relics becomes irreversible.
"Given the situation, I am just afraid our children and our children's children won't see the rich religious history of
Guam," Quinata said.
Lujan shed a tear at the thought of possibly losing some of the relics to neglect.
Perhaps, Lujan said, if the church leadership will put differences aside for the common goal of saving the relics, it will
spark a journey toward healing among Guam's divided Catholics.
A message left at the Archdiocese of Agana for comment was not returned as of late Friday.
ID_Code: M0-311170012

The documents had started to show mold, Lujan said. Since it closed, there's been no proper climate control in the
museum to keep the relics, especially the delicate ones, from getting damaged by moisture and humidity, said Tom
Quinata, a retired government of Guam art and artifacts gallery coordinator who also was a volunteer for the Cathedral-
Basilica museum.
Church
to
post
more
financial
statements
THURSDAY, 02 OCT 2014 03:00AM
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THE Archdiocese of Agana will post more financial statements

online once the documents are ready, according to Rev. Adrian
Cristobal, spokesman for the Archdiocese of Agana.
In 2013 the accounting firm Deloitte & Touche LLP conducted a
review of the archdiocese's financial statements. The
archdiocese published the review on its website last Friday. A
statement accompanying the review said reports on finances of
the seminary, Catholic Cemeteries of Guam and Catholic Social
Services will be disclosed separately on their respective
websites.
Since then, however, no additional financial information has been
released. We do plan on posting them but as of this time they
are not ready, Cristobal said yesterday. Once they are
complete, they should be posted. Cristobal did not provide a
time when they might be posted.
Archbishop Anthony Apuron earlier

said in a statement that the
archdiocese would publish
financial statements; the result
was the financial review report
posted last Friday. Variety file
photo
The Concerned Catholics of Guam called the archdioceses

finances into question earlier this year. The groups website is an announcement urging
Archbishop Anthony Apuron to publish an independent auditors report of the archdioceses
finances. The announcement calls on Apuron to disclose the statement of financial position,
statement of activities and statement of cash flow. According to DomainTools, the groups
website was created on June 26, 2014.
In July, following the removal of Monsignor James Benavente for financial mismanagement,
Apuron said in a statement that the archdiocese would publish financial statements; the result
was the financial review report posted last Friday.
The financial statements published online include a statement of activities for year-ending June
30, 2012 and a statement of activities for year-ending June 30, 2013. Additionally an
accountants review report was also uploaded online, which is less in scope than an
independent audit.
A statement of cash flow and 92 percent of the archdioceses assets were not included in the
accountants review, according to the review report posted online.

Most
archdiocesan
assets
excluded
from
Deloitte
accounting
review
MONDAY, 29 SEP 2014 03:00AM
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DELOITTE & Touche LLP's accounting review of the Archdiocese of Aganas financial
statements covers only a fraction of the archdioceses total assets, according to the recently
published letter from Deloitte & Touche.
Land and property, plant and equipment assets were excluded from the scope of work so
Deloitte & Touche accountants did not review land, property, plant and equipment which make
up 92 percent of the archdioceses total assets.
According to the archdioceses Statement of Financial Position dated June 30, 2012, property,
plant and equipment were valued at $66.7 million. Property, plant and equipment are one of the
archdioceses largest category of assets, second only to land.
The Statement of Financial Position indicated land assets were valued at $97.8 million.
Due to the exclusion of land and property, plant and equipment from the scope of our
engagement, we did not perform review procedures on land and property, plant and equipment,
which constitute 92 percent of the organizations total assets, Deloitte & Touche accountants
wrote.
The review was originally dated Oct. 31, 2013 but published online on Friday. The financial
statements were posted online almost two months after Archbishop Anthony Apuron stated that
the churchs finances would be disclosed to the community, following a string of contrasting
statements between the archdiocese and concerned Catholics.
The independent accountants review report of the Archdiocese of Agana focused on applying
analytical procedures to the churchs financial data and inquiring about the archdioceses
management, the letter stated. An independent opinion of the churchs finances is not released
in an independent accountants review since a review is not an audit. A review is substantially
less in scope than an audit, the report said.
In addition to the exclusion of land and plant and equipment, a statement of cash flow was not
presented to Deloitte & Touche accountants, which is required by accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America.
The report also stated that the accountants were unsatisfied with the lack of details on
beginning balances and as a result, the impact of beginning balances on the statement of
activities remains unknown.
As for the statement of activities, the Archdiocese of Agana, which is comprised of 26 parishes,
nine catholic schools and the chancery office, recorded total revenues of about $26.2 million at
the end of June 30, 2012, the report stated. Losses and expenses were reported to be $26.5
million ending the same year.
More than half of the revenue the church received was from tuition and fees, which accounted
for about $15.8 million of the total $26.2 million revenue.
The largest expense for the Archdiocese of Agana was salaries and wages, which were listed
as $10.7 million.
Except for excluding cash flow statement and land, property, plant and equipment assets, the
accountants reported that they were not aware of any material modifications that should be
made to the financial statements.
The archdiocese also indicated in a statement on Friday that the review reports of the Catholic
Cemeteries of Guam, the Redemptoris Mater Archdiocesan Missionary Seminary and the
Catholic Social Services organizations would be available on their respective websites. As of
yesterday, the reports had not been published online.

September 2, 2014
Fight within Church goes back 20 years

By Tim Rohr
Many are probably wondering "What on Earth?" as the fight within the local Catholic Church spills into
the streets and onto the pages of newspapers and nightly news. It's a mess by anybody's reckoning.
And it's time for an explanation.
The war is not new. It has been 20 years in the making. Twenty years ago, a certain Fr. Pius Sammut
arrived on Guam to plant the Neocatechumenal Way -- a particular approach to Christianity started in
the 1960s in Spain. Fr. Pius found a warm welcome in Archbishop Apuron and together they set off to
plant the Neo flag in Guam.
There are many different groups within the Church, but none have caused such division as the
Neocatechumenal Way. The cause of this division is inherent in its structure. For whereas the holy
sacrifice of the Mass is the central prayer and unifying act of all Catholics regardless of what group they
may or may not belong to, the Neocatechumenal Way celebrates its own version of the Mass apart from
the rest of the Church, and usually not even in a church.
It would be difficult to explain the different levels of authority they have or don't have to do this. The
bottom line is that regardless of those permissions or lack of them, the Neocatechumenal Way practices
have led to the painful division that is now spilling into the street.
For several years, parishioners found ways to go along to get along. And it might still be that way except
for what happened in January of 2006.
In December of 2005, Pope Benedict, through the Cardinal Prefect for the Congregation for Divine
Worship, ordered the Neocatechumenal Way to cease receiving communion seated and to receive like
the rest of the Church: standing or kneeling.
One month later, Archbishop Apuron took to the air on Catholic radio, publicly criticizing the directive
and calling the cardinal's credentials into question, even though the directive written by the cardinal
began with the words: "I am to inform you of the Holy Father's decisions."
So in January of 2006, Archbishop Apuron effectively not only gave a public "no" to the Holy Father, but
in addition ridiculed both his messenger and his message. This was major and the listeners knew it!
At that moment, Guam Catholics had before them their archbishop publicly siding against the Holy
Father, and with a group, whose leader, Kiko Arugello, had also publicly opposed the same papal
directive. The question for Guam's Catholics at that moment became: Do we go with Pope Benedict? Or
do we go with Kiko Arguello, whom Archbishop Apuron is now publicly and officially following?
But there was also a third possibility: Maybe the archbishop had simply made a mistake. I had hoped it
was the latter. However, that hope was wiped away the following day.
The show on which the archbishop had spoken was a regular Monday morning program, and the show
was normally replayed the same afternoon and twice more later in the week.
Fr. Mike Crisostomo, the host of the program, was very aware of the archbishop's damaging statement
and immediately ordered the replay pulled. However, no explanation was given to my son, the
technician responsible for its replay.
With the news of the archbishop's statement spreading like wildfire, many were tuned in at 3 p.m. that
afternoon to hear the replay. There was none. The phone at the station began ringing. Callers wanted to
know why. My son, not having any other information, simply answered: "I don't know. They just told me
not to play it."
Obviously, this added fuel to the fire and an emergency meeting was called to come up with an
explanation for pulling the show for next two scheduled replays.
I was at the meeting and so was the archbishop. Everyone knew the gravity of the situation. The right
thing to do would have been for the archbishop to simply state that he had misspoke and apologize for
the confusion. That didn't happen.
Instead, a member of the clergy proposed that we blame the missing replay on "technical difficulties."
The room fell silent. The archbishop said nothing. We had just all been asked to lie. I waited. Silence.
Finally, I said: "That's a lie."
And I am still saying it.
Archbishop: Deep debt prompted monsignor's ouster

Author:
Date:
Jul 29, 2014
Start Page: n/a
Section:
Local News
Document Text
Two entities under Guam's Catholic church have about $7 million in debts that have been reduced only "marginally,"
and the financial woes led to a change in administration, Archbishop Anthony Apuron stated yesterday.
The archbishop recently announced the removal of Monsignor James Benavente from being rector at the Numbre de
Maria Cathedral-Basilica. The Cathedral-Basilica and the Catholic Cemeteries of Guam incurred the debts, the
archbishop stated.
The $7 million accounts for about "one quarter" of the total indebtedness of the Archdiocese of Agana, the archbishop
stated.
This story is developing.
ID_Code: M0-140729008
Cathedral
may
face
penalties
if
pay
checks
withheld
THURSDAY, 28 AUG 2014 03:00AM
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A MEMO dated Aug. 4 from the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilicas new rector to
cathedral employees advised against reporting confidential information and said payroll checks
from earlier that week would not be released until employees acknowledged the confidentiality
notice.
Withholding earned salary, however, is against Guam labor laws, according to Department of
Labor Director Manny Cruz. Its a violation. He cannot withhold it because you already earned
it, Cruz said. He has to release that.
Blogger Tim Rohr published a copy of the memo online from an employee who chose to remain
anonymous. On the memos second page is written, Unauthorized access and disclaimer of
confidential information are grounds for disciplinary action, including but not limited to,
termination of employment. All payroll checks issued for the pay period ending on Sunday, Aug.
1, 2014, shall not be released until the employee has acknowledged notification of this policy
both with signature and date, which shall be in the form below.
Roman Quinata, administrator at DOLs Wage and Hour Division, said employers must pay
employees within seven days of the end of the pay period as cited in Guam law. According to
Cruz, an employer could lose his or her business license if DOL investigates and finds that
employees checks were withheld for more than seven days.
Rohr said he knows of two employees who, as of yesterday afternoon, still had not received
their paychecks from the pay period that ended Aug. 1.
Report
While DOLs Cruz and Quinata have yet to receive an official complaint at their office based on
the Cathedral-Basilicas memo, they said if employees are aware of employers violating this law
they should come forward and report it to authorities.
Cruz said after a complaint is filed, DOL investigates the matter and determines how to
proceed.
Rev. Adrian Cristobal said he had no knowledge of the memo from the Cathedral-Basilica since
he is in charge of Archdiocese of Agana affairs, which does not always include the Cathedral-
Basilica.
Quitugua was unavailable for comment yesterday.

Problem with The Way is its leadership

Subjects: Popes; Etiquette; Leadership
Author:
Rohr, Tim
Date:
Aug 17, 2014
Start Page: n/a
Section:
Columnists - Opinion
Document Text
In his Aug. 6 letter to the editor, Fr. Adrian Cristobal protests that the Pacific Daily News committed "an injustice against
the Catholic Church" by referring to the Neocatechumenal Way, or NCW, as a "sect." He goes on to trumpet the
recognition of four popes and the papal approval of its statutes.
Let's address each of these.
1. The recognition of four popes.
The NCW or "The Way" is just one of more than 100 "ecclesial realities" (lay movements) recognized by the Catholic
Church and "accompanied" (governed) by the Vatican dicastery known as the Pontifical Council for the Laity.
All of these groups, since they have the official recognition of the Vatican, have the "blessing" of the popes; and some,
being older than the "The Way," have more blessings by more popes.
However, only "The Way" or, more precisely, its leadership, regularly translates "blessing" as license to do other than
what it is constituted and permitted to do.
For instance, the NCW's constituting document (its statute) states that the implementation of the NCW in a parish is to
be in cooperation with the pastor. However, as most non-neo pastors in Guam can tell you, pastors are ignored,
scolded, and (as was the case with Fr. Paul Gofigan) even threatened by the real leaders of the NCW, the "catechists."
In 2010, the abuse of pastors by these catechists had become so bad in the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan,
Philippines, that its archbishop, Socrates Villegas, imposed a moratorium on the NCW, stating:
"There is a prevailing sentiment of superiority among the community members ... resulting in a disdainful attitude
towards those who are not walking The Way or have stopped joining the meetings. Besides, disdainful and disrespectful
remarks about my predecessor, about some priests and even about my own person, have been repeatedly heard from
the catechists of the communities contrary to good manners, upright conduct, filial respect and Christian charity."
In 2011, the situation was even worse in Japan, causing the Japanese bishops en masse to petition Rome to oust the
NCW from their country altogether.
Rome replied by reaffirming the right of each bishop to repress the NCW in his own diocese as he saw fit -- though the
NCW still spins this as a rejection by Rome of the bishops' en masse petition.
2. The papal approval of its statutes.
The statute of the NCW received definitive approval from the Vatican in 2008. The document defines and regulates the
teachings and praxis of the NCW. This means that the NCW has Rome's "blessing" only insofar as it conforms to its
statute. Departure from the provisions of the statute constitute grounds to suspect it as a "sect" and treat its activities as
"sectarian."
The leaders of the NCW violate their own statute regularly at every eucharistic celebration (their Mass) when they
distribute the consecrated bread in a manner not permitted by their statute. And this is just one of the abuses.
The real problem with the Neocatechumenal Way is not the violation -- even the persistent violation -- of its regulatory
norms. Even Rome has shown that it is willing to look the other way when it comes to a few weeds growing with the
wheat.
Rather, the real problem with the Neocatechumenal Way, or more specifically, its leadership, is the aggressive sense of
superiority, the disrespect and the disdain for others, as described by Archbishop Villegas.
While Catholics in such countries as the Philippines and Japan can depend on their bishops to go to bat for them
against this damaging and aggressive disdain for our faith, our people, our priests and our culture, our problem on
Guam is a bishop who is one of them.
Tim Rohr is a resident of Agat.

ID_Code: M0-308170007

In 2010, the abuse of pastors by these catechists had become so bad in the Archdiocese of Lingayen-Dagupan,
Philippines, that its archbishop, Socrates Villegas, imposed a moratorium on the NCW, stating: "There is a prevailing
sentiment of superiority among the community members ... resulting in a disdainful attitude towards those who are not
walking The Way or have stopped joining the meetings.
Archdiocese
still
intends
to
publish
financial
statements
FRIDAY, 15 AUG 2014 03:00AM
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SINCE Archbishop Anthony Apuron released a letter from accounting firm Deloitte & Touche
last month, no other financial record has been published by the Archdiocese of Agana, but
spokesman Rev. Adrian Cristobal said they intend to disclose church finances soon.
At this time, we do not have a definite date as to when we will publish additional financial
information, Cristobal said. But please be assured that we do intend to provide financial
information in the future.
In a July 31 statement, Apuron assured the public that he would publicize financial information
related to the archdiocese. As I have previously stated, we will release shortly the full financial
reports and financial reviews for all diocesan entities, Apuron said.
That statement and a Jan. 8, 2014 letter to Apuron from Deloitte & Touche were recently
published in last Sundays edition of the U Matuna, the archdioceses newspaper.
Apuron said that mismanagement of churchs finances was the reason he decided to change
the administration at the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica last month. The change in
administration included the removal of Monsignor James Benavente as rector of the Cathedral-
Basilica.
After Benaventes removal, five finance professionals who had firsthand experience with the
archdioceses finances publicly defended Benavente from accusations made by Apuron against
him. Also, since he was removed as rector, The National Museum at the Cathedral-Basilica,
one of Benaventes projects, was closed indefinitely.
The new rector is Monsignor David Quitugua.
Observers of the church have tied Apurons recent actions to his membership with the
Neocatechemunal Way, but the archbishop has not explicitly commented on his ties to the
group.

Apuron
had
no
knowledge
of
National
Museum
closure
FRIDAY, 08 AUG 2014 03:00AM
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LAST Sundays closure of The National Museum in the Dulce

Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica was a decision made
without Archbishop Anthony Apurons knowledge, said Rev.
Adrian Cristobal, spokesman for the Archdiocese of Agana.
Cristobal said just when the museum was ready to open, a
decision to close the museum was made without the knowledge
of the archbishop or the new rector.
Furthermore, the announcement to close was disseminated in
the Cathedral-Basilica and the media, again, without the
permission of the archbishop nor the rector, Cristobal said. The
situation is under evaluation with the hope of having a viable
museum in the future to showcase our cherished history and
tradition.
The museum opened for a mere

seven hours on Sunday, Aug. 3,
before it was closed ''indefinitely.''
The museum and the gift shop
were under the responsibility of
Monsignor James Benavente as
rector for the Cathedral-Basilica.
Photo by Jasmine Stole / Variety
The museum opened for a mere seven hours on Sunday, Aug. 3,

before it was closed indefinitely. The announcement was
printed in parish bulletins that day. Museum volunteers James
Santos, a visual merchandiser with DFS Galleria, and Vangie
Lujan said they did not know who made the decision but both were upset that the museum
would be closed.
Lujan called the museums closure collateral damage, in connection with the removal of
Monsignor James Benavente as rector for the Cathedral-Basilica. The museum and the gift
shop were under the responsibility of Benavente as rector. The printed announcement in parish
bulletins only cited a new administration as the reason for the museums indefinite closure,
referring to the Monsignor David Quituga, who was assigned as the new rector.
More than 1,000 pieces were showcased in the museum, some more than 400 years old. Many
were items donated by parishioners or local residents and some were owned by the church.
After the museum closed, residents were able to collect their items, if they decided to do so.
The only items that were removed from the museum display were donated artifacts and
individuals who were concerned about their items arranged to retrieve them, Cristobal said.
Not true
Accounts that artifacts had been removed from the National Museum by seminarians are not
true, Cristobal said. No artifacts were handled by seminarians from the Redemptoris Mater
Archdiocesan Missionary Seminary of Guam, he said. The seminarians were helping move
boxes with items belonging to the new rector into the Cathedral-Basilicas Pastoral Center that
day, Cristobal said.
We apologize for the confusion that this incident has caused, especially to the families,
individuals and groups that have donated their beloved personal artifacts as well as valuable
time and support, Cristobal said.
Cristobal said the archbishop is not planning on addressing recent accusations made against
him at this time and said the archdiocese of Agana has no comment about Wednesdays press
conference held by finance professionals who had been involved with archdiocesan financial
matters.
Apuron removed Benavente as rector effective July 25 because of financial mismanagement.
Prior to his removal, Benavente had served as rector for 20 years.
On Wednesday, the five finance professionals disputed the claim that Benavente was tied to
problems with the Cathedral-Basilicas or Catholic Cemeteries finances.
On July 31, Apuron publicized problems with both entities that he said were discovered upon a
financial review by accounting firm Deloitte & Touche. It was these finance problems that
prompted him to make a change in administration.
Benaventes removal came days after Apuron removed Rev. John Wadeson after old
allegations of sexual misconduct were publicized by the Survivors Network of those Abused by
Priest last month.

Church
shakeup
just
the
beginning
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Benavente supporters refute Apurons claims

ON THE steps of the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica
yesterday morning, five finance professionals who have had
firsthand experience dealing with the Archdiocese of Aganas
finances came forward yesterday to publicly dispute Archbishop
Anthony Apurons claim that Monsignor James Benavente was
removed as rector due to financial mismanagement.
This public display of contention, however, is just the beginning of
more demonstrations against the archbishop, according to Tim
Rohr, Catholic blogger on the local Junglewatch blog. Rohr
addressed the Rotary Club of Northern Guam yesterday and
explained the history behind the current dispute among members
of the local Catholic community.
Tim Rohr, Catholic blogger on the

local Junglewatch blog, addressed
the Rotary Club of Northern Guam
yesterday and explained the
history behind the current dispute
among members of the local
Catholic community. Photo by
Matt Weiss / Variety
Rohr said protests and public votes in opposition to Apurons

abilities are being planned by high-profile church members.
What we have to do on Guam is we have to make enough noise
to be heard in Rome. And thats what began happening, Rohr
said. There will be a lot of noise and what happened on the steps of the Cathedral by these
men is just the beginning.
Mismanagement claim far from true
While Benavente was not present at yesterdays news conference at the Cathedral-Basilica, five
church members who worked with him to manage the Catholic Cemeteries and Cathedral-
Basilica finances spoke in his favor.
Based on our review of the financial position of both the Cathedral-Basilica and the Catholic
Cemeteries, it is our professional opinion that the allegation of financial mismanagement was
not supported by the facts, Joseph Rivera said yesterday. Rivera is the former director of the
Bureau of Budget and Management Research.
Rivera was joined by Art Ilagan, former director of the Department of Revenue and Taxation
and current insurance and banking commissioner; Rick Duenas, a certified public accountant;
Richard Untalan, past chairman of the Archdiocesan Finance Council; and Deacon Steve
Martinez, former finance officer of the archdiocese of Agana.
Prior to Benaventes removal, Rivera said he, Ilagan and Duenas had been asked by
Benavente to help implement recommendations from accounting firm Deloitte & Touche to
improve the Cathedral-Basilicas finances.
We felt compelled to speak out after the archbishop released a statement accusing Monsignor
James of financial practices that were grave and detrimental to the archdiocese. Nothing is
further from the truth, Rivera said.
A letter from Benavente addressed to the archbishop was part of a press packet distributed
yesterday. Benaventes response further refuted claims Apuron had written about on July 31.
Benavente wrote that two deficiencies Apuron highlighted were resolved prior to the beginning
of this year. Additionally, another two issues were corrected by May 21.
One issue, the reporting of land as an asset under the Catholic Cemeteries fund, was known to
the archbishop, Benavente wrote. It should be noted that before the Deloitte audit, the only
person who could have known that the land was also recorded on the archdiocese books was
you, as archbishop, and Deacon Dominic Kim, the monsignor wrote. Your letter is absolutely
wrong in stating that the property was used to secure a loan. The cemetery lands were never
used as collateral for any loan by the Catholic cemeteries or the archdiocese.
Benavente added that the use of land as collateral was addressed and clarified in a 2012 letter
addressed to Kim, which Apuron was also copied on.
The final item in question was also in the process of being resolved, but Benavente was
removed and re-assigned which halted his progress. The monsignor wrote that he would have
completed the final recommendation by Deloitte & Touche by the Aug. 15 deadline Apuron
implemented.
In his letter to Apuron, Benavente also indicated that the Cathedral-Basilicas financial problems
preceded his term as rector. Benavente has been appointed parochial vicar at St. Anthony
parish in Tamuning.
No audit from Apuron
Current Parish Council President Gerald Taitano had written a letter to the archbishop
requesting a copy of an audit report by Monday, Aug. 4. Taitano said as of yesterday afternoon,
he had not received the audit as requested.
I wasnt expecting a copy. If Monsignor James, the rector, didnt receive a copy, how was I
going to expect one, Taitano said. Taitano has been president of the parish council for about
10 years and during his tenure, hes seen significant improvements to the Catholic cemeteries
on island and the Cathedral-Basilica, he said.
He also said he was upset when The National Museum in the Cathedral-Basilica was closed
indefinitely. Now, the parish council president is concerned that church facilities will deteriorate
to the state they were in before Benavente spearheaded their renovation.
Since Benaventes departure a week ago, Taitano still has not met with new rector Monsignor
David Quitugua nor has he spoken to Apuron. Parish council members and finance council
members are hesitant to be involved with operations, he said.
Theres a lot of uncertainty in the church right now, he said. But were still praying; were still
going to pray.
Apuron
was
asked
for
financial
statement
in
2012
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A LETTER from the former Apostolic Delegate for the Pacific,

Archbishop Charles Balvo, to Guam Archbishop Anthony Apuron
dated March 7, 2012, requested that a financial report be turned
in to him as is the requirement for every diocese.
Balvo wrote to Apuron that he had not received a financial
statement from the Archdiocese of Agana since 2007 and up to
the time he wrote the letter in 2012.
Further, Balvo pointed out that every diocese is required to have
a finance council and that consent of the finance council is
required for acts of alienation.
In 2012, former finance council member Richard Untalan wrote to
Balvo with his concerns about an alienation or assignment of the
Yona property upon which the Redemptoris Mater seminary is
built. Untalan wrote that he and three other council members
agreed that they were terminated by Apuron because they voted
against transferring the title of that land, a vote which was not
supported by Apuron.
Five finance professionals disputed

Archbishop Anthony Apurons claim
of financial mismanagement
against Monsignor James
Benavente during a news
conference yesterday. Photo by
In his letter to the Guam archbishop, Balvo wrote that consent is required from the finance
council and the college of consultors. If these do not give their consent, the diocesan bishop is
not free to do as he pleases, Balvo wrote.
Calls to the archbishops spokesman have not been returned.
Copies of the letter were sent to the media yesterday, hours after finance professionals called a
news conference to refute Apurons claims of financial mismanagement against Monsignor
James Benavente.
Puzzle
Balvos letter is one more piece to the puzzle that has been unfolding over the last two weeks.
Benavente was removed as the rector of the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica in
Hagatna on July 25. Four days later, Apuron released a statement that said a change in
administration was necessary after a financial review unveiled financial mismanagement.
Two days after that, on July 31, Apuron released another statement detailing five discrepancies
against the Cathedral-Basilica and the Catholic Cemeteries, both entities that were under the
purview of Benavente.
Benavente then sent a letter yesterday addressing each discrepancy Apuron noted and
disputed each claim. Benavente wrote that four of the five problems Apuron listed were resolved
before May 21 and Benavente was in the process of rectifying the final item but was removed
from his position and the documents were confiscated by the new rector, Monsignor David
Quitugua.
Five finance professionals also disputed Apurons claim of financial mismanagement during a
news conference yesterday.
Since he was removed as rector, Benavente has been reassigned to work as parochial vicar at
the St. Anthony Catholic School.

Pope's delegate replies to Guam parishioners

Subjects: Catholicism; Catholic churches
Author:
Date:
Aug 6, 2014
Start Page: n/a
Section:
Local News
Document Text
Archbishop Martin Krebs, the pope's delegate to Guam and other Pacific islands, has responded to Guam parishioners'
calls for the Vatican to intervene in the local church community's leadership turmoil.
Monsignor James Benavente's recent removal as rector of the Agana Cathedral-Basilica prompted a letter-writing
campaign, which was launched at a prayer rally last week on the cathedral steps.
Archbishop Anthony Apuron has said Benavente was removed because of financial problems at the cathedral and at
the church-run cemeteries.
Critics of the decision have cited a rift between some Guam Catholics and those who belong to the Neocatechumenal
Way, which is a movement within the church.
A few hundred people attended the gathering in support of Benavente, whom supporters call "the people's priest."
Jon Calvo, a family friend of Benavente, yesterday said Krebs replied to some of the Guam Catholics who sent letters to
the Vatican and to the Vatican delegate in the Pacific.
Franklin "Frankie" Gutierrez, a church choir member at the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica, shared the
email he received from Krebs.
The Aug. 1 email states: "Dear Franklin, I have received your important message and have taken due note of it."
Krebs also acknowledged that Gutierrez's message was sent to the Secretariat of the Congregation for the
Evangelization of Peoples, which holds office in the Vatican. The secretariat is responsible for "the formation of the
clergy and of local hierarchies," its website sites.
Krebs, who recently visited Guam, didn't specifically say whether an investigation will happen.
Residence vacated
Benavente moved out of the rector's residence at the Cathedral-Basilica yesterday.
Some of his friends and supporters brought his personal belongings -- some in boxes and in luggages -- out of the
rector's residence.
He's been assigned to be the parochial vicar at St. Anthony's Church, in Tamuning.
Benavente thanked those who prayed for him and continue to support him, but declined to comment on whether he's
filing a formal challenge against his termination.
Gutierrez wrote to Krebs on July 31, saying Benavente's ouster has made him question Apuron's leadership.
Gutierrez also shared with Krebs that he was a Baptist who joined the Catholic faith when he and wife Lisa had their
first child. Through Benavente, Gutierrez said, his family became an active part of the Catholic church. A musician,
Gutierrez has been a part of the church's choir since 2010.
"I pray our church stays intact and Monsignor James returns to his rightful place as rector of the Cathedral," Gutierrez
wrote.
Gutierrez told Krebs about the July 27 announcement -- during Mass at the cathedral -- that Benavente had been
removed.
A pianist, Gutierrez told Krebs: "My body and hands were shaking and I was barely able to play the rest of the Mass. I
really wanted to just walk out and quit. But I know Monsignor James would want us to stay and keep the church
together."
Gutierrez also wrote that the Neocatechumenal Way movement, which Apuron is affiliated with, has caused division in
the local Catholic church.
"This type of behavior needs to stop and these (Neocatechumenal Way leaders) removed from our Church," Gutierrez
wrote.
A leader of the Neocatechumenal Way on Guam, Father Pius Sammut, recently responded to the criticism, stating in
part: "I think that this campaign of disinformation is detrimental to everybody."
Guam resident and "The Thoughtful Catholic" blogger Charles White started an online petition yesterday, calling for
Pius to be investigated by his Carmelite superiors.
ID_Code: M0-308060007

Critics of the decision have cited a rift between some Guam Catholics and those who belong to the Neocatechumenal
Way, which is a movement within the church.
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Monsignor: Archbishop's statements on finances 'absolutely wrong'

Subjects: Funeral homes; Press conferences; Cemeteries
Author:
Date:
Aug 6, 2014
Start Page: n/a
Section:
Local News
Document Text
Monsignor James Benavente responded directly to Archbishop Anthony Apuron, in a letter sent today, on Apuron's
previous public statements of financial mismanagement and financial record-keeping problems under Benavente's watch.
Some of the archbishop's statements were "absolutely wrong," Benavente wrote.
A group of Guam financial experts also held a press conference this morning, saying the archbishop's statements weren't
factual.
On Apuron's public statement that the Catholic Cemeteries of Guam used land that was not under its name, but was
instead under the Archdiocese of Agana, as collateral for a loan, Benavente wrote:
"Regarding the recording of the land at the Catholic Cemeteries as an asset, the Deloitte & Touche (letter) acknowledges
this correction in their letter of Jan. 8, 2014. It should be noted that before the Deloitte audit, the only persons who could
have have known that the land was also recorded on the Archdiocese books was you, as archbishop, and Deacon
Dominic Kim. Additionally, your letter is absolutely wrong in stating that the property was used to secure a loan.... This
clarification was pointed out to Deacon Kim in 2012, and a copy of that letter was also given to you."
* On the archbishop's public statement that the recording of building assets was duplicated and construction project
documents couldn't be found, Benavente wrote:
"The initial financial statement of the Catholic Cemeteries did include a duplication of building assets but this item was
corrected very early on in the review process. Even the Deloitte & Touche letter dated Jan. 8, 2014 acknowledges this
correction. Your letter of July 31, 2014 to the media inaccurately states that after seven months the construction
documents for (Catholic Cemeteries projects) have yet to be produced. Copies of the actual construction documents were
submitted to your finance officer, Dominic Kim, who requested them."
"In summary, out of the five allegations contained in your letter to the media of July 31, 2014, two had already been
resolved prior to the Jan. 8, 2014 letter from Deloitte to you, and two others were corrected and submitted to Deacon Kim
with the May 21, 2014 transmittal,"
"The final item is being worked on and could have been completed before the deadline of Aug. 15 you had set for us in
your June 26 letter," Benavente wrote. "However, because the records were confiscated by the new administration, we
are unable to complete the work begun."
Apuron fired Benavente from being the rector of the Dolce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica and as the Catholic
Cemeteries director more than a week ago, stating that the Cathedral-Basilica and the Catholic Cemeteries had been
poorly managed.
Financial experts who were privy to the archdiocesan finances held today's press conference on the front steps of the
Dulce Nombre De Maria Cathedral-Basilica to state that the archbishop's public statements didn't match with facts.
"Nothing could be further from the truth," said Joe Rivera, former GovGuam budget director. Rivera was joined by Art
Ilagan, Rev and Tax commissioner; Rick Duenas; Gerald Taitano, president of the Agana Cathedral-Basilica Parish
Council, and Richard Untalan, former president of the Archdiocesan Finance Council, at the press conference, held
outside the Cathedral-Basilica.
ID_Code: M0-140806004

On Apuron's public statement that the Catholic Cemeteries of Guam used land that was not under its name, but was
instead under the Archdiocese of Agana, as collateral for a loan, Benavente wrote: "Regarding the recording of the land
at the Catholic Cemeteries as an asset, the Deloitte & Touche (letter) acknowledges this correction in their letter of Jan. 8,
2014.
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UPDATE: Vatican delegate responds to letters from Guam

Subjects: Catholic churches; Catholicism; Leadership; Religious congregations
Author:
Date:
Aug 5, 2014
Start Page: n/a
Section:
Local News
Document Text
Archbishop Martin Krebs, the pope's New Zealand-based delegate to Guam and other parts of the Pacific, has
responded to letters sent by some of Guam's Catholics who are calling for the Vatican to intervene in the local church
community's leadership turmoil.
Krebs responded to a letter that church choir member Franklin "Frankie" Gutierrez Jr. wrote. Other parishioners have
also received responses from Krebs.
The Aug. 1 letter from Krebs states:
"Dear Franklin,
I have received your important message and have taken due note of it.
I have also noted the copy of your message sent to the Secretariat of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of
Peoples."
Guam parishioners last week began a letter-writing campaign and sent their letters to Krebs and to the Congregation for
the Evangelisation of Peoples, an office in the Vatican.
The letter-writing campaign was launched at a rally attended by hundreds of Catholics at the steps of the Cathedral-
Basilica on Tuesday last week.
Gutierrez wrote to Krebs that the abrupt removal of Monsignor James Benavente from being rector of the Dulce
Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica for nearly 20 years, has left him to question Archdiocese of Agana Archbishop
Anthony Apuron's leadership.
"I pray our Church stays intact and Monsignor James returns to his rightful place as rector of the Cathedral," Gutierrez
wrote.
Gutierrez wrote that he believes the Neocatechumenical Way movement, which the archbishop is affiliated with, has
caused division in the local Catholic church.
"I pray our Church stays intact and Monsignor James returns to his rightful place as Rector of the Cathedral. This type
of behavior needs to stop and these Neos removed from our Church ... This is something no one should ever have to
deal with... rather than look up to our leader -- the archbishop -- I find myself now questioning his leadership and my
faith in our Church," Gutierrez wrote.
"I ask for you to try to help us fix/repair these problems and help Monsignor James Benavente. It is obvious that we
need an outside source to assist before it's too late and more Catholics lose sight of our Church and their faith,"
Gutierrez wrote.
More than a week after the archbishop was stripped of the Cathedral-Basilica's leadership, he was told to move out of
the rector's residence at the Cathedral-Basilica.
Benavente and some of his friends and supporters brought his personal belongings -- some in boxes and in luggages -
out of the Cathedral-Basilica rector's residence to a vehicle this morning.
Benavente's personal belongings will go to the St. Anthony/St. Victor Catholic Church in Tamuning. Other boxes are
headed for storage.
Benavente has been given the demoted assignment of parochial vicar at St. Anthony parish. Msgr. Benavente thanked
people who prayed for him and continue to support him.
He declined to comment on the details on what's he going to do next.
ID_Code: M0-140805016

Archbishop Martin Krebs, the pope's New Zealand-based delegate to Guam and other parts of the Pacific, has
responded to letters sent by some of Guam's Catholics who are calling for the Vatican to intervene in the local church
community's leadership turmoil.
The Way shows signs of a cult or sect

Subjects: Human rights; Arrests; Aliens; Legal counsel; Border patrol
Author:
White, Charles
Date:
Aug 4, 2014
Start Page: A.13
Section:
Opinion
Document Text
The imposition of the Neocatechumenal Way upon the Catholic Church in Guam is a root cause of the controversies
recently reported here in this newspaper.
The Neocatechumenal Way, as many already know, is a movement within the Catholic Church that started in the '60s in
Spain. It now has spread across the world and it is reported to have over a million members. It has received some level
of approval from the last several popes, but not without also receiving some stern warnings from those same popes.
Why is the Neocatechumenal Way stirring discussions and controversy? In a nutshell, "The Way" exhibits many of the
classic signs of a cult or sect, and it's this sectarianism that is the source of most of the problems. When I say "cult,"
please know that I am not comparing them to something as dangerous as Jim Jones' Peoples Temple, I'm just saying
that they exhibit some alarming cultish tendencies.
Here are some examples of their sectarianism:
*Adherents call their movement "the Way" and the definite article "the" seems to be no accident, because time after
time, their pastoral practice suggests that they believe that there is no other way.
*Members of the Neocatechumenal Way practice their faith in a way that largely separates them from their parishes.
For example, they celebrate Mass away from the Church proper every Saturday night, instead of attending normal
parish Masses. While they insist that these Masses are open to others, in practice, they are not. They are not even
published in the parish bulletin. Even the high holy days of the Triduum -- Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter -- are
celebrated apart from the parish.
*The is a definite cult of personality surrounding the founder of the Neocatechumenal Way, Francisco "Kiko" Arguello.
All music and art used in worship by the members here is composed by their founder, Kiko, as is much or most of the
liturgical furnishings. Read more about that at http://thoughtfulcatholic.com/?page_id=824.
*Neocatechumenal teaching is found in a 13-volume "Catechetical Director," but these documents have not been made
public and are quite difficult to find. Most members of the Way have never seen them.
*Some two years after joining the movement, members that aspire to move into a higher stage subject themselves to a
"Scrutiny," where they are compelled to share their deepest crosses/secrets/sins publicly with their community. I
highlight the dangers online at http://thoughtfulcatholic.com/?page_id=895. Some two years after that, members
undergo another "Scrutiny," where they are subjected to a panel that goes over all their faults and sins. They are then
compelled to do a "concrete act" to show their devotion to Christ, an act that involves giving away expensive jewelry,
land, cars and other property.
Archbishop Anthony Apuron has mandated that every man seeking ordination in Guam must "walk for a time in the
Way." He has made a few concessions to this mandate, but not without much struggle on the part of the men seeking
them.
Local priests complain of favoritism on the part of the archbishop. Neocatechumenal priests and seminarians are
treated much more favorably, it is said. When one priest, Father Paul Gofigan, consistently refused to allow the Way
into his parish without some concessions, he was uncanonically ousted from the leadership of his parish. That case is
on appeal in Rome.
The archbishop himself is "walking in the Way." When one walks in the Way, one places oneself under the authority of
the "catechists" that are assigned to one's Neocatechumenal community. These catechists, despite Neocatechumenal
assertions to the contrary, are members of an international hierarchy that acts independently of the pastors and
bishops.
To many of us, the archbishop seems to be under the control of the Neocatechumenal leadership, and he does not
seem to be acting in the best interests of his diverse flock here. Some time ago -- about two years ago, I believe -- at
the request of Neocatechumenal leadership, the archbishop proposed to convey the seminary property in Yona to a
nonprofit organization controlled by the Way. This property is conservatively estimated to be worth $35 million.
When his finance council and legal counsel objected, he fired the finance council members who objected and appointed
new members who would agree. It is unknown if the archbishop has done anything since then to convey or cloud the
title to this property.
There have been many occasions where the seminarians and priests from other countries, as well as at least one
seminary professor, have exhibited an arrogance toward the indigenous culture of Guam, in particular, ridiculing the
local practice of praying for the dead and mischaracterizing local beliefs about that prayer. An example of this can be
found online at http://thoughtfulcatholic.com/?page_id=7587.
I have tried to lay out some of these problems in my blog, The Thoughtful Catholic, and I have gathered the links to
these particular posts into one page at http://thoughtfulcatholic.com/?page_id=766.
Charles White is a resident of Tamuning.
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*Only submissions that include name, address, village of residence and day and evening phone numbers, and that are
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the letter writer.
*Letters must be previously unpublished, including on the Internet.
*Letters to the editor of 300 or fewer words have the best chance of being published. Opinion and editorial columns of
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*All submissions may be edited for length, accuracy and clarity, and may be published or distributed in print, electronic
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*Send letters by email to voice@guampdn.com; fax to 477-3079; or mail to Voice of the People, Box DN, Hagatna,
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*Opinions expressed by letter writers and columnists are their own and do not necessarily reflect those of the Pacific
Daily News.
*For more information, call Duane M. George at 479-0415.
ID_Code: M0-308040012

Most members of the Way have never seen them. *Some two years after joining the movement, members that aspire to
move into a higher stage subject themselves to a "Scrutiny," where they are compelled to share their deepest
crosses/secrets/sins publicly with their community. Some time ago -- about two years ago, I believe -- at the request of
Neocatechumenal leadership, the archbishop proposed to convey the seminary property in Yona to a nonprofit
organization controlled by the Way.
Museum announces indefinite closure

Subjects: Museums
Author:
Aoki, Dance
Date:
Aug 4, 2014
Start Page: n/a
Section:
Local News
Document Text
The National Museum of the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica hadn't officially opened to the public, but the
church yesterday announced its indefinite closure due to changes in administration.
Archbishop Anthony Apuron last week removed Monsignor James Benavente as rector of the cathedral, a post he held
for nearly 20 years.
Benavente led the charge to open the museum, according to Pacific Daily News files.
On Thursday, Apuron publicly stated that when Benavente was in charge of the Cathedral-Basilica and Catholic
Cemeteries of Guam, millions of dollars in church debts had been reduced "only marginally."
A $1.12 million loan to develop the museum was a portion of that debt, but the amount has been paid down by 32
percent since the loan was taken out in 2006.
The museum held a preview of the displays for a few hours yesterday before closing indefinitely at 1:30 p.m.
'Wiped away'
Marie Wusstig, a resident of Barrigada, said she'd only heard about the closure because it was announced during
Mass. She promptly called relatives, and posted about it on Facebook, because she didn't know when there would be
another chance to see the exhibition.
"It's such a beautiful, well-put-together display," she said. "This is our history and it almost feels like it's being wiped
away."
A weekly church bulletin advised parishioners of yesterday's limited preview of the museum and stated that changes in
administration were the reason for the indefinite closure.
Wusstig said it made her very sad to know that most of Guam's families wouldn't have the opportunity to see the
exhibition.
A timeline of the Catholic Church's history on Guam was one of the first exhibits, providing a historical record of Guam's
ties to the church going back to the arrival of Ferdinand Magellan.
Under glass, the museum displayed the cassock of Blessed Diego Luis de San Vitores and the sword that killed him.
The museum in March held a preview of the artifacts during a wine-tasting fundraiser to boost funds for operating costs
in advance of a grand opening for the public.
The date of the museum's grand opening hadn't been released.
ID_Code: M0-308040005

The museum in March held a preview of the artifacts during a wine-tasting fundraiser to boost funds for operating costs
in advance of a grand opening for the public.
Church
museum
closure
just
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MONDAY, 04 AUG 2014 03:00AM
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THE National Museum in the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-

Basilica in Hagta will be indefinitely closed due to a change in
administration, the latest move related to Archbishop Anthony
Apurons controversial removal of Monsignor James Benavente
as rector.
This is one of the projects that Monsignor James headed up and
this was his vision to make sure we had something special and
really beautiful for all of us, said Vangie Lujan, a National
Museum staff volunteer.
More than 400 people visited the cathedral-basilica yesterday
between 6:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. to view more than 1,000
artifacts showcased in the museum. James Santos, who worked
with Lujan and Benavente to help set up the museum, said some
pieces in the museum date as far back as the 1500s.
From left, John Martinez, Joshua

Paulino and Jonah Paulino look at
illustrations during their visit to
the National Museum at the Dulce
Nombre de Maria Cathedral-
Basilica in Hagta after Mass
yesterday afternoon. Photo by
Printed bulletins and verbal announcements about the museums

closure circulated through the local Catholic community
yesterday but it is unclear who decided to close the exhibit. Prior
to yesterdays opening, the museum had only opened once in March for a fundraiser, Lujan
said. I dont know who decided, but certainly, were walking away from it right now, she said.
New rector, Monsignor David Quitugua, and the archdioceses spokesman, Rev. Adrian
Cristobal, did not return messages from the Variety yesterday about the National Museum.
For me, its like collateral damage of all the stuff thats been happening. The people who are
instructed to direct us, lead us, to do any of that, which would be Monsignor David Quitugua and
the archbishop ... they havent given us directions, Lujan said.
She also said the new rector and the archbishop did not visit the museum yesterday.
With the removal of Monsignor Benavente also came the termination of the Archdiocesan
Development Group, an umbrella organization Benavente headed, under which were the
cathedral-basilica gift shop and museum.
Lujan said with the lack of communication, volunteers like herself and Santos have no choice
but to walk away from the museum, which had been in the works for months now. While the
church owns some artifacts on display, many others came from local residents.
Families who submitted items to the museum for display have asked that the items be returned.
Lujan said residents will be able to come by the museum to collect their artifacts.
E.J. Calvo De Oro Lee said it was her first time at the museum and she was informed by her
cousin that the museum would be dismantled. The late Monsignor Oscar Calvo, whose photos
and personal possessions are on display at the museum, is Lees mothers oldest brother. She
and her family took photos of the display and made arrangements with Lujan to collect the items
the Calvo family donated.
Mary and Willy Williams, parishioners from Piti, were also first-time visitors to the museum. The
couple found out about the showing on Facebook and decided to visit while it was still open to
the public.
Not so many churches have collected all these things, said visitor Annie Perez. This is
something that I think we should all be proud as Catholics that we have some kind of collection.
Plaques, instruments, illustrations and other artifacts from the Catholic Churchs history on
Guam filled display cases or museum walls and floors in the 6,000-square-foot space, adjacent
to the cathedral-basilica. In addition to the museum upstairs, plans for a media room and
workshop area downstairs may never be realized, Lujan said.
People are asking me whats the future of this place and no one has even engaged us in a
discussion, Lujan said. And leadership requires communication. If you cannot communicate
with the people that are helping you especially volunteers I think its a statement of what
they think of this project.
Apuron removed Benavente as the cathedral-basilica rector effective July 25, a week after the
celebration of his 20th anniversary as a priest. Apuron released a statement last week that said
a financial review of two entities showed poor financial accounting and prompted him to make a
change in administration. The two entities he pointed out in his statement were under the
direction of Benavente, specifically the Catholic Cemeteries of Guam and Archdiocesan
Development Group.
Benavente issued a statement denying the allegations. Despite my repeated pleas to be
presented with the written allegations of financial mismanagement and the opportunity to
respond, the decision was made to go to the media and public first, he said. I am confident
that this entire situation could have been resolved amicably in order to spare our community the
hurt and division that exists today; however, the lesser road was chosen.
Observers of the church on Guam have said Benaventes removal is part of an internal struggle
between the local leadership of the Neocatechumenal Way, of which Apuron is a member, and
archdiocesan clergy, including Benavente, who are not neocatechumenals.

Sect 'cannot possess the seminary': Priest explains about Neocatechumenal Way
Subjects: Hotels & motels; Legal counsel; Catholic churches; Transfer of title
Author:
Date:
Aug 3, 2014
Start Page: n/a
Section:
Local News
Document Text
An attempt to transfer the title of one of the Guam Catholic Church's largest real estate assets, the former Accion Hotel
in Yona, has become a focal point in recent discussions about the local church's financial transparency and leadership
shakeup.
The controversy started weeks ago when an anonymous group of Guam Catholics issued a public challenge for
Archbishop Anthony Apuron to release audited statements of the Church's income, liabilities and assets, particularly the
state of ownership of the former Accion Hotel.
The 100-room, oceanside hotel was bought more than a decade ago for $2 million, and could be worth $35 million to
$75 million depending on estimates. It now is being used to host the Redemptoris Mater Seminary and a theological
institute.
Monsignor James Benavente, who was recently fired from being the rector of the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-
Basilica, was one of several directors on the Archdiocesan Finance Council who were fired in 2012 after they voted
against the proposed transfer of title to the property, documents state. Archbishop Anthony Apuron had written a letter
to the council advocating the title change, documents state.
Businessman Richard Untalan, Sister Mary Stephen Torres and former government of Guam budget official Joe Rivera
were the finance council officials who were fired.
The finance council members voted against the title transfer after a legal counsel for the archdiocese at the time
cautioned that such action "would place a huge cloud on the title."
"Do you really want to risk title to the property conservatively valued at $75 million," the legal counsel wrote to the
finance council members at the time.
A November 2011 joint letter from the fired finance council members makes reference to the legal counsel's concerns in
expressing to the archbishop their sentiment.
Had the transfer of title occurred, the property would be in the name of the seminary, which is being run by
representatives of the Neocatechumenal Way.
Apuron critic and Jungle Watch blogger Tim Rohr recently stated that the Neocatechumenal Way "pulled (the
archbishop's) strings for nearly two decades."
Charles White, a Guam resident who also writes a blog, called the Thoughtful Catholic, said the recent controversies in
the local Catholic Church can be linked to the Neocatechumenal Way.
"There is a bigger issue at play here: The imposition of the Neocatechumenal Way upon the Catholic Church in Guam,"
White said.
Father Pius Sammut, of the Neocatechumenal Way, in a response to questions from the Pacific Daily News, said even
with a title transfer, the archbishop would still have all the power over the property.
To those who say the Neocatechumenal Way controls the archbishop, Pius said: "these comments demean the
archbishop as if he does not have a mind of his own."
QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
Here are excerpts of the answers from Father Pius Sammut.
Question: What is your response to those who say that the Neocatechumenal Way controls/has a major influence on
Archbishop Anthony Apuron?
Answer: Sincerely, I believe that these comments demean the archbishop as if he does not have a mind of his own. I
am confident that the archbishop takes his own decisions and he does it after long moments of prayer and consultation
with his various organizations. ... I think that he did not sell the seminary building, not due to any external influence, but
due to the simple fact that a seminary and a theological institute are an immense spiritual wealth for the Archdiocese
and Canon Law (the Law of the Church) enjoins all bishops to open a seminary to form priests ...
Q: There are some people in the Guam Catholic community who believe that there's a rift between those who are and
aren't part of the Neocatechumenal Way, and examples of this divide include the recent removal of Monsignor James
Benavente and Father Paul Gofigan. What are your thoughts on this?
A: The removal of Father Gofigan and Monsignor Benavente have nothing to do with the Neocatechumenal Way. In the
first case the motivation, as far as I know, was that he was harboring a convicted sex offender. Father Gofigan, I
believe, made an appeal to Rome and we have to wait for their decision.
In the case of Monsignor Benavente, I believe, it was a matter of putting in order a situation of improper accounting as
the recent documents released by the archdiocese show.
To attribute these decisions to the Neocatechumenal Way seems to me that it is an effort to try to find a scapegoat and
not deal with the reality of the problems; to second guess the decisions of the archbishop is not the way to answer to
these problems, which seem serious and in need of an answer, especially by the authority who has the responsibility of
the archdiocese.
Going back to the "rift," we need to keep in mind that many of the people in the communities are people who were not
going to church, or who were in crisis and youth: these people are coming back to the church. I like the image of Pope
Francis where he compares the church to a field hospital: In a hospital there are many units, but there must be a ward
also for those who are very seriously wounded or need an emergency room.
If you do not mind me saying this, recent discussions regarding the Neocatechumenal Way smells of racism,
xenophobia and hatred of non-islanders as if they should not be here: curiously enough, those most vocal in this
"debate" are people not born in the island. Catholic means universal and I believe that this petty parochialism is not the
spirit of Guamanian Catholics.
Q: Did the Neocatechumenal Way attempt to influence the transfer of title to the former Accion Hotel property in Yona
from the Archdiocese of Guam to an entity whose officers are members of the Neocatechumenal Way?
A: Actually it is the other way around. The purchase of the Accion Hotel was proposed by the Neocatechumenal Way to
the archbishop, because in order to start the seminary and an institute, there was a need for rooms for 30 to 40
seminarians, 10 faculty professors, four classrooms, a library for 20,000 volumes, a chapel. The money for the
purchase of the hotel was donated to the archdiocese by an off-island benefactor who offered it with the explicit
intention of erecting the seminary and the theological institute. The previous owner of the hotel sold it for just $1.9
million with the proviso that the building be used as an educational facility. Actually, the archdiocese did not put down a
penny.
Regarding the transfer of the title, the legal adviser of the archdiocese, five years ago, asked that the title be transferred
to the Redemptoris Mater Corp. to respect the intention of the donor and to safeguard the property. This corporation is a
'corporation sole' where there is only one member, namely the archbishop, who has all power. He is assisted by a
board of directors who (oversees) the daily administration. The only member, namely the archbishop, chooses all
directors. Then there is a board of guarantors that guarantees that the corporation follows the original purpose for which
it was created. The Archbishop chooses, confirms, or dismisses freely these guarantors.
So the Neocatechumenal Way does not and cannot -- by reason of its statutes -- possess the seminary but simply
ensures the formation. ... The whole discussion on the property of the Accion Hotel began two to three years ago
because certain individuals wanted to sell the building to pay their debts. Actually the archdiocese is only supporting 3
or 4 percent of the seminary's budget, while the rest is supported by Catholics from all over the world including different
foundations and Propaganda Fide.
Q: To the lay people's understanding, what is the Neocatechumenal Way, and how does its practices differ from
Catholic traditions on Guam?
A: The Neocatechumenal Way has been recognized by Pope Paul VI, Saint John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Pope
Francis as a "gift of the Holy Spirit " for the Church. Saint John Paul defined the Neocatechumenal Way as an "itinerary
of Catholic formation valid for our times and our society." The Neocatechumenal Way is an instrument to reach out
especially to the people who have left the church and the youth.
The Holy See has allowed a few concessions in the liturgical celebrations to help especially those who are returning to
religious practice after years of being away so that they can participate more actively to the sacraments.
Q: What message would you like to send to Guam as a community of diverse faiths?
A: I think that this campaign of disinformation is detrimental to everybody. Hate speech is always bad and does not
help. The fact that in Guam has arisen a seminary, which is helping the formation of priests for Guam and for the entire
Pacific, is a sign of the importance of this island in the plan of God.
Father Manuel Solorzano, a Jesuit priest who was killed in 1684 in Hagatna while preaching the Gospel, wrote to his
father who tried to convince him to abandon the mission, "cielo son las ariana," or "paradise are the Marianas." By this
he meant that giving his life to announce the Gospel and being killed for it, was his paradise.
We all need to go back to this spirituality: to save one soul is worth my life. We should help each other in this because
our youth and the families are all suffering today.
AT A GLANCE
About the Neocatechumenal Way:
* Began in Spain in the early 1960s by Kiko Arguello and Carmen Hernandez, and was endorsed by the then
Archbishop of Madrid, Casimiro Morcillo.
* Offers a way of rediscovering the sacrament of baptism and continuing education in faith; also an instrument of
Christian initiation for adults preparing to receive baptism.
* In 2008, the Catholic Church approved statutes that define the nature of the Neocatechumenal Way and its
implementation.
* The International Responsible Team of the Way is charged with implementing what is outlined in the statutes. The
team has three people, including Arguello and Hernandez.
Vatican.va and Neocatechumenal Way statutes
ID_Code: M0-308030001

An attempt to transfer the title of one of the Guam Catholic Church's largest real estate assets, the former Accion Hotel
in Yona, has become a focal point in recent discussions about the local church's financial transparency and leadership
shakeup.
Letter states problems predated Benavente

Subjects: Funeral homes; Financial statements; Cemeteries; Tombs; Accountability
Author:
Date:
Aug 2, 2014
Start Page: n/a
Section:
Local News
Document Text
Some of the problems that Archbishop Anthony Apuron cited as the reasons why he fired Monsignor James Benavente
from key roles existed before Benavente's watch, a document shows.
The document -- a February letter from a former Bureau of Budget and Management Research director -- also shows
that Benavente had started fixing the financial recordkeeping and other accountability problems at the Catholic
Cemeteries of Guam last year -- months before Apuron's public statement on Thursday.
A week ago, Apuron fired Benavente from director of Catholic Cemeteries and from the Dulce Nombre de Maria
Cathedral-Basilica, where he was the rector for nearly 20 years.
The monsignor, in his first public response to his ouster, issued a written statement yesterday.
"Despite my repeated pleas to be presented with the written allegations of financial mismanagement and the
opportunity to respond, the decision was made to go to the media and public first," Benavente stated.
"I am confident that this entire situation could have been resolved amicably in order to spare our community the hurt
and division that exists today; however, the lesser road was chosen," Benavente said.
"I ask for your continued prayers for our Church as I work to resolve these matters through deep prayer and dialogue in
order that truth and justice prevail for the good of all," Benavente added.
Apuron on Thursday issued a statement to the media that "the Catholic Cemeteries of Guam Inc. had incorrectly
included in its assets land which was not in its own name -- thus overstating its assets, and using this property to secure
a loan."
However, a Feb. 7 letter to the archbishop, which also was submitted to the Archdiocesan Finance Council, indicates
that the problem Apuron mentioned Thursday had been cleared up months earlier. The title of the land at issue was in
the name of the Archdiocese of Agana, rather than Catholic Cemeteries Inc., which is an entity under the archdiocese.
"We were aware that prior to Monsignor Benavente taking over, there were virtually no reliable records concerning
assets and this led to the confusion and errors regarding exactly what was owned by the Catholic Cemeteries and what
was owned by the Archdiocese," states the February letter from Joseph Rivera, a former Bureau of Budget and
Management Research director.
Rivera released the letter yesterday because he said he was surprised by the archbishop's public statements.
Last year, Rivera initiated a process to improve the Catholic Cemeteries' financial recordkeeping and accountability.
It was at Benavente's request last year that he assembled "a small team of seasoned and trusted accountants to begin
this undertaking," Benavente wrote.
"It is important to note that there were a multitude of problems that already existed at the Catholic Cemeteries prior to
Monsignor Benavente assuming control," Rivera wrote.
"Back then, the cemetery operation was hemorrhaging money and the sites were neglected, undeveloped and very
poorly maintained," Rivera stated.
Apuron also on Thursday released a letter from accounting firm Deloitte Touche, dated weeks before Rivera's letter on
Jan. 8, 2014.
In the letter, Deloitte & Touche LLP stated that "originally, it appears that construction costs related to the cemeteries
were duplicated in the initial financial statements." The construction costs were included in the inventory category and
also in the building category, but the total overstatement had been removed, Deloitte & Touche stated in January.
Rivera wrote to the archbishop in February that before Benavente's time, the recording of financial transactions "were
being done haphazardly -- at best -- and financial statements were virtually nonexistent ," Rivera stated.
"While the financial statements may not yet be in the pristine condition that Monsignor Benavente may have desired,
they are light years ahead of the records the Catholic Cemeteries had prior to his taking charge," Rivera wrote.
Benavente and the Catholic Cemeteries staff "have done a remarkable job of turning what was once an embarrassing
and unprofitable venture into one of the proud showcases for the Archdiocese of Agana," Rivera stated.
Because of improvements under Benavente, Pigo Cemetery has transformed from being rundown to "beautiful," Rivera
stated. Improvements at Agat and Togcha cemeteries are visibly evident, Rivera stated.
On Thursday, Apuron also publicly stated that when Benavente was in charge of the Cathedral-Basilica and Catholic
cCmeteries, $7 million worth of church debts have been reduced "only marginally."
Businessman Richard Untalan, former president of the Archdiocesan Finance Council, has said Benavente was just a
small part of an extensive review before any church loan was taken out. The archbishop is the main signatory and
church loans worth more than $1 million goes to the Vatican for approval.
Untalan said the loans were used for extensive church cemetery renovation and construction projects.
Untalan also provided the following figures showing the loans have been significantly paid down and aren't in default.
* On the massive restoration of the Cathedral-Basilica in 1998, the total cost was $6.8 million. Of that, $3.25 million was
borrowed funds. The balance of $3.55 million was in donations and grants. Of the original loan, the balance today is
$1.7 million.
* The original loan amount for construction of the St. Therese Chapel in 2006 was $1.12 million. Today, it stands at
$879,000.
* The original loan amount of the museum of the Cathedral-Basilica in 2006 was $1.12 million. Today, it stands at
$758,000.
ID_Code: M0-308020001

Benavente and the Catholic Cemeteries staff "have done a remarkable job of turning what was once an embarrassing
and unprofitable venture into one of the proud showcases for the Archdiocese of Agana," Rivera stated. Because of
improvements under Benavente, Pigo Cemetery has transformed from being rundown to "beautiful," Rivera stated.
Finance
council
axed
years
ago
for
questioning
Apuron
SATURDAY, 02 AUG 2014 03:00AM
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ARCHBISHOP Anthony Apurons decision to remove Monsignor

James Benavente as rector last month was not the first time
Apuron abruptly removed the priest in connection with financial
matters of the church, documents suggest.
Benavente is one of three who served on the Archdiocesan
Finance Council for the Archdiocese of Agana prior to 2012. The
four former AFC members were terminated abruptly after they
disagreed with Apurons proposal to transfer church property in
2012, according to their letter to the archbishop.
The Variety obtained copies of exchanges between Apuron and
former AFC members from 2011 and 2012. The exchanges stem
from the proposed transfer of the title of the real property in Yona,
which is the location of Redemptoris Mater Seminary.
In 2012, Richard Untalan one of the AFC members terminated by
Apruon, brought up his concerns to then-Apostolic Delegate of
the Pacific, Archbishop Charles Balvo.
Supporters of Monsignor James

Benavente gathered at the Dulce
Nombre de Maria Cathedral-
Basilica on July 29 to pray for the
former church rector. Variety file
photo
Audit
A few months after Untalan sent his letter to Balvo, church officials in Rome demanded an audit
of the Agana Archdioceses finances, according to Tim Rohr, a catholic blogger who follows
local church matters. It is this scrutiny over church property in Yona, going back as far back as
three years ago, which may have been the catalyst leading to a call for an audit of the Agana
archdioceses finances, Rohr said.
However, an audit of the churchs finances at the present moment is impossible, Apuron said
in a statement this week.
AFC termination
Former AFC members Benavente, Untalan, Joseph Rivera and Sister Mary Stephen Torres
replied to the archbishop on Jan. 16, 2012 after receiving letters of termination on Jan. 11 the
same year. The letter said they believe their termination was not due to the expiration of their
fixed term that Apuron alluded to.
Apurons termination letter said the members term of appointment had expired and that it is
time for me to engage new members in the council. Apurons letter cited the five-year fixed
term that each member is allotted.

However, one member, Sister Mary Stephen Torres, was one of the founding members of the
AFC over 26 years ago, and all other members served over five years prior to their termination.
In a letter to Balvo, Untalan explained that the former members then agreed that their expired
terms could not be the reason for their termination. Instead they concluded that their unanimous
decision to deny the transfer, conveyance or assignment of the title of Yoa property to the
Redemptoris Mater Seminary led Apuron to terminate them from the council.
There was no transition to break in the new members and no continuity with the past. It was
quick, unexpected, sharp, abrupt and startling, Untalan wrote.
The property in question is currently under the name of the Guam archbishop and will be under
the name of Apurons successors.
By conveying the title to a separate juridic person, it not only ties the hands of a succeeding
bishop, but runs the greater risk that the group running the seminary will lay claim to the
property as theirs and for their perpetual use, Untalan wrote in his letter to Balvo.
Strongly endorsed
Further, the AFCs denial to transfer the title of the Yoa property was strongly endorsed by
the Archdiocesan legal counsel, Untalan wrote.
Rohr said the property, valued by the legal counsel at $35 million, is an asset to the church that
Apuron is willing to give away. You know, our schools are so in debt, they have to do
carwashes and stuff, and the archbishop is going to give away a $35 million asset, he said.
Rohr also said the assignment of the Yoa property title would also have to be approved by
Rome, so Apurons decision to do so without upper-level church officials approval is against
Canonical law. He doesnt have the authority to do that. Even Rome would have to approve
that kind of transaction, he said.
Ties to Neo Catechumenate Way
In his 2012 letter to Balvo, Untalan also wrote that the removal of four out of five members of
the AFC left the church without a viable council between the time they were terminated and
before new members were chosen to fill the positions.
Untalan wrote that two of the three new members were members of the Neo Catechumenate
Way, which Untalan is also a member of. Apuron is an active member of the Neo group as well,
Untalan pointed out.
For many, it appears that the decisions and policies of both the Archbishop and the Vicar
General have been slanted or prejudice by their active involvement in the Neo, Untalan wrote.
An involvement that has, in my observation, deeply divided the Church in Guam.
Deloitte & Touche has not confirmed if an audit of the archdiocese has been completed in the
past. Calls to the archdioceses spokesman, Rev. Adrian Cristobal, have not been returned.
Monsignor: 'Spare our community the hurt'

Subjects: Cemeteries
Author:
Date:
Aug 1, 2014
Start Page: n/a
Section:
Local News
Document Text
Monsignor James Benavente issued a statement just moments ago that despite Archbishop Anthony Apuron's public
statements over the past few days about alleged financial mismanagement under Benavente's watch, Benavente hasn't
been presented with the written allegations.
Here's the monsignor's full statement:
"I want to thank the people of God in the Archdiocese of Agana for their support and prayers during this time.
Despite my repeated pleas to be presented with the written allegations of financial
mismanagement and the opportunity to respond, the decision was made to go to the media and public first.
I am confident that this entire situation could have been resolved amicably in order to spare our community the hurt and
division that exists today; however, the lesser road was chosen.
I ask for your continued prayers for our Church as I work to resolve these matters through deep prayer and dialogue in
order that truth and justice prevail for the good of all."
Meanwhile, a document shows some of the problems that the archbishop publicly cited as the reasons why he fired
Benavente from key roles in the Catholic church existed before Benavente was in charge.
The document also shows that Benavente had started fixing the financial record-keeping and other accountability
problems at the Catholic Cemeteries of Guam last year -- months before Apuron's public statement on Thursday.
A week ago, Apuron fired Benavente from being director of the Catholic Cemeteries and from the Dolce Nombre de
Maria Cathedral-Basilica, where he was the rector for nearly 20 years.
ID_Code: M0-140801006

The document also shows that Benavente had started fixing the financial record-keeping and other accountability
problems at the Catholic Cemeteries of Guam last year -- months before Apuron's public statement on Thursday.
Church problems detailed:

Subjects: Construction; Cemeteries; Catholic churches
Author:
Date:
Aug 1, 2014
Start Page: A.1
Section:
Local News
Document Text
The previous management of Guam's Catholic cemeteries overstated its assets and used land that wasn't under its
name to secure a loan, Archbishop Anthony Apuron announced yesterday.
The archbishop issued a public statement to further explain his reason for firing Monsignor James Benavente, who was
the director of Catholic Cemeteries of Guam Inc.
Apuron also removed Benavente as rector of the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica -- a post he held for nearly
20 years.
Benavente this week declined to comment on the issue, but he participated in a Tuesday prayer, organized by those
who do not support the archbishop's actions.
Richard Untalan, a former finance official for the island's Catholic Church, this week questioned the decision to blame
Benavente, saying Apuron also played a role in the financial decisions.
Untalan, former president of the Archdiocesan Finance Council, said a $7 million debt cited by Apuron is related to
money that was borrowed by the church for renovation and construction.
The archbishop approves every loan that the archdiocese undertakes, Untalan said.
If Apuron were to follow the "buck-stops-here" rule, then he himself should be fired, Untalan said.
"As far as I know, I do not believe it's a financial issue," Untalan said of Apuron's decision to remove Benavente.
A Vatican representative must approve and sign a church loan worth more than $1 million, Untalan said. That's in
addition to several layers of local review, including the archbishop, Untalan said.
"Singling out Monsignor Benavente is difficult to accept when the archbishop himself approved such loan," Untalan
said.
Untalan said the borrowed $7 million was used for: the extensive renovation of the Cathedral-Basilica, including a new
museum; the construction of the St. Therese chapel; and extensive renovations to the Pigo Cemetery.
"Moreover, what is the problem?" Untalan said. "The loans are current and are not in default ... None of our Catholic
schools and churches would have been built without debt."
In his statement yesterday, the archbishop released part of a financial review report by Deloitte & Touche LLP from
early this year, related to the finances of the cemeteries.
Apuron also said the archdiocese "will release shortly" the full financial reports and financial reviews for all diocesan
entities.
A group of concerned Catholics has asked the archdiocese to release audited financial statements each year, as other
Catholic churches in the nation have done.
Catholic cemeteries' construction costs were duplicated, cemetery assets were overstated by $3.8 million, and
construction contracts were missing, Apuron stated yesterday.
"Given the gravity of the situation, I was compelled to take urgent measures changing administration in order to end this
state of affairs which is detrimental to the archdiocese canonically and financially in the entities involved," Apuron
stated. "This decision, contrary to speculations, deals only with the matter of good administration and my canonical
responsibility with the management of archdiocesan temporal goods."
Apuron said accounting practices under Benavente were "not in conformance with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America because there is no way to distinguish between what has been paid and what
is due, and between principal and interest."

Untalan said he and other members of the Archdiocesan Council -- Sister Mary Stephen Torres, Joseph Rivera and
Monsignor James Benavente -- were fired "en masse" about two years ago after they voted against the proposed
transfer of the title to one of the Guam Catholic Church's largest real estate assets -- the former Accion Hotel. The
former hotel is estimated to be worth about $35 million.
The oceanfront property hosts the Redemptoris Mater Seminary, and the finance council officials who opposed
transferring the property's title from the archdiocese to the seminary were fired, Untalan said.
Initially, the archbishop also opposed the transfer of the property, Untalan said.
"What made him change his mind? God only knows," Untalan said.
Letters to the Vatican
Some of the island's Catholics who support Benavente have started a letter-writing campaign to call on the Vatican to
investigate Benavente's removal and other controversies involving the local Catholic Church leadership.
Island Catholics are urged to write to the Vatican's delegate for Guam and the Oceania, Archbishop Martin Krebs,
nuntius@ihug.co.nz; and Cardinal Fernando Filoni, prefect of the Congregration for the Evangelization of Peoples in the
Vatican, segreteria@propagandafide.va, organizers stated.
Untalan said he still hopes and prays "that the Church of Guam would have the courage, fortitude, and prayerful frame
of mind to fix its own problems, and not have to rely on Rome to intervene."
"It takes a top-down dialogue to build bridges, an open heart and mind to resolve issues and problems, with the intent
that we should all live in harmony and unity as Jesus would want us to do," Untalan said.
ID_Code: M0-308010003

Untalan said the borrowed $7 million was used for: the extensive renovation of the Cathedral-Basilica, including a new
museum; the construction of the St. Therese chapel; and extensive renovations to the Pigo Cemetery. [...]what is the
problem?" Untalan said.
Why 'Straw Man Fallacy' was used

Author:
Rohr, Tim
Date:
Jul 31, 2014
Start Page: A.21
Section:
Opinion
Document Text
It appears that Father John Wadeson, in his letter to the editor of July 25, has defaulted to what logicians call "The
Straw Man Fallacy." This fallacy can be demonstrated thus: Person A has position X. Person B presents position Y (a
distortion of X). Person B attacks position Y. Therefore X is wrong and A is the problem.
I am Person A. X, my position, is as follows:
*Wadeson's name appears on a list of clergy who are accused of molesting minors in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles.
*If those charges are false, he and Archbishop Apuron -- who took him into this diocese -- should have said so when the
list was first made public.
*Having failed that, both Wadeson and Apuron should clear the record now.
Wadeson is Person B. His position, Y, is that I, or more specifically my blog, is the source of the accusation of said
incidents of child molestation. Therefore, Wadeson, attacks Y (which is actually me) instead of addressing X.
The facts are otherwise. The "accusation" was in a statement by the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, or
SNAP. SNAP's statement was carried by all of Guam's major media outlets, as well as my little blog.
There are many reasons Wadeson would default to a straw man fallacy rather than confront facts. Let's review a few:
*The list became public in 2004, several years after Wadeson was accepted into this archdiocese by Archbishop
Apuron, and neither he nor Apuron attempted to clear the record from the outset as they should have.
*In the ensuing 10 years, neither Wadeson nor Apuron addressed the issue of Wadeson's record to the people of this
archdiocese.
*Archbishop Apuron and Wadeson are members of the Neocatechumenal Way. And it appears Apuron incardinated
Wadeson lickety-split while refusing to incardinate priests from the Philippines who had served Guam's Catholics for
decades but who objected to serving in the "Way."
*When the story broke, Wadeson had several opportunities to speak to the media and refute the charges. Instead he
chose to hide and then "leave the country" (as he put it).
*Archbishop Apuron, instead of standing up for the priest he incardinated, despite his record, opted to throw Wadeson
under the bus, removing him from "active ministry" -- an action which increased the air of suspicion about them both.
But perhaps the biggest reason to default to the straw man fallacy is to discredit me. And here's why. Over the last year
I have:
*Exposed Archbishop Apuron's unjust treatment of Father Paul Gofigan.
*Exposed Archbishop Apuron's slander of Father Gofigan and a parishioner.
*Exposed Archbishop Apuron's attempt to hand over title to a major archdiocesan asset to the Neocatechumenal Way.
*Exposed Archbishop Apuron's illegitimate termination en masse of the members of the finance council who opposed
his decision to give away said asset.
*Exposed Archbishop Apuron's coercion of young men who desire to be priests to enter the Neocatechumenal Way.
*Exposed Archbishop Apuron's misleading one priestly aspirant as to why he could not be sent to an off-island
seminary.
*Exposed the deep and hurtful divisions that non-Neocatechumenal priests are in fear of speaking of.
The end of Apuron's reign means the end of the reign of the Neocatechumenal masters who have:
*pulled his strings for nearly two decades,

*bullied parishioners,
*insulted local culture and traditions,
*provided safe haven for un-vetted foreign priests and seminarians while persecuting our own,
*and helped themselves to the free flow of unaccounted-for money.
So of course they need a straw man. But in this case, X really does mark the spot. And it's not going away.
Tim Rohr is a resident of Agat.
ID_Code: M0-307310012

Wadeson is Person B. His position, Y, is that I, or more specifically my blog, is the source of the accusation of said
incidents of child molestation. [...]Wadeson, attacks Y (which is actually me) instead of addressing X. The facts are
otherwise.
Archbishop releases more reasons why he fired monsignor

Subjects: Funeral homes; Cemeteries; Financial management
Author:
Date:
Jul 31, 2014
Start Page: n/a
Section:
Local News
Document Text
The previous management of Guam's Catholic cemeteries overstated its assets and used land that wasn't under its
name to secure a loan, Archbishop Anthony Apuron announced today.
The archbishop issued the public statement to further explain his reason for firing Monsignor James Benavente, who
was the Catholic Cemeteries of Guam Inc. director.
Apuron also removed Benavente from his post of nearly 20 years as rector of Dolce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-
Basilica, not long after Benavente's 20-year anniversary in the priesthood was attended by Manila Cardinal Luis Tagle,
one of the top contenders during last year's search for pope.
Catholic cemeteries' construction costs were duplicated, cemetery assets were overstated by $3.8 million, and
construction contracts were missing, Apuron stated yesterday.
Benavente declined to comment when the Pacific Daily News asked him on Tuesday.
That was the day Apuron first said that poor financial management led to Benavente's removal from the Cathedral-
Basilica's leadership.
A former finance council official for the local Catholic church disputed that poor financial management caused
Benavente's removal from his two key roles in the local Catholic church.
"As far as I know, I do not believe it's a financial issue," said Richard Untalan, former president of the Archdiocesan
Finance Council.
A few hundred people held a prayer protest on Tuesday in support of Benavente, whom they call "the people's priest."
Apuron stated that the Cathedral-Basilica and Catholic Cemeteries of Guam Inc. "have about $7 million of
indebtedness, which has been reduced only marginally, and which accounts for about one quarter of the total
indebtedness of the Archdiocese of Agana."
The archbishop approves every loan that the archdiocese undertakes, Untalan said.
If Apuron were to follow the "buck-stops-here" rule, then he himself should be fired, Untalan said.
Proceeds of the $7 million loan funded: the extensive renovation of the Cathedral-Basilica; the construction of the St.
Therese chapel; the extensive renovations to the Pigo Cemetery; and the addition of a museum to the Cathedral-
Basilica, Untalan said.
The parish finance council, any other parish advisory body, the Archdiocese Finance Council, the archdiocesan finance
officer, the archdiocesan legal counsel, the College of Consulters, in addition to Apuron, are part of the extensive review
process, Untalan said. A Vatican representative also must approve and sign a church loan worth more than $1 million,
Untalan said.
"Singling out Monsignor Benavente is difficult to accept when the archbishop himself approved such loan," Untalan
said.
ID_Code: M0-140731004

The parish finance council, any other parish advisory body, the Archdiocese Finance Council, the archdiocesan finance
officer, the archdiocesan legal counsel, the College of Consulters, in addition to Apuron, are part of the extensive review
process, Untalan said.
Hundreds
gather
to
pray
for
Benavente
WEDNESDAY, 30 JUL 2014 03:00AM
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Apuron contends finances show inappropriate accounting

THE threat of rain did not keep the large crowd of Catholics from
convening on the steps of the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-
Basilica yesterday evening for a prayer service held in solidarity
with former church rector, Monsignor James Benavente.
Benaventes removal as rector has left Catholics on Guam bereft,
said Jon Calvo, secretary of the parish council, at the opening of
the service. Make no mistake while we respect the authority of
Archbishop Anthony Apuron by virtue of his position of
leadership, we feel compelled to speak out over this, Calvo said.
Calvo encouraged the crowd to reach out to at least one person
who had not attended yesterdays service. We can amass a
legion of followers of Christ, bridge builders, who are willing to
take up the cause of healing wounds of division and be agents of
peace and change, Calvo said.
Monsignor James Benavente spent

time after the service, speaking
with and embracing the people
who met him on the Cathedral
steps yesterday. Photo by Jasmine
Stole / Variety
He encouraged the group to write to Archbishop Martin Krebs, the apostolic nuncio to Guam
and Oceania with their concerns. Calvo added that the same concerns be voiced to Cardinal
Fernando Filoni, a prefect with the Congregation for the Evangelization Peoples in Rome.
Fellow Catholic priests, politicians and parishioners were among those that gathered on the
Cathedral-Basilica steps and across the street.
Emotions ran high and the crowd erupted in applause as Calvo introduced Benavente as the
peoples priest, while others shed tears when Benavente stepped forward to the podium and
led yesterdays closing prayer.
Bells tolled
The church bells tolled as Benavente bowed his head, with his back to the closed entrance to
the Cathedral-Basilica and began the prayer. His voice rose and quivered as he asked that the
crowd be looked upon with graciousness and when he concluded the blessing, parishioners
released about 20 helium filled blue and white balloons behind him, which were swept away by
the surrounding winds.
Benavente spent time after the service, speaking with and embracing the people that met him
on the Cathedral steps yesterday.
Apuron removed Benavente as the Cathedral-Basilica rector last week in a decree, and has not
assigned Benavente to take on any other role in the church.

A confidential letter published on Tim Rohrs Jungle Watch blog confirmed that Apuron formally
removed Benavente as rector effective July 25. Rohr and a source close to Benavente have
said the monsignors removal is based on financial mismanagement.
Inappropriate accounting
Apuron released a statement hours before the prayer service was to begin yesterday. It said
that inappropriate accounting practices were found as accounting firm Deloitte & Touche
reviewed the churches finances.
According to the statement, the Cathedral-Basilica and the Catholic Cemeteries of Guam have
about $7 million of indebtedness, which accounts for about a quarter of the archdioceses entire
indebtedness.
Deloitte & Touche has determined that the accounting practices, especially of the Catholic
Cemeteries of Guam Inc. are inappropriate, Apuron said in his statement.
The archbishop said that Deloitte & Touche determined an audit is not possible based on the list
of inappropriate accounting. Until appropriate accounting has been re-established in the
Catholic Cemeteries of Guam, then an audit may be possible, Apuron wrote.
Apuron said that based on the findings, he decided a change in administration was necessary
and urgent in order to re-establish proper accounting practices and to complete the financial
review, financial report and the audit.
Apuron also said the presbyteral council, the college of consulters and the archdiocesan finance
council expressed their support after he informed them of the financial situation.
Apuron added that he, along with the archdiocesan finance council, have decided to publish
financial reports and financial reviews on an annual basis.
Benaventes removal comes a week after Apuron removed John Wadeson from active and
public ministry with the Agana Archdiocese, after Wadesons past accusations of molestation
was recently publicized by the Survivor Network of those Abused by Priests.
It also comes a week after the archdiocese celebrated Benaventes 20th anniversary as a
priest.
Church finances in shambles

Subjects: Hotels & motels; Cemeteries; Accounting procedures
Author:
Date:
Jul 30, 2014
Start Page: A.1
Section:
Local News
Document Text
ID_Code: M0-307300001

Apuron released a statement, shortly before a huge crowd of Benavente supporters gathered at the steps of the
Cathedral-Basilica, that he decided "a change in administration" at the Cathedral-Basilica and Catholic Cemeteries of
Guam Inc. is necessary so accounting practices can be re-established and financial audits can be completed.
Prayer service to be held this afternoon

Subjects: Child abuse & neglect; Catholic churches; Sex crimes
Author:
Date:
Jul 29, 2014
Start Page: n/a
Section:
Local News
Document Text
Guam Catholics concerned about recent controversies involving the local church are planning a prayer service
scheduled for this afternoon.
Archbishop Anthony Apuron earlier this month removed a priest because of past allegations for child abuse in the
mainland.
Last weekend, it was announced that Monsignor James Benavente has been removed from his position as rector at the
Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica. Benavente, who recently celebrated 20 years with the church, didn't say
why he was removed.
Many Guam Catholics also have publicly called on the Archdiocese of Agana to publish its financial statements online
annually, as other Catholic churches in the country have done.
The prayer service will be held on the steps of the Cathedral-Basilica in Hagatna, with an assembly scheduled for 4:45
p.m. -- rain or shine, invitations circulated in the local Catholic community state.
Father Mike Crisostomo, pastor of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, in Toto, said the prayer service is being
organized by lay parishioners from different Catholic churches on the island.
"Just like what we do during a typhoon, we pray during these turbulent times," Crisostomo said.
"We are meeting at the Cathedral to show ... we are going to stand strong with our faith," Crisostomo said.
And like how Guam has weathered many storms, Crisostomo said, the local church will stay resilient after the clouds
have cleared.
In a statement yesterday, Archbishop Anthony Apuron said he's aware of "a call for people to gather in prayer" at the
Cathedral-Basilica.
"I do not discourage anyone from gathering in prayer. In fact, I encourage them," Apuron said.
"We can never pray enough," the archbishop said. "I encourage all people to gather in peaceful prayer at this gathering
and every opportunity they can."
Removal
The announcement last weekend that Benavente has been removed as rector at the Cathedral-Basilica was the latest
controversy to hit the local church leadership.
According to the Archdiocese newspaper, Benavente was rector of the Cathedral-Basilica for almost as long as he's
been a priest.
The archdiocese hasn't explained why Benavente was stripped of his position. A phone call for comment to the
archdiocese wasn't returned as of press time.
The monsignor is a "big fish" in the local church leadership, Crisostomo said, so the removal of his title as rector was a
surprise. Benavente still remains a monsignor, but it isn't clear what his next role would be, Crisostomo said.
The ousted monsignor is a close friend of Philippine Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, the Guam Catholic newspaper
Umatuna has reported. Tagle, who was one of the top contenders during last year's selection for pope, visited Guam for
Benavente's July 18th celebration.
Molestation allegations
Another local church controversy stemmed from the removal of Father John Howard Wadeson from being a Guam
priest after allegations of child molestation in his past became public. The Los Angeles Archdiocese has banned
Wadeson because of decades-old child molestation allegations that didn't end up in court.
ID_Code: M0-307290005

According to the Archdiocese newspaper, Benavente was rector of the Cathedral-Basilica for almost as long as he's
been a priest.
Wadeson
can
minister
in
San
Francisco
if
Apuron
clears
him
MONDAY, 28 JUL 2014 03:00AM
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Wadeson letter claims innocence

THE San Francisco Archdiocese said Rev. John Wadeson would be allowed to minister in San
Francisco, provided that his home archdiocese, Guam, confirms he is in good standing.
Renee Duffey released a statement on behalf of the Archdiocese of San Francisco last Friday.
On July 22, 2014, Archbishop Cordileone informed Archbishop (Anthony) Apuron that ... Fr.
Wadeson would not be allowed to undertake any ministry in the Archdiocese in San Francisco
unless and until his home archdiocese confirms that he is suitable for ministry, the statement
said.
Cordileone has informed Wadeson of the restriction and Wadeson agreed to observe it,
according to the San Francisco Archdiocese.
Wadeson was removed from active and public ministry in the Archdiocese of Agana last
Tuesday amid growing public concern of past accusations alleging Wadeson molested two
children. According to Bishop Accountability and a 2004 report from the Archdiocese of Los
Angeles, Wadeson was accused of molesting two children between the years of 1973 and
1977.
He has not been convicted of any crime in Guam or in Los Angeles, but the accusation was
deemed credible and Wadeson was prohibited from ministering in Los Angeles. He is one of 40
other priests that do not have any faculties to minister in the Los Angeles district.
Wadeson pointed out the lack of legal conviction in a paid advertisement placed in Guams
Roman Catholic newspaper the U Matuna Si Yuos. The advertisement is a letter from Wadeson
printed on page 5 of the July 25 issue.
Wadeson defended himself, writing that he was never condemned and the accusation made
against him is a calumny. The investigation made into that allegation concluded that it was
without foundation and I continued to serve as pastor in the parish of St. Peter Claver (in New
Jersey) for an additional three years until 1995, Wadeson wrote.
Wadeson wrote that Rev. Thomas Ascheman, then-provincial superior of the Society of the
Divine Word, said, The allegation was never substantiated, no formal accusation was ever
made and no settlement was offered or made.
Further, Wadeson said he was never incardinated under the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. The
priest warned anyone who wishes to reiterate this false accusation that his lawyer has been
instructed to proceed judicially.
Any compensation received from lawsuits Wadeson pursues in relation to this accusation will be
devolved to help people on Guam in need, he said.
Archbishop Anthony Apuron has not released any public statement about the allegations
against Wadeson, aside from a statement removing him from the Agana archdiocese amid
growing public concern.

Monsignor
Benavente
abruptly
removed
as
church
rector
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No reassignment given yet

A WEEK after Monsignor James Benavente celebrated his 20th anniversary as a priest,
Archbishop Anthony Apuron removed him from his position as rector of the Dulce Nombre de
Maria Cathedral-Basilica.
A source close to the monsignor said Benaventes removal was a sudden move. Monsignor
James was issued a decree by the archbishop abruptly removing him from his position as
rector, which hes held for 20 years, the source said.
No reason was given in the decree that gave notice of Benaventes removal; however, the
source said Apuron cited allegations of financial mismanagement as the reason for ousting
Benavente. The local JungleWatch blog also indicated the archbishop alleged financial
improprieties before removing Benavente as rector. In particular, the allegations stem from the
entity of which Benavente has oversight.
No formal notice
Benavente, the source said, asked Apuron for a copy of the allegations against him and has yet
to receive them. As of yesterday, Benavente had not received any formal notice of the
allegations of financial mismanagement, the source said.
Thats not only a concern for the monsignor, but its also a concern for the parishioners that
have worked with the monsignor over the last 20 years, the source said.
As of yesterday afternoon, Benavente had not been reassigned to any new position within the
church.
Yesterday, Apuron announced that Monsignor David C. Quitugua, former vicar general for the
archdiocese, would be the new rector for the Cathedral-Basilica.
In a letter published online on the JungleWatch blog by blogger and Catholic watchdog Tim
Rohr, Benavente informed parish employees and others of his removal. The letter was
addressed to members of the Cathedral-Basilicas parish council, finance council and
employees of the pastoral center, gift shop and Catholic cemeteries. Benavente said he had
been formally removed from his assignment as rector, effective July 25.
Benavente also informed members and employees, in the same letter, that Apuron removed
him from his assignment as director of Catholic cemeteries and dissolved the Archdiocesan
Development Group.
Benavente headed the Archdiocesan Development group, an umbrella organization that served
the gift shop, the basilicas museum and the basilicas media ministries. Although the
Archdiocesan Development Group was dissolved, the entities under it will, Benavente wrote,
remain as part of the pastoral ministry of the Cathedral-Basilica.
Benavente concluded his letter asking members and employees of the parish council and
finance council to continue to pray for Apuron, the church and for him.
After 20 years of service as rector of the Cathedral-Basilica, please accept my profound
appreciation for your support and working relationship throughout the years, Benavente wrote.
Vigil
A prayer vigil organized by concerned Catholics will be held on Tuesday at 5 p.m. in solidarity to
pray for Benavente. It will be held on the steps of the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-
Basilica in Hagta. Rain or shine, an organizer said, the vigil will be held in solidarity for
monsignor and more importantly in prayer for the archbishop and for our church.
No public statement has been released about Benaventes removal by the Archdiocese of
Agana. Calls from Variety were not returned.
This is the second priest Apuron has removed from the diocese within a week. Last Tuesday,
Apuron announced that Rev. John Wadeson would be removed from active and public ministry
from the Agana Archdiocese after public concern had grown over allegations of molestation
made against Wadeson. The allegations were made in the 1970s in Los Angeles and were
deemed credibly by the Los Angeles diocesan officials. Wadeson had been banned from
practicing as a priest in Los Angeles since then. Apuron had been heavily criticized for allowing
Wadeson to minister on Guam since 2000.

Watchdog
group
says
archbishops
behavior
was
dangerous
FRIDAY, 25 JUL 2014 03:00AM
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ARCHBISHOP Anthony Apuron continues to be criticized by

leaders of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
(SNAP).
The group that recently publicized molestation accusations
against Rev. John Wadeson, who until Tuesday was serving
under the Agana Archdiocese, released another statement calling
Apurons behavior dangerous.
According to Joelle Castiex, SNAP western regional director,
Apuron knew Wadeson was a predator and had been banned
from Los Angeles, California.
But (Apuron) simply didnt care, she said. That behavior is
unacceptable, reckless and against common morality.
Photo shows Archbishop Anthony

Apuron and the embattled Rev.
John Wadeson, who until Tuesday
was serving under the Agana
Archdiocese. Contributed photo
SNAP Outreach Director Barbara Dorris said Apuron acted like a

bully when local Catholics became upset upon learning about Wadeson being allowed to work
on Guam. Dorris said Apuron defended a banned priest and silenced his critics.
Wadeson was removed from the Archdiocese of Agana on Tuesday, according to an
announcement in a public statement from the Archdiocese of Agana. Since then, the
archdiocese has not commented about the accusations against Wadeson or his future.
However, Wadeson told other local media that the accusations against him were lies about him
and Apuron. These comments are hurtful and self-aggrandizing, SNAP leaders said in a
statement. According to the network, Wadeson is headed to California, which is where he had
been stationed as an incardinated priest under the Agana Archdiocese.
The archdiocese has not publicly clarified Wadesons role in the Guam Catholic community
throughout the 14 years he served on the island. A 2013 Agana Archdiocese directory,
however, lists him as a priest working away from Agana, in the Neocathechumenal Center in
San Francisco.
SNAP leaders urge Apuron to reach out to the community and seek possible victims. We also
want Archbishop Apuron to do what roughly 30 U.S. bishops have done: post on his website, for
the sake of public safety, the names, photos and whereabouts of all child-molesting clerics who
are or have been in Guam, Dorris said.

SNAP:
Wadeson
not
only
priest
accused
of
sexual
misconduct
THURSDAY, 24 JUL 2014 03:00AM
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ARCHBISHOP Anthony Apuron owes Guam Catholics an

apology, said Joelle Casteix, a member of the Survivors Network
of those Abused by Priests (SNAP).
Apuron should apologize to Catholics, quit trying to silence his
critics and reach out to the abused, she said. He must name all
credibly accused clerics who have worked in the archdiocese and
post those names in parish bulletins and on his website, Castiex
said. He must act immediately.
Castiex also said it was troubling that a statement from SNAP
was what prompted Apuron to remove John Wadeson. Why
werent the voices of Guams Catholics enough? Why isnt zero
tolerance enough? she asked.
Wadeson was recently removed from active and public ministry
by Guam Archbishop Anthony Apuron due to growing public
concern over Wadesons past.
Archbishop Anthony Apuron, in a

brief statement on Tuesday, said
the Archdiocese of Agana has a
policy regarding sexual misconduct
and sexual harassment and takes
these matters very seriously.
Variety file photo
According to SNAP, Wadeson was accused of molesting two children sometime between 1973
and 1977, a claim deemed credible by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles. At the time, Wadeson
was ministering in the Los Angeles archdiocese, but the accusations led to the archdiocese
being prohibited from ministering there.
The accusations against Wadeson were published in a statement by SNAP on July 18. The
network also called on Apuron to remove Wadeson and reach out to anyone who may have
suffered misdeeds by Wadeson.
Bare minimum
Ousting a predator priest from ministry is the bare minimum, said David Clohessy, SNAP
executive director. The archbishop should explain how a dangerous cleric was put on the job
around kids and severely discipline all those who were part of this reckless decision.
Castiex agreed with Clohessy. Apuron knowingly allowed this priest to live and work on Guam.
He turned his back when Guams Catholics expressed outrage. He tried to stonewall when the
papal nuncio visited recently, Castiex said.
Castiex said she is currently looking into allegations of sexual misconduct against other priests
working and living on Guam.
Whistleblowers
Castiex said she follows local blogger Tim Rohrs blog, Junglewatch, which is the source she
cited regarding Apurons actions.
Rohr said he was not the only whistleblower and found out about Wadesons past through other
people who emailed him links of the Bishop Accountabilitys website detailing accusations
against Wadeson.
They first started sending me links after it became known that the archbishop had fired Rev.
Paul (Gofigan) because he supposedly was harboring a man who the archbishop said was a
danger to children, Rohr said.
Rohr said the way Apuron treated Gofigan was in stark contrast to how he treated Wadeson.
The only whistleblowing I did was (a) post on my blog. Others must have picked it up and
contacted SNAP, or maybe SNAP had already been reading, Rohr said.
Until Tuesdays announcement by Apuron of Wadesons removal, the priest had been serving in
the Agana Archdiocese since 2000. Other than the statement announcing Wadesons removal,
little other information has come from the Archdiocese of Agana about the subject.
Calls to the archdiocese have not been returned.
San Francisco
Based on the Agana Archdioceses 2013 directory, Wadeson has been an incardinated priest of
the Agana Archdiocese but serving in San Francisco.
Rohr said this raises the question as to whether or not the Archbishop of San Francisco was
aware that Wadeson was functioning as a priest in the San Francisco diocese.
Further, Rohr questioned whether or not Apuron properly informed the Archbishop of San
Francisco that Wadeson could minister in the area with appropriate permission.

Ousted priest leaves Guam

Subjects: Sex crimes
Author:
Date:
Jul 23, 2014
Start Page: n/a
Section:
Local News
Document Text
Father John Howard Wadeson, who has been removed from the Archdiocese of Agana over a cloud of sexual abuse
allegations in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, has left Guam.
As he left, Wadeson responded to the Pacific Daily News. Here are excerpts:
"...I was in such shock at the viciousness and lies of what was being said about me and our (Archbishop Anthony
Apuron), whom I hold in great esteem, that I was lost for words.
For the good of the Church I thought it best that I leave the country, albeit with a very heavy heart, so that these false
accusations that are being leveled at me do not become weapons to use against our Archbishop or the church of
Guam. Years of evidence shows that our Archbishop Anthony Sablan Apuron has been in the forefront against
gambling and the corruption that it would bring; he has consistently defended marriage and the family; he is
encouraging vocations to the priesthood and religious life to help in the evangelization of the Pacific. He has truly been
a pastor and those who are attacking him know not what they do!
Meanwhile I will continue to pray for our Church, our archbishop as well as for those who attack him. One of the great
Fathers of the Church, St. Gregory the Great, commented on the words that Job uttered In the midst of his anguish:
"He, who is mocked by his friend as I am, will invoke God and He will answer him. (Job 12:4) and he said "It is the
wisdom of the righteous, to pretend nothing in show, to discover what he means by words; to love the truth as it is, to
eschew falsehood; to set forth good deeds for naught, to bear evil more gladly than to do it; to seek no revenging of a
wrong, to account opprobrium for the Truth's sake to be a gain. But this simplicity of the righteous is 'laughed to scorn,'
in that the goodness of purity is taken for folly by the 'wise' men of this world. For doubtless every thing that is done
from innocency is accounted as foolish by them, and whatever truth sanctions in practice sounds weak to carnal
wisdom. For what seems worse folly to the world than to show your mind through your words, to feign nothing by crafty
contrivance, to return no abuse for wrong, to pray for them that speak evil of us, to seek after poverty, to forsake our
possessions, not to resist him that is robbing us, to offer the other cheek to one that strikes us?"
ID_Code: M0-140723012

Father John Howard Wadeson, who has been removed from the Archdiocese of Agana over a cloud of sexual abuse
allegations in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, has left Guam.
Apuron removes priest: California sex scandal prompts action

Subjects: Catholic churches; Child abuse & neglect; Sex crimes; Clergy
Author:
Date:
Jul 23, 2014
Start Page: n/a
Section:
Local News
Document Text
Umatuna.org photo
A priest whom Archbishop Anthony Apuron has removed from "active and public ministry" had been barred from Los
Angeles Catholic churches and schools for years because of two child molestation allegations, documents show.
The Archdiocese of Agana announced yesterday that the archbishop removed Father John Wadeson from his functions
as a priest in the Guam Catholic community "in response to concerns in the community."
"The Archdiocese of Agana has a policy regarding sexual misconduct and sexual harassment and takes these matters
seriously," the archdiocese stated.
The archdiocese was unable to answer when Wadeson was incardinated, or officially given authority, to be a priest on
Guam. The local archdiocese also didn't state when it knew of the allegations against Wadeson in Los Angeles.
The California office of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, a global support group for clergy abuse
victims, issued a statement on Saturday urging Apuron to follow the Los Angeles archdiocese's ban on Wadeson.
"We urge Apuron to immediately remove Father Wadeson from ministry and make public announcements about Father
Wadeson at every parish where he has worked or celebrated Mass, begging anyone who may have seen, suspected ...
misdeeds by Father Wadeson to step forward, get help, call police, protect others and start healing," the network stated.
Wadeson had been under the local archdiocese for at least a year.
A June 2013 edition of the Archdiocese of Agana newspaper, Umatuna, shows a photo of Wadeson, who's described
as a "formator," or guide, for would-be priests in the Redemptoris Mater Seminary in Yona.
The Pacific Daily News called the seminary yesterday, but Wadeson was not available for comment.
The allegations against Wadeson in Los Angeles were made public as early as February 2004.
That year, the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Office of the Archbishop publicly issued a report acknowledging accusations
of clergy sex abuse. That report lists Wadeson's name among 113 priests who were accused of sexual abuse in a 75-
year span in the Los Angeles archdiocese. More than 5,000 priests served in the Archdiocese of Los Angeles in the
same time frame.
The report states two allegations against Wadeson were filed, but those did not end up in court.
"The report represents our best understanding of the history of sexual abuse in the (Archdiocese of Los Angeles) and
our efforts to eliminate this scourge," states Cardinal Roger Mahony, archbishop of Los Angeles, in a letter that
accompanied the report.
"The Archdiocese humbly asks forgiveness from victims, their families and friends, from the faithful, and from society in
general for the mistakes of the past," Mahony wrote. "The facts and analysis of the local Church's response to these
issues are put forward so that people may understand how choices were made, however flawed they all too often
were."
Wadeson's affiliation with the Guam archdiocese was made public recently in Guam resident Tim Rohr's blog, Jungle
Watch.
Concerns over finances
Rohr and his followers had been supporting the call by an anonymous group of Catholics for Apuron to disclose publicly
the local archdiocese's income and expenses. Other U.S. dioceses have made public disclosures of their audited
financial reports.
Rohr and his followers have voiced concern that the Redemptoris Mater Seminary, which is located in one of the local
archdiocese's largest real estate assets, the former Accion Hotel, is being financially subsidized by local parishioners'
donations. Some of the seminarians and priests there aren't from the local archdiocese, Rohr has said.
"By not declaring any income and not filing a return, the seminary can keep its finances hidden," Rohr stated yesterday.
"And by (Archbishop Apuron's) insisting that the seminary is not a part of the archdiocese, he can keep the seminary's
finances out of any financial report the archdiocese might publish."
"Many on Guam have long suspected the seminary was being used as a financial pass-through to support
Neocatechumenal priests, members, and projects outside of Guam, a use of money that Guam's Catholics, from whom
this money is solicited, might question if they knew about it," according to Rohr.
ID_Code: M0-307230002

"The report represents our best understanding of the history of sexual abuse in the (Archdiocese of Los Angeles) and
our efforts to eliminate this scourge," states Cardinal Roger Mahony, archbishop of Los Angeles, in a letter that
accompanied the report.
Apuron
removes
priest
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Accusations of molestation aired

GROWING public concern over Rev. John Wadesons past
prompted Archbishop Anthony Apuron to remove Wadeson from
active and public ministry.
Apuron announced Wadesons removal in a short, two-sentence
statement released yesterday.
In response to concerns in the community regarding Father John
Wadeson serving in the Archdiocese of Agana, the Archbishop
has decided to remove Father Wadeson from active and public
ministry at this time. The Archdiocese of Agana has a policy
regarding sexual misconduct and sexual harassment and takes
these matters very seriously, the statement said.
Wadeson was accused of molesting two children in California
between the years 1973 and 1977. The allegations were deemed
credible by the Archdiocese of Los Angeles and Wadeson was
prohibited from ministering in the Los Angeles area.
Archbishop Anthony Apuron, in a

brief statement yesterday, said
the Archdiocese of Agana has a
policy regarding sexual misconduct
and sexual harassment and takes
these matters very seriously.
Variety file photo
Since 2000, however, Wadeson has been working in some capacity under the Archdiocese of
Agana. A 2013 Archdiocese of Agana directory lists Wadeson as one of four incardinated
priests away from the archdiocese.
Wadesons past was recently made public in a statement released on July 18, by the Survivors
Network of those Abused by Priests. We are shocked to learn that a priest from Los Angeles
accused twice of molesting children now works as a priest on Guam, SNAP members wrote.
We strongly urge Guam Catholic officials to oust him.
Unclear
It is unclear from Apurons statement if Wadesons removal means he will continue in any
capacity at the Neocatechumenal Center in San Francisco, which is where Wadeson is working,
according to the local Archdioceses directory. Calls to the archdiocese had not been returned
for clarification.
According to the archdioceses policy on sexual misconduct and sexual harassment, selection
of candidates for the archdiocese, including employees and volunteers, must include
background checks and other standard means of assessing a persons potential for sexual
misconduct.
The policy also states that upon learning of suspected sexual misconduct, the archbishop is
required to promptly verify the report, notify a sexual abuse coordinator, launch an investigation
headed by an archdiocesan investigator and direct the accused person not to have contact with
the complainant.
If the archbishop determines that sexual misconduct has occurred, the archbishop may place
the priest on leave, direct him to therapeutic treatment or evaluation, restrict his ministry or
activities or seek or impose appropriate canonical measures or penalties.
LA
priest
accused
of
molestation
now
in
Hagta
archdiocese
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AN INDEPENDENT network of survivors of institutional sexual

abuse expressed their disappointment with Guam Archbishop
Anthony Apuron for allowing a priest accused of molestation to
work at the Archdiocese of Agana.
In a statement released Friday, the Survivors Network of those
Abused by Priests (SNAP) said Rev. John Howard Wadeson was
accused twice of molesting children in Los Angeles.
According to www.bishop-accountability.org, Wadeson was
accused of molestation by two individuals between 1973 and
1977. A report from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles dated Feb.
17, 2004 details the same information about Wadeson.
Anthony Apuron
The SNAP statement did not indicate when Wadeson began working for the local archdiocese,
but in February the islands Roman Catholic newspaper published a photo of Wadeson pictured
with Apuron and three others, celebrating Apurons 30th anniversary of his Episcopal Ordination
in Hawaii.
Moreover, the 2013 Agana Archdiocesan directory lists Wadeson as one of four incardinated
priests away from the archdiocese. According to U.S. conference of Catholic Bishops,
incardination is traditionally used to refer to the attachment of the priest or deacon to a
diocesan Church headed by a diocesan bishop. Wadesons contact information in the directory
indicates he is serving at the Neocatechumenal Center in San Francisco.
The allegations against Wadeson were deemed credible by California church officials,
prompting the Archdiocese of Los Angeles to prohibit him from working as a priest in the Los
Angeles archdiocese, according to SNAP. Wadeson is listed among 46 other priests or
monsignors who have no faculty to minister in Los Angeles.
Wadeson has not been convicted of abuse, however the Archdiocese of Los Angeles banned
him from ministry, which is enough evidence for Apuron to remove Wadeson immediately, the
SNAP network said.
We fear that Apuron is putting Guams children at risk and protecting a credibly accused
predator instead of protecting his flock, the statement said.
The statement called for Apuron to remove Wadeson from local ministry and publicize
Wadesons history of work and where he celebrated Mass, as well as explain to parishioners
that Wadeson has been accused of abuse by two children and is banned from ministerial
practice in Los Angeles.

In its statement, the SNAP organization also thanked whistleblowers in the Hagta
archdiocese for working steadfastly to ensure that Fr. Wadeson is removed and his past
exposed.
The Archdiocese of Agana has published its policy on sexual misconduct, stating the
Archdiocese is opposed to, will not tolerate and will diligently strive to prevent all forms of sexual
misconduct. Further, the archbishop has written and published a memo to local clergy, writing
that all allegations of sexual misconducts should be taken seriously and an accused priest,
deacon or employee has the right to due process, both canonical and civil. The letter was
circulated in 2002 and is currently published on the archdioceses website.
Church disclosure urged

Subjects: Councils; Catholicism; Catholic churches; Leadership; Islands
Author:
Date:
Jul 11, 2014
Start Page: n/a
Section:
Local News
Document Text
It used to be taboo for Guam parishioners to ask Catholic Church leadership to be open about the handling of church
funds, but under the new pope, it's what parishioners expect, Sinajana Mayor Robert Hofmann said yesterday.
A group calling itself Concerned Catholics of Guam last week published a notice in the Pacific Daily News, calling on
the Archdiocese of Agana to publish audited financial statements annually on the Internet, like other Catholic churches
in the country have done.
"Archbishop Anthony Sablan Apuron ... has met with members of the Archdiocesan Finance Council and members of
the Archdiocesan Presbyteral Council to discuss the matter. They will advise him accordingly," the archdiocese said this
week in a written statement.
The Archdiocesan Presbyteral Council is made up of priests working in the archdiocese.
In the meantime, other Guam Catholics have stepped forward this week, saying they also support financial disclosure
by the local church.
"I am a Catholic in the Archdiocese of Agana, ... my husband and I are involved in several ministries within the church,"
said Teri Untalan, a member of the Santa Barbara parish in Dededo. "We give our time, talent and treasure, and feel we
have a right to know about the stewardship of our 'treasure.'"
Guam Catholic Frank Dela Cruz said he's not affiliated with the anonymous "Concerned Catholics" group, but he
supports church transparency on finances. He said he has contributed faithfully to the Sunday collections and to the
Catholic Charities Appeal without question.
But as questions over church finances remain unanswered, Dela Cruz said, he has decided to withhold his contributions
to the church.
In May, Pope Francis renewed his call for Catholic churches around the world to manage assets "prudently" and to
avoid straying from a path of "transparency," the Vatican news service reported.
Mayor Hofmann, whose village is home to Saint Jude Thaddeus Church, said he's heard a growing number of
constituents who want the local church leadership to open financial records for public view.
Island Catholics have "taken note from Rome" that local church leaders should also show accountability, transparency
and frugality, Hofmann said.
Parish opens up
One Guam parish has taken the initiative to open up its income and expenses for public inspection.
Father Mike Crisostomo, pastor of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Toto, said his parish will make its
income and expenses available online through the church's Website, http://ihomguam.homestead.com/index.html.
The Toto parish already makes its income and expenses available through a newsletter and to anyone who asks, he
said.
The archdiocese requires the island's parishes to submit a monthly income and expense report every 15th of the month
to the archdiocese's main office, so the information is readily available, Crisostomo said.
Crisostomo said his parish heeds Pope Francis' message that the Catholic Church should move to be more
transparent.
Vatican delegate visit
As the local church leadership faces mounting calls for transparency, a Vatican delegate to the Pacific islands,
Archbishop Martin Krebs, is expected to visit Guam from July 12 to July 15. Krebs is Pope Francis' appointed delegate
to the Pacific islands.
Krebs is scheduled to celebrate an 8:30 a.m. Mass on Sunday at St. Jude Thaddeus Church in Sinajana and has
accepted an invitation from the Mayors' Council of Guam to meet with the mayors Monday night.
"I welcome Archbishop Krebs to our island and our archdiocese," Apuron said. "Archbishop Krebs will have an open ear
for groups and individuals who wish to share their input with the delegate."
A former Guam priest-in-training yesterday said he hopes Krebs will recommend a temporary leadership change in the
local archdiocese, pending a thorough investigation of complaints against the current leadership.
Father Matthew Blockley, a Manila-based priest who came to Guam as a seminarian in the 1990s, said the culture of
secrecy in the local church's leadership must end.
Blockley was a priest in Saipan in the 1990s and, after he voiced concerns about secrecy in the local church, both on
Guam and in Saipan, Blockley said he got kicked out of the Marianas.
Guam Catholic Tim Rohr, whose blog Jungle Watch discusses controversial issues, said the archdiocese's leadership
has yet to publicly answer questions about one of the local church's biggest assets -- the former Accion Hotel.
The Ylig Bay oceanfront property is being used as a seminary, but there's growing concern among local parishioners,
Rohr said, because of an alleged attempt to transfer title of the prime property from the archdiocese to a group that's in
part controlled by New Jersey-based U.S. representatives of Neocatechumenal Way -- a movement in the Catholic
Church.
"Perhaps due to the exposure of the archbishop's attempt to quietly hand over a multimillion-dollar asset to (off-island)
control, the transfer of the title has not yet taken place," Rohr said.
That property could be worth $35 million in today's market, Rohr said. The archdiocese bought the former hotel for $2
million in 2002 after the $57 million hotel project failed, Pacific Daily News files state.
The archdiocese didn't respond to Rohr's comments about the former hotel property, stating the leadership doesn't
respond to his blogs.
ID_Code: M0-307110003

A group calling itself Concerned Catholics of Guam last week published a notice in the Pacific Daily News, calling on
the Archdiocese of Agana to publish audited financial statements annually on the Internet, like other Catholic churches
in the country have done.
Apostolic
delegate
to
visit
Guam
FRIDAY, 11 JUL 2014 03:00AM
PRESS RELEASE
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(Archdiocese of Agana) Archbishop Anthony Sablan Apuron

will welcome Archbishop Martin Krebs, the apostolic delegate to
the Pacific Islands, to Guam this week.
Archbishop Krebs is scheduled to visit Guam July 12 to 15. He
was appointed by Pope Francis to his position as apostolic
delegate to the Pacific Islands. He comes on a pastoral visit
desiring to meet with a number of different realities of the
archdiocese.
The apostolic delegate visits every diocese for which he has a
responsibility on behalf of the Holy Father, Krebs said in an
email message recently. During that kind of visit, the apostolic
delegate tries to meet different realities of the local churches.
Krebs is scheduled to celebrate the 8:30 a.m. Mass with Rev.
Gus Gumataotao, on Sunday, July 13 at St. Jude Thaddeus
Church in Sinajaa.
Archbishop Martin Krebs, the

apostolic delegate to the Pacific
Islands, is scheduled to visit Guam
July 12 to 15. Contributed photo
He has also accepted an invitation from the Mayors Council of Guam to join them for dinner
Monday evening, July 14.
I welcome Archbishop Krebs to our island and our archdiocese, said Apuron. Archbishop
Krebs will have an open ear for groups and individuals who wish to share their input with the
delegate.
Pope Francis teaches us that as the church established by Christ, all bishops and clergy are
called to be humble leaders as well as servants of the people, said Apuron. Again, I welcome
our apostolic delegate to our island.
Krebs was born in Essen, Germany 56 years ago. He was ordained a priest in 1983. He
obtained a doctorate in canon law and entered the diplomatic service of the Holy See in 1991.
He was ordained archbishop in November 2008.
Appointed by Pope Francis, Krebs is considered Apostolic Nuncio to those Pacific islands which
have diplomatic relations with the Holy See. He is the apostolic delegate to those which do not.

Archbishop wants to meet with Concerned Catholics

Subjects: Catholicism; Catholic churches; Spirituality
Author:
Date:
Jul 4, 2014
Start Page: n/a
Section:
Local News
Document Text
The local Catholic Church's leadership hasn't accepted a challenge to release its audited cash collections and
expenses to the public.
Archbishop Anthony Apuron instead wants to meet with the Concerned Catholics of Guam, who publicly challenged the
local church to disclose its finances.
"The Archdiocese of Agana invites the group known as 'Concerned Catholics of Guam' to meet with the archbishop and
the Archdiocesan Finance Council regarding its recent request," the archdiocese stated yesterday.
The group delivered its message for the archdiocese to be financially transparent through a paid advertisement in the
Pacific Daily News' July 2 edition.
The group stated the archbishop should disclose the church's audited figures on assets, liabilities, net assets, revenues
and expenses.
U.S. dioceses have done so, and it's time for the Archdiocese of Agana to do the same, stated the group, whose
members are anonymous.
The group can call the archbishop's executive secretary at 562-0076 to arrange a meeting, according to the
archdiocese's statement.
The statement didn't say whether the archdiocese is considering the request.
"The archdiocese has no further comment at this time," it said yesterday in a statement.
Tim Rohr, a Guam Catholic who writes about local Catholic issues and other matters in his blog Jungle Watch, said
Wednesday he doesn't know the group's members, but agrees that the church leadership should show the community
how it spends financial gifts.
The group called for fiscal transparency as local parishes are encouraged to meet higher fundraising goals under the
Annual Archdiocesan Appeal.
The annual event, held during Lent, has raised more than $1 million for the local church over the past 10 years, in part
to help with the expenses of the two local seminaries on the island and to support local chaplains.
The annual fundraising is in addition to the Sunday Mass collections, according to the archdiocese.
Over the past 10 years, the annual campaign raised between $68,187 and $131,342 a year.
"In 2013, for the first time, a goal amount was established at the suggestion of the parish priests to have a goal amount
set by parish," the archdiocese said on its Website, www.aganaarch.org.
This year, a recommended goal amount -- $253,252 -- was proposed, the archdiocese states, "with the understanding
that each family is invited to contribute in the spirit of prayer, Lenten self-sacrifice, and alms giving." Last year, the
annual fundraiser brought in $99,122, the archdiocese states.
The church offers a guideline for gifts by parishioners.
"As in the past, it is recommended that each wage earner contributes a day's wage and each business contributes a
day's net income," the archdiocese states. "Again, all contributions are voluntary, in the spirit of stewardship."
SPEAK OUT
Should the island's Catholic Church and other churches publicly disclose their cash collections and expenses? Go to
www.facebook.com/GuamPDN.
ON THE NET
Archdiocese of Agana: www.aganaarch.org
ID_Code: M0-307040009

"The Archdiocese of Agana invites the group known as 'Concerned Catholics of Guam' to meet with the archbishop and
the Archdiocesan Finance Council regarding its recent request," the archdiocese stated yesterday.
Church finances questioned

Subjects: Catholicism; Catholic churches; Administrative expenses; Disclosure
Author:
Date:
Jul 3, 2014
Start Page: A.1
Section:
Local News
Document Text
Guam's Catholic Church leadership is being challenged to disclose its finances, as other Catholic churches in the
United States have done.
The group Concerned Catholics of Guam placed an advertisement in yesterday's Pacific Daily News, challenging
Archbishop Anthony Apuron "to publish annually, beginning with the fiscal year completed on June 30, 2012, an
independent auditor's report."
The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops passed a resolution, encouraging dioceses within its jurisdiction to adopt a
voluntary financial reporting system. The resolution was first adopted in 2000 by the conference of Catholic bishops in
the United States, and has been renewed to take effect through 2016.
The national group of Catholic bishops also publishes its audited financial statements, and at the end of 2012 disclosed
assets of $357 million and total liabilities of $142 million.
The Archdiocese of Agana was unable to comment yesterday, but it plans to respond to the newspaper's questions
today, according to the chancery office.
The Concerned Catholics of Guam stated that the disclosures should include details of assets, liabilities, net assets,
revenues and expenses. The group's members are unnamed.
"Today, almost all of U.S. dioceses publish an annual financial report on their respective Websites," the group stated, "It
is time for the Archdiocese of Agana to do the same."
Tim Rohr, an outspoken Guam Catholic who writes about local church issues on his blog http://www.junglewatch.info/,
said he doesn't know the people who are launching the challenge, but said he agrees the local church leadership
should be transparent about how much money has been collected and how it was spent.
The names of the people challenging the church leadership to be transparent on finances shouldn't be the issue, Rohr
wrote on his blog.
"The issue should be ... financial transparency in this diocese," Rohr wrote.
Rohr said anyone perceived to be critical of the local church leadership fears retribution. Families may be concerned
that their young children might not be accepted into Catholic schools, or into catechism classes, he said.
The Archdiocese of Agana Website doesn't have financial statements, but it notes past cash collections for its annual
fundraising campaign called "Archdiocesan Annual Appeal."
The annual fundraising is separate from island parishes' Sunday Mass collections, the archdiocese states on its
website.
This year, the goal for the annual appeal was to raise $225,000, in part to help cover expenses for the Catholic church's
two seminaries, the local archdiocese states.
Over the past 10 years, more than $1 million has been raised through the Archdiocesan Annual Campaign, the
Archdiocese of Agana Website states.
A day's wage
"Sacred Scripture speaks of tithing, or giving back 10 percent of what we have to the Lord," the archdiocese Website
states.
The Diocese of Honolulu is one of many across the nation that publishes its audited financial reports.
It reported receiving $12.4 million in gifts, donations and other revenue last year.
It reported spending $10.3 million, including $2.7 million for administrative expenses, its financial report states.
ID_Code: M0-307030002

The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops passed a resolution, encouraging dioceses within its jurisdiction to adopt a
voluntary financial reporting system.
Conflict between archbishop, priest could end up in court

Subjects: Defamation; Clergy
Author:
Date:
Jan 16, 2014
Start Page: A.3
Section:
Local News
Document Text
Father Paul Gofigan's dispute with Archbishop Anthony Apuron may end up in court.
Gofigan issued a statement on Tuesday, saying Apuron hasn't retracted comments that Gofigan allege tainted the
priest's reputation.
A phone call and an email to the Archdiocese of Agana leadership for comment were not returned as of press time.
Gofigan had sent the archbishop a letter on Jan. 13, which gave the archbishop until noon Tuesday "to make the
retraction in writing, and to give a copy of (Apuron's) retraction to every member of Guam's clergy."
Gofigan's letter to the archbishop states Apuron allegedly made slanderous comments about Gofigan and a parishioner
friend and a friend's family at a gathering of more than 30 members of the clergy from Guam and the Philippines.
Gofigan wrote that the archbishop made the alleged comments at an archdiocesan retreat in the Philippines.
After the deadline passed, Gofigan issued a statement that "it is certainly a sad day for Guam and our beloved Church
that her archbishop will slander and malign his priest behind his back and then refuse to retract or apologize."
"I am now looking at all options, including retaining an attorney to file a defamation suit," Gofigan said.
Employee dispute
The archbishop removed Gofigan as pastor at Santa Barbara Church in Dededo in July 2013, stating that Gofigan
allegedly failed to terminate the employment of a known sex offender.
Gofigan at the time said the archbishop and his advisers were mistaken in their belief that he hadn't terminated the
employee. The crime took place more than 32 years ago, and the person in question had paid his debt to society and
had fully repented, Gofigan said in a previous statement.
ID_Code: M0-301160015

Employee dispute The archbishop removed Gofigan as pastor at Santa Barbara Church in Dededo in July 2013, stating
that Gofigan allegedly failed to terminate the employment of a known sex offender.
Gofigan
says
archbishop
slandered
him,
lawsuit
mulled
WEDNESDAY, 15 JAN 2014 03:00AM
BY FRANK WHITMAN | VARIETY NEWS STAFF
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REV. Paul Gofigan yesterday said he is considering a defamation lawsuit against Archbishop
Anthony Apuron for remarks Apuron is alleged to have made implying that Gofigan and a male
parishioner were having a sexual relationship. The charges are the latest in a controversy that
began in July 2013 when Apuron demanded that Gofigan resign as pastor of Santa Barbara
parish in Dededo because he had disobeyed an order given in 2011 to terminate the parish
employment of Joseph Lastimoza, who is a registered sex offender.
Gofigan has contended that he complied with the archbishops order and that his removal as
pastor was improper. He has retained a canon lawyer and is appealing the removal to the
Congregation for the Clergy in Rome. The appeal is ongoing. We don't know how long this will
take, Gofigan said.
In the latest development, Gofigan sent a letter dated Dec. 6, 2013 to Apuron which stated that
during a retreat for clergy in Manila in November 2013, the archbishop was heard to say that
people were wondering what is going on between the two of them and why they were so
intimate. The archbishop is also quoted in Gofigans letter as saying that Gofigan had a
stairway built to his room on the second floor and he would come in the middle of the night with
cases of beer and whatnot and stay there until the early morning.
In the Dec. 6 letter, Gofigan asked, Did you accuse me of a homosexual relationship with
Joseph Lastimoza? As you know, Mr. Lastimoza is married and that he and his wife have two
daughters. Gofigan also wrote that the stairway to the upstairs room was there long before I
was assigned to Santa Barbara. He acknowledged that he was visited by, and drank beer with,
Lastimoza as well as many other parishioners, friends and family.
Gofigan called the archbishops remarks slanderous and defamatory and asked for a
retraction and an apology. On Monday, Gofigan sent another letter to the archbishop noting that
he had received no response to the Dec. 6 letter. The inaction leaves me no choice but to take
steps to rectify your wrong and to salvage my name which you have gone out of your way to
ruin. He asked for a reply by noon yesterday, but said he had received none.
I am now looking at all options including retaining an attorney to file a defamation suit, Gofigan
said in a release yesterday.
I am not happy that it has come to this, but the archbishops actions and his failure to retract
(not even the courtesy of a reply) leaves me no choice but to take this route in order to restore
my name.
In response to an inquiry from Variety, Archdiocesan Chancellor Rev. Adrian Cristobal said in
an email that the matter is under advisement. We have no comment at this time.
Lastimoza was convicted of his involvement in the rape and murder of an adult woman 32 years
ago. He is not accused of any wrongdoing since then.
Archbishop
Apuron
makes
Gofigan
removal
official
THURSDAY, 21 NOV 2013 03:00AM
BY FRANK WHITMAN | FRANK@MVGUAM.COM | VARIETY NEWS STAFF
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Archbishop Anthony Apuron issued a decree of removal on Nov. 12 to remove Rev.

Paul Gofigan from his position as pastor of Santa Barbara Church in Dededo.
Gofigan and his canon lawyer, Rev. Adolfo Dacanay, have prepared a case appealing
the removal which they will present to the Congregation for the Clergy in Rome.
The dispute began with a July 16 letter to Gofigan in which the archbishop demanded
that Gofigan resign as pastor because he had disobeyed an order given in 2011 to
terminate the parish employment of an individual who is a registered sex offender.
In a July 20 letter to parishioners, Gofigan said he was refusing to resign and is
requesting a hearing before the archdiocesan tribunal. He has said that he had
terminated the employment of the individual who was convicted of raping an adult
woman 32 years ago.
Gofigan has claimed that canon law was not followed in removing him and he has
retained Dacanay, a Jesuit faculty member at the Ateneo de Manila University, to
represent him.
Archbishop Anthony Apuron issued

a decree of removal on Nov. 12 to
remove Rev. Paul Gofigan from his
position as pastor of Santa Barbara
Church in Dededo. Variety file
photo
In the decree of removal, Apuron said the canonical reason for removing Gofigan is
the act of disobedience in refusing to terminate the de facto employment of the sex
offender working in the parish, therefore causing Father Gofigan to act in a manner which brought grave disturbance to
ecclesial communion.
The decree outlines the steps Apuron has taken in the matter including required consultation with two pastors and allowing
Dacanay to inspect the acts the documents with the allegations. According to the decree, on Oct. 21 Gofigan was invited to
respond to the acts, but he had not done so as of Nov. 8.
The decree was effective Nov. 13.
Apuron,
Gofigan
still
at
odds;
case
may
go
to
Rome
MONDAY, 23 SEP 2013 03:30AM
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ARCHBISHOP Anthony Apuron and Rev. Paul Gofigan exchanged letters last week, reiterating
their respective stances in a confrontation that appears headed for a hearing in Rome,
according to a post on the blog of Tim Rohr, a Catholic activist.
A copy of a letter dated Sept. 10, apparently from Apuron to Gofigan, is posted on the blog. In it,
Apuron told Gofigan he is proceeding with the process of removing Gofigan as pastor of Santa
Barbara parish in Dededo observing the canonical norms. In keeping with the norms, Apuron
said Gofigan was permitted to inspect the documents related to his case on Sept. 13. He also
told Gofigan, he had 30 days to submit a written response to the Archbishop.
The documents to be inspected included the proofs of my investigation; the summary of my
discussion with the two pastor consultors; and the summary of my reasoning and evidence
which urges your removal.
In a Sept. 13 letter, Gofigan asked Apuron to restore him to the office of pastor. The request
followed a recounting of the steps taken against him in July the designation of a parochial
administrator, the denial of access to the parish offices and his removal from the schedule of
presiders of the Eucharist.
The dispute began with a July 16 letter to Gofigan in which the archbishop demanded that
Gofigan immediately resign as pastor because he had disobeyed an order given in 2011 to
terminate the parish employment of an individual who is a registered sex offender.
In a July 20 letter to parishioners, Gofigan said he was refusing to resign and is requesting a
hearing before the archdiocesan tribunal. He has said that he had terminated the employment
of the individual who was convicted of raping an adult woman 32 years ago.
Gofigan has claimed that canon law was not followed in removing him and has retained a canon
lawyer, Rev. Adolfo Dacanay, a Jesuit faculty member at the Ateneo de Manila University, to
represent him.
Because it now appears there is no attempt to resolve this locally, the case will move to Rome
to the Congregation for the Clergy where it will be heard, Rohr wrote.
Priest
to
initiate
litigation
rather
than
resign
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THE Rev. Paul Gofigan has retained a canon lawyer and intends
to pursue litigation before the archdioceses tribunal to contest
Archbishop Anthony Apuron's directive that Gofigan resign as
pastor of Santa Barbara Church in Dededo. Gofigan said he was
not afforded due process and that his actions were in keeping
with his pastoral duties.
The office of pastor is a canonical office, Gofigan told Variety. If
the archbishop wants to remove a pastor, there is a process to be
followed.
In a July 16 letter, the archbishop demanded that Gofigan resign
as pastor immediately because he had disobeyed an order given
in 2011 to terminate the employment of an individual who is a
registered sex offender.
Paul Gofigan
Gofigan said he terminated the employment of the individual but he volunteered to help out,
primarily at the priests house. The individual also volunteered at the church because the
parishioners asked him to help. He was welcome.
He noted that the individual was not registered as a sex offender when he was hired in 2008
since it wasnt required until the law changed in 2010. He had a police clearance, Gofigan
said. There was the conviction and we knew that he did time, but we saw repentance and a
desire to do good. Hes a good man. The man was convicted 32 years ago for a sex crime
involving an adult. There has been no allegation of improper conduct since then.
Letter
In a July 20 letter to parishioners, Gofigan said, This entire issue could have been cleared up if
they had simply spoken with me and done a basic investigation. On Monday, the archdiocese
issued a statement disputing those claims, saying it had both met with Gofigan and
investigated.
Gofigan, however, said neither the meeting nor the investigation was adequate. They didnt
give me a chance to respond; Im supposed to have 15 days to respond, Gofigan said. An
investigation is supposed to be conducted by two priests and there should be a report that I can
see.
In its Monday statement, the archdiocese emphasized its compassion for all people, even
those who have fallen and may have committed crimes in the past. But it also noted the
importance of abiding by standards that will safeguard all children in our care.
The archbishop is off island and Monsignor David Quitugua, vicar general of the archdiocese,
said he could not discuss the situation.
The archbishop also relieved Gofigan of his positions as director of vocations and director of the
Diaconate Formation Program.
Archdiocese says parish priest failed to fire known sex offender

Subjects: Clergy
Date:
Jul 23, 2013
Start Page: n/a
Section:
Local News
Document Text
A priest was terminated from his position at the Santa Barbara Catholic Church because he failed to follow a direct
order that related to the safety of children, according to the Archdiocese of Agana.
Father Paul Gofigan was asked to terminate the employment of an employee publically known to have a sex offense on
his record, the Archdiocese stated.
Gofigan, in a letter he disseminated on Saturday to the Dededo parishioners said he did terminate the employee. He
noted that the crime had been committed more than 32 years ago.
The Archdiocese said an investigation showed the person continued to have an active presence at the parish as a
volunteer.
"The person had keys to the facilities and had an active role on church grounds in different ways," the Archdiocese
stated.
Church officials stated that it has compassion for everyone, including those who've "fallen."
"However, especially in light of the painful lessons the church and all of society have had to endure in recent years --
and still endures -- we must abide by standards that will safeguard all children in our care," the Archdiocese's press
release states.
"A school full of children is in very close proximity to the parish. Confraternity of Christian Doctrine students,
confirmation students and other youth groups are part of the parish."
The press release also noted, in response to Gofigan's letter, that he was advised of the reasons of his termination and
given an opportunity to respond.
In his letter, Gofigan said the Archbishop and his advisors were mistaken in their belief that he hadn't terminated the
employee. He added that the person in question had paid his debt to society, had fully repented, and that he and his
family were eager to return to the Catholic church.
He said a simple investigation and a conversation with him would have cleared the matter entirely.
The Archdiocese noted that Gofigan is still a priest with the Archdiocese of Agana. Father Dan Bien replaced Gofigan
as the parochial administrator at the Dededo church.
ID_Code: M0-307230007

A priest was terminated from his position at the Santa Barbara Catholic Church because he failed to follow a direct
order that related to the safety of children, according to the Archdiocese of Agana.

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Pika Year in Review #6: Church faces controversies

Pacific Daily News - Hagatna, Guam

Abstract (Document Summary)

SINCE the Concerned Catholics of Guam organized at the start

Concerned Catholics of Guam

Concerned Catholics start petition

Abstract (Document Summary)

THE recently organized Concerned Catholics of Guam group

Concerned Catholics of Guam Vice

IN A matter of five days, Deacon Steve Martinez was censured

Archbishop Anthony Apuron had

CONCERNED Catholics of Guam President Greg Perez said the

The Concerned Catholics of Guam

ARCHBISHOP Anthony Apuron has not imposed a canonical

Part of the controversies stem

As of today, Dec. 19, 2014, as per your directive, I acknowledge

Mediation as an option for our church

Abstract (Document Summary)

REV. Paul Gofigan, who was removed by Archbishop Anthony

Rev. Paul Gofigan, who was

CONCERNED Catholics of Guam Inc. yesterday said a proper

Concerned Catholics of Guam Vice

the Neocatechemunal practice of a closed-door Mass.

Catholics form group to investigate church

Abstract (Document Summary)

Claims of molestation will not be investigated

Former Guam resident and ex-

Toves said victims can email him at johncharlestoves[at]gmail.com.

Deacon says Apuron innocent: Church won't investigate molestation allegation

Abstract (Document Summary)

Claims of molestation will not be investigated

Former Guam resident and ex-

Toves said victims can email him at johncharlestoves[at]gmail.com.

Church official: Archbishop Apuron innocent

Abstract (Document Summary)

Apuron: Accusation 'a horrible calumny'

Abstract (Document Summary)

Apuron complaint under review

Abstract (Document Summary)

Apuron accused of abuse: Former seminarian lodges complaint with Vatican

Abstract (Document Summary)

Abstract (Document Summary)

THE Archdiocese of Agana will post more financial statements

Archbishop Anthony Apuron earlier

The Concerned Catholics of Guam called the archdioceses

Fight within Church goes back 20 years

Archbishop: Deep debt prompted monsignor's ouster

Problem with The Way is its leadership

Tim Rohr is a resident of Agat.

Abstract (Document Summary)

LAST Sundays closure of The National Museum in the Dulce

The museum opened for a mere

The museum opened for a mere seven hours on Sunday, Aug. 3,

Benavente supporters refute Apurons claims

Tim Rohr, Catholic blogger on the

Rohr said protests and public votes in opposition to Apurons

A LETTER from the former Apostolic Delegate for the Pacific,

Five finance professionals disputed

Pope's delegate replies to Guam parishioners

Abstract (Document Summary)

Monsignor: Archbishop's statements on finances 'absolutely wrong'

Abstract (Document Summary)

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