Sunday, August 31, 2014

Building The Church Of Tomorrow



Sometimes we fail to see the obvious.  While many islands in the Pacific are languishing because of a serious lack of vocations, here in Guam we are thriving because we have an overflowing of youths who desire to become priests.  This is an awesome blessing.

This morning in Maloloj, Junie Valencia received the ministry of Lector in preparation for the priesthood in front of a packed Church. It was also announced that three youths from Yigo have entered the Diocesan Seminary. There are also two others who are seriously considering joining the Diocesan Seminary. Rev. Romeo Convocar is the Rector of this seminary. That means that there are four already in the seminary and two more possibly entering soon.   What a gift!

Then we have six youths from Guam studying at the Archdiocesan Missionary Seminary Redemptoris Mater seminary; two others are studying in Japan and Miami respectively. These youths come from Barrigada, Agana, Yona, Yigo, Asan and Mangilao. What a richness!

Earlier this month two youths from Guam, Brothers William and Jason made their first profession with the Capuchins at the Friary and Brothers Ryan and Gavin renewed their temporary profession as friars for another year. Then there are Sean and Cody, also from Guam, who are doing their novitiate in California. What a boon!

And there may be others that I do not know about.

We all understand it. Vocations come from God. He calls and man answers. But God works through men.  Let us be grateful to Archbishop Anthony Apuron who through his leadership managed to revamp vocations to the priesthood in Guam. He is the one who started the two diocesan seminaries in Yona and Maloloj. And he is a Capuchin. Thank you, Archbishop!
 

A Beautiful Story


God is such an artist. He has an ability to transform tragedies into sources of wonderful graces.  Quinton Peters was a South African, born and bred in Cape Town, that was studying to become a priest in the Netherlands but who died tragically in a car accident in the year 2007. He was 38 years old.

He came from a difficult family background but his sufferings brought him on the path of the Neocatechumenal Way, which he joined in 1986 when he was seventeen years old. Here he discovered his calling to the priesthood that led him eventually to the Diocesan Missionary Seminary Redemptoris Mater of Haarlem-Amsterdam in the Netherlands.
"To move to the Netherlands was a life-changing experience for Quinton", recalls his Rector Fr. Luc Georges, "demanding a profound interior transformation." Still, this time of Seminary led him on a path of full reconciliation with his family and his own history.

On the day of the accident, just two days before Christmas, he was traveling with another seminarian when their car slid on the icy road and they found themselves beneath the frosty water. "The death of Quinton, together with the other Deacon Juan Torres, has been a moment of great suffering for our Seminary.  The Rector Father Luc explained.  But it has also been a moment in which we all were helped to raise our eyes to heaven and to strengthen our faith in the resurrection of Christ. During the funeral, Juanita, the mother of Deacon Juan, testified that, even if she had lost her husband some months before because of a cancer, and now her son, she was in pain but with joy, because of the certainty that they were both in heaven. These words gave to our faith a great strength."
The earthly end of this seminarian has an amazing twist.  This seed, sown in the cold Dutch winter, bore many fruits in the mission of the Neocatechumenal Way in South Africa. "At first the family and the community couldn't see this tragic death as something that divine providence could have permitted for a good", says Dino Furgione, the responsible of the Neo-catechumenal Way for South Africa. "The feelings were of disappointment and failure, as if this death was a denial of hope for the future. But since the very first years after Quinton's death, things started to change and we have seen a new spirit coming. Many families of the Way started to give their availability to the mission. The Way has experienced a sort of rebirth, after many years of difficulties and disillusion. In a few years, the Way opened in four other dioceses, with many communities, and since 2012 the Archdiocese of Cape Town opened its own Diocesan Missionary Seminary Redemptoris Mater. All of this, just ten years ago, would have been unthinkable. And Quinton has a part in all of this, with his intercession by God".

The birth of the Seminary is mysteriously linked with Quinton. "On the day that we visited Bishop Brislin, - it was the 19th of August of 2012 -  and for the first time he told us of his resolution to erect a Redemptoris Mater Seminary, we went to the tomb of Quinton, to pray. Would you believe that the 19th of August is Quinton's birthday? This is why we consider this Seminary as a fruit of his intercession.”
In the eyes of faith, everything has a meaning.

Adapted from Zenith Rome, August 27, 2014 (Zenit.org) |
 

 

Saturday, August 30, 2014

The Archbishop In FD

A few anonymous poster/posters do not approve of the Archbishop speaking about what is happening in the local Church at FD. These are high school students, and some of them will be graduating into the world.  I think that it is important for young adults to be made aware of what is happening in the local Church so they can objectively form their own opinions about it.  Reading only the jungle and never hearing the Archbishop's side is an injustice.  That is what communists countries do, which is why they control the media.  By controlling the media, the government is able to brainwash the populace into believing what they want them to believe.  Young adults should be made aware of what is happening in Guam and in our world.  I would hope that the dire situations in Iraq is also being taught to the students of FD so they become aware of the things happening in our world.   

The beauty about living in Guam and America is that we have freedom of expression.  It is important for individual growth to have the right to present ideas and opinions as well as to consider other points of view.  Also, if a leader has the opportunity to express opinions freely, others may be more willing to accept a leader's decision, including ones that you disagree with.  

For example, many years ago, I did not agree with my boss' decision to lay off some employees due to budget constraints.  I felt that some of those employees were excellent; but because they were new and only worked there for a short period of time, he allowed these employees to be laid off.  I disagreed with the decision, but I accepted it.  As the leader, it is not always easy to make decisions like the one my boss made.  I later learned that hard lesson when I became a leader myself.  I am not the Archbishop nor do I wish to be in his shoes.  I am certain that some of the decisions he had to make was not an easy one for him. 

Friday, August 29, 2014

Christian Unity Not Division


(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Wednesday said that in a Christian community division is one of the worst sins because it comes not from God. He made the comment during weekly General Audience on Wednesday in St Peter’s Square.

The importance of unity was at the heart of Pope Francis’ catechesis at his weekly General Audience on Wednesday, telling the estimated ten thousand pilgrims and tourists present in St Peter’s Square that “ while we, the members of the Church, are sinners, the unity and holiness of the Church arise from God and call us daily to conversion.
The Holy Father said that the sins against unity, such as jealousy, envy, and  antipathy come about when we place ourselves at the centre and even occur even in our parish communities. 
Then the Pope underlined that in a Christian community division is one of the worst sins because it comes not from God but from the Devil.
God’s will, stressed Pope Francis “is that we grow in our capacity to welcome one another, to forgive and to love, and to resemble Jesus.” 
Giving an example of Christ’s unity and Holiness at work, Pope Francis recounted a story he had heard about an elderly woman who, all her life worked for her parish. She was a women who never gossiped, never spoke ill of anyone and always had a smile on her face. This is the kind of woman, said the Pope that could be “canonized tomorrow”. This, the Holy Father noted, is the holiness of the Church – “to recognize the image of God in one another”.

Concluding his Catechesis, the Holy Father asked that we all examine our consciences and look for forgiveness “for the times when we have given rise to division or misunderstanding in our communities and may our relationships mirror more beautifully and joyfully the unity of Jesus and the Father.”

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Archbishop Becciu's Letter

The latest nod of the Vatican to the Neocatechumenal Way
Just four months ago

Here is our translation of a letter sent by Archbishop Angelo Becciu, Substitute of the Secretariat of State, to Francisco (Kiko) Argüello, initiator of Neocatechumenal Way. Bold is ours.

SECRETARIAT OF STATE
FIRST SECTION                           GENERAL AFFAIRS
        N.40.535
From the Vatican, April 3rd, 2014


Most Esteemed Sir
Sig. Francisco ARGÜELLO
Via di Porta Angelica,15
00193 ROMA

Most Esteemed Sir,

With a respectful letter of the past March 15th, you expressed to the Holy Father your grave apprehension because some people interpreted in a negative way towards the Neocatechumenal Way, a quote from the discourse of the past February1st where His Holiness said that, at times, it would be better to renounce to live in all its details what the itinerary of the Way would demand to ensure unity among the brethren who form the one ecclesial community.
I have to assure You that Pope Francis has considered carefully what you explained and wishes to confirm, as he has already expressed in the context of the Audience and of His Speech on February1stHis paternal closeness and his loving encouragement to You and to all adherents to the Way.
The Holy Father does well know the evangelizing dynamism of the Neocatechumenal Way, the experience of authentic conversion of life of so very many faithful, and the fruits of good generated thanks to the presence of the communities all over the world. His Holiness is convinced that the words above mentioned, which aimed to underline the need to safeguard the precious good of ecclesial communion, do not lend themselves to misunderstandings, above all because they are valid for any form of Christian life.


Such words do not in any way modify the Statutes, rather they confirm them: as far as it pertains to the celebrations of the Paschal Vigil and the Sunday Eucharist, mentioned by you, articles 12 and 13, read in their entirety, constitute therefore the legislative charter of reference.
As the Paschal Solemnities approach, Pope Francis assures His closeness and His memory in the Lord and, while he asks to persevere in prayer for His universal ministry, He sends from His heart to You, to the international Team and to all the adherents to the Neocatechumenal Way, His Apostolic Blessing.
With feelings of profound esteem and a heartfelt greeting in the Lord.

                                                    

We are speaking of the highest authority of the Vatican : The Secretariat of State is the oldest dicastery in the Roman Curia, the government of the Roman Catholic Church. It is headed by the Cardinal Secretary of State and performs all the political and diplomatic functions of Vatican City and the Holy See. The Secretariat is divided into two sections, the Section for General Affairs and the Section for Relations with States, known as the First Section and Second Section, respectively. Taken from Wikipedia

The Flip Side Of Negativity

 
The following was written by Dr. Rick Eusebio.  The title was changed.  It is not the same title as in the Pacific Daily News.  Also, the last two paragraphs were taken out due to updated information.     


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------




                                           The Flip Side of Negativity
 
Fantastic! Thank you, Tim for maintaining the neocatechumenal way in the
forefront of the media. However, let me dispel some of your views.
 
First, be aware of Mr. Rohr's intention of focusing on negativity, it is one of the best ways to prevent someone from drinking a nearly full glass instead of focusing on the fact that it is NOT full.
 
You quote one bishop from the Philippines but you failed to mention the 30 cardinals and 70 bishops and archbishops who have opened a Redemptoris Mater Seminary and the thousands of bishops who have neocatechumenal way communities throughout the world. There are now approximately 2000 seminarians and 1800 graduates. Since the formation of the Redemptoris Mater Seminaries, three seminarians have gone on to eventually become bishops in Brazil, Peru and Miami.
 
Just last April, the substitute Secretary of State of Pope Francis, Archbishop Angelo Becciu, in his letter written in the name of the Pope responding to someone who had interpreted the words of Pope Francis to the mission families in Rome in a negative way, said: “The Holy Father does well know the evangelizing dynamism of the Neocatechumenal Way, the experience of authentic conversion of life of so very many faithful, and the fruits of good generated thanks to the presence of the communities all over the world.”
 
Archbishop Becciu also wrote that the pope confirmed the Statutes of the Way, as it pertains to the Paschal vigil and the Sunday Eucharist. If Mr. Rohr thinks that the Neosare not following Rome’s instructions, he should ask cardinal Cañizares, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship.
 
These leaders beginning with Pope Paul VI,  Saint John Paul II and Benedict XVI have been instrumental in promulgating and maintaining the very existence of the Way as it exists today. The same Pope Benedict XVI who rekindled the Latin mass was the person who introduced the neocatechumenal way in Germany, writing to two priest friends in Munich, when he was still a professor before becoming pope. Once pope, he recommended to open a Redemptoris Mater Seminary especially to many bishops in northern Europe. Not only has Pope Benedict XVI approved the definitive statutes in 2008, but in 2011 he has approved the content of all the catechesis (the 13 volumes, which were read page by page and praised and ratified) and in 2012 the celebrations and rites of the itinerary of the way.

True, the bishops in Japan preferred not to have the neocatechumenal way in Japan and eliminate the Redemptoris Mater Seminary of Takamatsu. In doing this they chose their own way, despite papal recommendations; the answer of Pope Benedict was not to close the seminary but to transplant the Redemptoris Mater seminary for Japan to......Romehis home diocese, where it has been preparing priests for Japan!! One of these seminarians is from Tamuning.

Is this the leadership you are referring to? If the leadership of the Neocatechumenal Way begins with the Pope, how can that be a real problem? You claim to have a problem with only 1% of the Way. No , I believe you have a problem with 99% of the Way.

R.B. Eusebio, M.D., FACS, is a resident of Sinajana.

 

 




Tuesday, August 26, 2014

The Diversity In The Catholic Church


An anonymous poster made an excellent comment under my last post found here.  The poster made an excellent point.  There is much diversity in the Catholic Church, but all are one in Christ Jesus.  Despite the variety and diversity found in the Body of Christ, all recognize that one same Holy Spirit. The poster also ask a very important question in the end.   

 
There is no such thing as Kiko teachings or Kiko-catechism. Everything that Kiko has preached has been approved by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. In particular, the tidbits that Mr. Rohr likes to quote come from the first book approved. This book was approved by Cardinal Raztinger himself when he was Prefect of the Congregation, and everything in it is referenced with the Catechism of the Catholic Church. What Kiko says IS Catholic.

The Neocatechumenal Way is a tool for evangelization, and the Archbishop is using this tool. Maybe some do not like HIS style. but then that's a personal problem not a doctrinal one. As many have already said, the NCW is not for everyone! not everyone is comfortable with the style of Opus Dei but it IS Catholic: not everyone is comfortable with the style of the NCW, but the difference in style does not prevent collaboration and friendship between the two. The problem is not the style in which we live our Faith, it is the spirit. Oratorian priests and the Jesuits are externally completely different, yet St. Philip Neri and St. Ignatius Loyola were great friends because they had the same spirit. Don Giussani and Kiko had a great relationship, yet Communion and Liberation and the NCW are completely different. It speaks to the real catholicity of the Church that it allows for such variety.

If you do not like the NCW style, what is preventing you from collaboration and friendship like so many others in the world?
 

Monday, August 25, 2014

Conscience And Virtue


THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH (50pts) ~ Pt.29: Conscience & Virtue


http://youtu.be/l8hdkvxEeOQ


To ensure that we are not following our malformed conscience, we rely on the truth of Church teaching.  According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church: 

CCC 1269   Having become a member of the Church, the person baptized belongs no longer to himself, but to him who died and rose for us. From now on, he is called to be subject to others, to serve them in the communion of the Church, and to "obey and submit" to the Church's leaders, holding them in respect and affection. Just as Baptism is the source of responsibilities and duties, the baptized person also enjoys rights within the Church: to receive the sacraments, to be nourished with the Word of God and to be sustained by the other spiritual helps of the Church.

Sunday, August 24, 2014

A Video On The Virtue Of Obedience



Matthew 21:28-31 "What do you think?  There was a man who had two sons.  He went to the first and said, 'Son, go and work today in the vineyard.'  "'I will not,' he answered, but later he changed his mind and went.  "Then the father went to the other son and said the same thing.  He answered, 'I will, sir,' but he did not go.  "Which of the two did what the father wanted?" "The first," they answered.  Jesus said to them, "Truly I tell you, the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you."   

 

 

Saturday, August 23, 2014

What Sort Of Person?

 
I wrote in my blog that the last number of the U Matuma had to be reprinted because the financial review had to be updated. Tim Rohr addressed a series of questions on his blog.

What sort of a bishop would be "coming out" at all?   
I did not say that THE ARCHBISHOP WAS GOING TO COME OUT. THE INTERNAL REVIEW AT THE CEMETERIES AND CATHEDRAL IS GOING ON AND THEY ARE BOUND TO COME OUT because this is their work
 
         What sort of a bishop would be "coming out" with evidence of mismanagement in order to publicly incriminate one of his priests? 
      THE ARCHBISHOP DID NOT AND DOES NOT WANT TO INCRIMINATE ANYBODY. THE ARCHBISHOP WENT TO THE RECTOR OF THE CATHEDRAL OFFERING HIM A NEW APPOINTMENT AT ANOTHER PARISH OR A SABBATICAL, AS MONSIGNOR HIMSELF HAD ASKED BEFORE
 
         What sort of a bishop takes internal problems public without a single attempt to address those problems with the privacy that charity demands?
     THE ARCHBISHOP TRIED TO ASSESS THESE PROBLEMS SINCE 2005, WHEN THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CATHEDRAL VEHEMENTLY REFUSED TO SUBJECT ITSELF TO AN AUDIT. IN THE SUBSEQUENT YEARS THE ARCHBISHOP TRIED OVER AND OVER TO ADDRESS THESE PROBLEMS WITHOUT RESULTS. 
 
    CHARITY IS BASED ON TRUTH AND JUSTICE.
 
     OTHERS WENT TO THE PRESS NOT ACCEPTING WHAT WAS AT THAT STAGE A SIMPLE CHANGE OF APPOINTMENT. AFTER THE THING WENT PUBLIC, THE ARCHBISHOP HAD THE DUTY TO INFORM THE PEOPLE OF WHAT IS REALLY GOING ON.
 
   What sort of a bishop persistently goes to the media (once to the secular media and twice now to the U Matuna) about a problem with a priest that even the manager of the smallest company would not even think of doing? 
THE ARCHBISHOP NEVER WENT TO THE MEDIA, YOU WENT TO THE MEDIA WITH LIES AND CALUMNIES AND INSULTS.  THE ARCHBISHOP HAS THE DUTY TO ADMINISTER WELL THE GOODS OF THE ARCHDIOCESE WHICH BELONG TO THE FAITHFUL. 
 
         What sort of a bishop goes public with documentation that he won't even show to the priest he is using the documentation against? 
      THE REPORT OF DELOITTE AND TOUCHE, DOCUMENTING THE PROBLEMS, HAD BEEN PRESENTED TO THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE CATHEDRAL AND CEMETERIES BEFORE THE VISIT OF THE ARCHBISHOP: SO MUCH SO, THAT A TEAM WAS ASSEMBLED AT CATHEDRAL AND CEMETERIES TO CORRECT THE VERY RECOMMENDATIONS OF THAT REPORT.

      THE REPORT OF DELOITTE SAYS THAT THE CEMETERY MADE AN AUDIT IMPOSSIBLE. THE ASSESMENT THAT THESE ENTITIES ARE INAUDITABLE, HAS VERY SERIOUS FINANCIAL AND CANONICAL CONSEQUENCES WHICH HAVE TO BE DEALT WITH.

      THERE WAS NO OTHER DOCUMENT TO BE PRODUCED, EXCEPT WHAT WILL COME OUT IN THE FUTURE THROUGH THE INTERNAL REVIEW.
 
              What sort of a company manager would not want to handle his company's problems personally and internally, let alone an Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Church? 
      THE ARCHBISHOP TRIED TO SOLVE THE PROBLEMS AMICABLY MANY TIMES BUT SOMEONE ELSE CHOSE THE PUBLIC ARENA. ONCE THESE ISSUES BECAME PUBLIC AND WRONG INFORMATION WAS DISSEMINATED, THE ONLY VENUE WAS TRANSPARENCY. IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY, YOU ASKED FOR TRANSPARENCY ON YOUR BLOG MANY TIMES, ISN’T IT? NOW YOU ASK HIM NOT TO BE TRANSPARENT? 
     
         What sort of a father would prefer to smear his son in the press before trying to work things out with his son? 
     THE ARCHBISHOP DID NOT AND DOES NOT WANT TO SMEAR ANYBODY AND WANTED TO RESOLVE THIS MATTER PEACEFULLY AND WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF HIS AUTHORITY; YOU WENT TO THE PRESS TRYING TO SMEAR YOUR ARCHBISHOP.
 
         What sort of a bishop is this? 
      A CARING AND LOVING FATHER. 

LET ME ASK YOU SOME QUESTIONS

WHAT SORT OF PERSON WOULD OFFER A REWARD (!!!!!), TO THOSE WHO WOULD HELP HIM DISCOVER SOMEONE WHO IS NOT DOING ANYTHING ILLEGAL NOR IS SHE INSULTING ANYBODY? THESE ARE MAFIA’S METHODS! DO YOU WANT TO INTIMIDATE ME? DO YOU WANT TO ORGANIZE A BEATING OR A LYNCHING?

WHAT SORT OF A PERSON WOULD STRONGLY SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGE  A PETITION TO SEND AWAY A PRIEST IN GOOD STANDING?

WHAT SORT OF PERSON WOULD INSULT PEOPLE WITH EXPLETIVES IN A PUBLIC BLOG?

WHAT SORT OF A PERSON WOULD ACCUSE PEOPLE OF CRIMES, EVEN MONEY LAUNDERING, WITHOUT EVEN A SHRED OF EVIDENCE?

WHAT SORT OF A PERSON WOULD WISH HIS ARCHBISHOP TO GO TO HELL?

WHAT SORT OF A PERSON WOULD CALL HIS ARCHBISHOP EVIL INCARNATE?

WHAT SORT OF A PERSON WOULD WISH HIS ARCHBISHOP SICK OR DEAD?

I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU WERE ON THE PAYROLL OF THE CATHEDRAL FOR THE LAST FEW YEARS, WHICH MAKES YOU THE DE FACTSPOKEPERSON OF THE CATHEDRAL ADMINISTRATION, BUT THOUGHT THAT YOU BELONGED ALSO TO THE CATHOLIC EVIDENCE GUILD OF GUAM, WHICH I RESPECT. THE  GUILD RESPECTS HIERARCHY AS DIVINELY INSTITUTED: FOR EXAMPLE, IN YOUR OWN GUILD’S BLOG, REGARDING QUESTIONS OF BIBLICAL INTERPRETATIONS, SOMEONE WROTE:
 
The same questions, as to which books and their meanings, arise today. Again, we have to consult the successors of the Apostles, the bishops of the Catholic Church.”
 
OBVIOUSLY, THIS SAME PRINCIPLE OF CONSULTING AND OBEYING BISHOPS, IF IT APPLIES TO THE MOST SACRED RESPONSIBILITY OF INTERPRETING THE WORD OF GOD, IT APPLIES A FORTIORI TO OTHER QUESTIONS ON WHICH BISHOPS SHOULD BE CONSULTED AND OBEYED.

INSTEAD YOU SEEM TO HAVE SHIFTED TO THE MENTALITY OF A FUNDAMENTALIST PROTESTANT SECT FOR WHOM THE AUTHORITY OF THE BISHOP IS NULL AND NON EXISTENT AND EVERY MATTER IS JUST SUBMITTED TO EVERYBODY’S OWN TASTES AND EVERYBODY’S OWN REASONING: THE DICTATORSHIP OF RELATIVISM. YOU CONTINUE TO GO TO THE MEDIA PUTTING YOURSELF ABOVE THE ARCHBISHOP.
COME ON, LET US STOP THIS NONSENSE, STOP PLAYING POLITICS OR WHATEVER IT IS, AND COME BACK TO YOUR SENSES.
 
BIG PROBLEMS ARE CLOUDING OUR FUTURE, LIKE THE LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA, WHICH WOULD BE A TRAGEDY FOR EVERY FAMILY, THE INTRODUCTION OF CASINOS AND THE INTRODUCTION OF LEGISLATION MEANT TO DESTROY THE VERY CONCEPT OF FAMILY AND HUMAN SEXUALITY.
 
I BELIEVE THAT YOU UNDERSTAND THE SERIOUSNESS OF THESE THREATS AND NEITHER I NOR THE COMMUNITIES CONSIDER YOU AN ENEMY.
 
WE HAVE TO UNITE TO FIGHT AGAINST THE DEVIL WHO WANTS TO DESTROY OUR FAMILIES AND ESPECIALLY OUR CHILDREN. THE HEALING OF THE ARCHDIOCESE MUST CONTINUE AND IT IS VERY IMPORTANT FOR EVERYBODY IN GUAM.  CONTINUING THROWING INSULTS AND THESE ATTACKS ON PERSONS WILL ONLY DAMAGE THE CHURCH AND WORSEN THE POSITION OF THOSE INVOLVED.

Friday, August 22, 2014

The Missionary Priest

Times have changed.  We are living in an age where the Catholic layman is easily led astray by the false prophets of the world who offer fame, wealth, and the comforts of the world, which often become idols.  Other false prophets come as wolves in sheep's clothing proclaiming the Word of God so that others might follow them.  

It is time for priests to get out of their cubicle office, to go out and evangelize so that they can lead the sheep to Christ.  For many years, the Jehovah Witnesses have come knocking at my door, but not one Catholic ever came by.  It is time for the Catholic people to start knocking at the doors of the Jehovah Witnesses and the fallen away Catholics who have left the Church.  These are the kinds of priests we need. We need missionary priests who are used to going door to door despite the rejections. 

The Archbishop Anthony Apuron saw in the Neocatechumenal Way these missionary priests who are willing to go out to evangelize and help bring back the fallen away Catholics who left the Church.  He saw in the Neocatechumenal Way an opportunity to help the youths of the island grow stronger in their Catholic faith. 

  

The Way Brings Intimacy with God


This appeared in Pacific Daily News dated August 21st. It was written by Kevin Camacho who is a resident in Houston, Texas. 


The Church has put her imprimatur on the Neocatechumenal Way.  As noted by previous submissions, the Church examined the authenticity of its charism, and the efficacy of its contribution to the Church's mission.  

Although it's not for everyone, it has saved many in Guam and throughout the world.  Ask any priest who has been formed in a Redemptoris Mater Seminary, any married couple who has learned what it means to live their marriage as a sacrament of salvation, any youth who has attended a World Youth Day Pilgrimage.  The Way brings people into an intimacy with God that is very hard to find in the current model of the parish.

  • Critics have displayed poor form.  Personal attacks detract from meaningful discourse.  Ad hominem attacks take away credibility.  The mode of criticism has been outright shameful and embarrassing, unbecoming of Christian leaders. 
  • Criticizig aspects of the Neocatechumenal Way.  Many have charged everything from blatant disobedience to the pope and violation of liturgical mandates.  Address concerns responsibly and maturely.  Stop with the the nonsensical clamor. 
  • True motive of dissenters.  What is the genuine motive of these critics  Do they think that this will encourage people to come back to Church  
  • Financial transparency.  People donate their time, talent and treasures to the Church.  Since Jesus said you cannot serve both God and money.  It is important we lives as if our true treasures is in heaven and not in our bank accounts.  Knowing where our money goes is important to maintain trust and confidence in the Church as the steward of our temporal goods.  Demanding financial accountability of our Archdiocese is not only a good thing, but it is imperative.
  • Zero-tolerancy policy is a good policy.  Protecting our children is our first priority.  Our archbishop has the responsibility to ensure children safety.  A zero-tolerance policy within our archdioecese is a great thing, but I don't think the problem people have concerns this policy. 
If you're unsure about something, look it up!  If we really want to know what the Neocatechumenal Way is all about, read what the Church fathers are saying, what the congregations responsible for safeguarding the Church against erroneous teaching are saying.  Let us stop the gossip and the vitriol.  Let us not give occasion for the evil one to sow discord among us! 

In the yea 2000, my pastor invited me to attend a series of catecheses.  It was during a time when my family was going through a difficult time.  We sought the Church in the midst of a crisis, we needed an answer in the face of our suffering.

As a young man, with a poor foundation in faith, I was lost in cloud of sin, despair and fear, questioning my life and the tragedies before me.  I needed more than a Sunday Mass, a lecture or pep talk.  Little by little, like a patient mother, the Way brought me into the bosom of the Church.  Introducing me to the Word of God, as more than a historical commentary or inspirational stories but as a living testament to the presence of the God among his people.  I heard of the covenant He makes with Abraham and his descendants. I, too am a descendant of Abraham, a Chamorro from Guam. 

Secondly, I heard the announcement of his saving power.  Every Christian must announce the Kerygma.  It is the duty of the Church to announce this victory of God valiantly, with joy and with unrelenting courage. 

I learned that the sacraments are not just mere ritual practices, but deeply reverent gifts where Christ is present and among us.

I thank God for having come to me through people who traveled far to announce a news.  God exists, he has not abandoned you, he loves you as you are, jungmental, arrogant, self-centered, afraid, a sinner.  He comes to offer you an alternative.  Be free from evil, let go of hate, learn to detest all that is impure.  Be clean, be forgiven. 

Our archbishop welcomed strangers to our island, just like Kepuha did, and it is in this invitation that a seed was planted.  As Guahan received the missionaries three and half centuries ago, the archbishop's "yes" bore fruit.  His yes has saved countless marriages, enabled many to be born who wouldn't have otherwise, has fostered many vocations to the priesthood and religious life.

Let us pray that the holy spirit enlighten our minds and hearts, and bring us to reconciliation with our brothers.

Kevin Camacho is a resident of Houston, Texas.

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

The Archbishop Responds


Five priests came forward, disagreeing with the Archbishop's public statement made on July 29, 2014.  These priests included Father Tom McGrath, Father Jeff San Nicolas, Father Mike Crisostomo, Father Patrick Castro, and Father Gus Gumataotao.  These five priests made up the Presbyteral Council and the College of Consultors. The public statement made by Archbishop Anthony Apuron was "I informed the Presbyteral Council, the College of Consultors about this situation, and they expressed their support." 

Apparently, the "this situation" was interpreted by these five priests as the firing of Monsignor James Benavente.  So, let us look closely at the Archbishop's entire letter, which was published in the Archdiocese website here.  This is what the letter stated in its context: 

Moreover, Deloitte & Touche has determined that the accounting practices, especially of the Catholic Cemeteries of Guam, Inc., are “inappropriate”.  Deloitte and Touche, listing the cases of inappropriate accounting, concluded that an audit is not possible until appropriate accounting has been reestablished in The Catholic Cemeteries of Guam, Inc.

I informed the Presbyteral Council, the College of Consultors and the Archdiocesan Finance Council about this situation, and they expressed their support.

When taken into context, we can now see that the"this situation" the Archbishop was referring to was the audit findings of Deloitte & Touche.  Taken out of context, it is easy to manipulate the readers into believing that the one sentence was referring to the firing of Monsignor James. 

According to the letter( which those five priests signed) no mention of removing Monsignor James was ever discussed in the July 25th meeting that took place between the Archbishop and the Presbyteral Council and the College of Consultors.  So, their letter matched what the Archbishop said to KUAM news.  The July 25th meeting was a discussion about the financial report and review just as the Archbishop indicated to KUAM.  He did not mention firing Monsignor James because he had not spoken to him yet. 

At the July 25th meeting, the Archbishop presented to them the financial report regarding some major problems with the Agana Cathedral-Basilica and Catholic-Basilica and Catholic Cemeteries of Guam Inc.  That was the main discussion in the meeting, and according to the Archbishop's letter and response, those five priests expressed their support to the Archbishop that some action must be done to correct those problems.  So, those five priests who made up the Presbyteral Council and the College of Consultors agreed with the Archbishop that there was indeed some financial mismanagement, and some action needs to be done to rectify the problem. 

The Archbishop's response is found in here.  According to KUAM news: 

Archbishop Anthony Apuron responds to a letter written by five Catholic priests calling on him to clarify statements he made in a July 29th press release regarding his reasons for the removal of Monsignor James Benavente. 

According to Father Adrian Cristobal Archbishop Anthony Apuron had and still has every intention of meeting with Fathers Tom McGrath, Jeff San Nicolas,  Mike Crisostomo, Patrick Castro and Gus Gumataotao. The five priests as we reported wrote a letter to the archbishop dated August 4th.  They were seeking clarification on his statement in his July 29th press release explaining his decision to remove Monsignor James Benavente from his positions as rector of the Archdiocese of Agana and director of the Catholic Cemeteries. The basis for his removal? Allegations of financial mismanagement. In the statement the archbishop wrote, "I informed the Presbyteral Council, the College of Consultors and the Archdiocesan Finance Council about this situation and they expressed their support."

The five priests are part of that Presbyteral Council and in their letter to the archbishop said they disagree with his statement and it's connection with his decision to remove Monsignor James. As we reported they referred to a meeting they had with the archbishop on July 25th during which he presented the financial situation of the Archdiocese of Agana. The priests state the archbishop made no mention of his intent to remove Monsignor James and that they were not consulted on the matter. They also stated they had no opportunity to discuss or raise objection to his removal and that at no point during these proceedings was a vote or question on the matter placed on the table for discussion to come to the conclusion of our "expressed support of your decision to remove him".

According to Father Cristobal however, he tells KUAM today that the archbishop explained in detail the serious situation that the archdiocese found itself to the Presybteral Council during that july 25th meeting and he told the council clearly that he was going to take action.

Cristobal added a number of the priests expressed their surprise and concern.  Many agreed that the archbishop needed to do something about the situation. The archbishop did not, and could not, tell them what specific action was going to be taken, because he had not yet spoken to the person/s involved. Father Adrian adds, "The Presbyteral Council is an advisory body and the archbishop is not required to seek their permission with regards to assignments of priests. What was written in the press release was correct." After receiving the letter of these five priests Father Adrian adds he had in mind to speak with them in a private meeting, and he still intends to speak with them. He could not do it earlier because he went to Korea for the pope's visit. Unfortunately this letter went public and even appeared on a blog somewhere.

 







Monday, August 18, 2014

My Own Catechesis On The Name "Roman Catholic"


An anonymous poster asked if the NCW calls itself "Catholic " or "Christian".  His comment can be found here.  This was an unusual question because a Catholic is a Christian.  I told the anonymous poster that a Catholic is a Christian.  He/she appeared upset about my response.  Then another anonymous poster (or probably the same one) stated the following:

Rome doesn't even call themselves Catholic Christians. It is Roman Catholic. so what is it?
 
This is false.  The Church has never called herself "Roman Catholic."  There is such thing as "Roman Missal"  or "Roman rite", but the term "Roman Catholic" is a modern name and was never used by the Church herself.  According to EWTN:  

The English-speaking bishops at the First Vatican Council in 1870, in fact, conducted a vigorous and successful campaign to insure that the term Roman Catholic was nowhere included in any of the Council's official documents about the Church herself, and the term was not included. 

Similarly, nowhere in the 16 documents of the Second Vatican Council will you find the term Roman Catholic. Pope Paul VI signed all the documents of the Second Vatican Council as "I, Paul. Bishop of the Catholic Church." Simply that -- Catholic Church. There are references to the Roman curia, the Roman missal, the Roman rite, etc., but when the adjective Roman is applied to the Church herself, it refers to the Diocese of Rome! 
EWTN on the name Roman Catholic

The entire Catholic Church includes the Latin-rite Church and the Eastern-rite Church.  EWTN goes on to explain further: 

So the proper name for the universal Church is not the Roman Catholic Church. Far from it. That term caught on mostly in English-speaking countries; it was promoted mostly by Anglicans, supporters of the "branch theory" of the Church, namely, that the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church of the creed was supposed to consist of three major branches, the Anglican, the Orthodox and the so-called Roman Catholic. It was to avoid that kind of interpretation that the English-speaking bishops at Vatican I succeeded in warning the Church away from ever using the term officially herself: It too easily could be misunderstood.

As for the name "Christian," the first people who were called "Christians" were the people of Antioch (See Acts 11:26) ,and yes, these people were Catholics.  So, the first Christians were Catholics. 

Today, the term Christian can refer to Catholics, Protestants, and Orthodox.  A Catholic is a Christian, but a Christian is not necessarily a Catholic.  What the anonymous poster should have asked was "Are you a Catholic or a Protestant"?

Apparently, those who are against the Way view us as Christians, thinking that the Catholic Church has never used the name "Christian", which is false.  The FIRST Christians were Catholics.  Another Anonymous poster said it better regarding the ignorance of some people in the jungle: 

12:25 pm is a good example of why some catholics on island believe the Jungle noise. For some reason, they  separate us as Christian, but they are also Christian. Of course they criticize the Way for supposedly dividing the Church when those who cannot even acknowledge that they are Christian to begin with have already divided themselves from the Church.