Some of you have brought up prayers and fasting. It is a time for prayer. Pray deeply and sincerely with your heart. This is a time for prayers. Pray for the Archbishop, and pray for those who persecute us. Pray for those who hate us. Christ instructed us to love all people including those who hate us, and this is the life of a Christian. Pray the Lord's prayer slowly and with your all your soul, all your mind, and all your heart. Tis a time to pray. :-) Believe in the power of prayer.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
Every evening, I pray for our Catholic Church in Guam. I include all of us - the Archbishop, the Clergy, Tim Rohr, Jungle Watch, CCOG, LFM and the Way. I pray for healing and reconciliation. Continue to pray to St Michael, the Archangel, to cast into hell Satan and all his evil spirits. All of us were made in God's image. It is Satan who is the true enemy who prowls the world for the ruin of souls to try to separate us from the love of God.
In the end there is only one justice. Don't be surprised if your interpretation of justice is not God's justice. Man's justice?? what do we know about justice????
Anonymous May 24 at 9:37.....we should be praying for mercy...not justice....unless of course you consider yourself superior to the only one who judges.
For the record, a lawsuit is a two-edged sword. If everything is on the up and up, Tim would be wiped out, personally and financially. If there is something to hide--anything to hide--it would come out in the depositions and everything else. I know everyone says they want a suit to go forward, but I have a feeling that everyone will lose.
I think that the lawsuit will settle once and for all the ownership of the RMS property. Once that has been resolved, the defamation lawsuit would not be a problem. Tim has always been calling the Archbishop a "liar" when it comes to the RMS property.
As you wish, but just remember that Tim wishes it as well. That alone should be taken as a warning from him. He's not exactly known for subtlety nor tact, so I seriously doubt he's bluffing. But if that's the path we all want to take, so be it.
As much as we desire peace and reconciliation, we are too weak and fall into the traps of the evil one. God's plan is allowing this to happen. God knows our hearts, knows our calls for justice. I believe God is just waiting for all of us to dig a giant hole that none of us can climb out of. Only then, when we realize we can't fix things according to our will, God is waiting for us to cry to him for help. The loving and merciful Father that he is, God will turn this mess into a good.
@anon. 9:40. Diana who walks in the Way ask that we pray not only for the Archbishop, but also those who hate us. That is more Catholic and Christian than you realize.
Take away from Me the noise of your songs; I will not even listen to the sound of your harps. 24"But let justice roll down like waters And righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. Prayers for this divided community.
Please pardon the length of this post. Rather than write multiple posts, I've put it all into one. For the record, I'm not with NCW. And although I know Tim, I'm not part of JW either. That said,
There's a way bigger issue here, and we all know it: scandal. how in the world are we to handle this with young people, children, in public and Catholic schools? If any allegations hold up, what are we planning to say to them? Saying it's Tim's fault solves nothing, nor does saying it's the Archbishop's fault, or whomever. What do we as a Catholic island really intend to say about this?
I know it's tempting to go after Tim Rohr and a few others on this, but both sides need to remember that our enemies in this battle are not men. On the "Diana" side (pardon the expression), you defend the Archbishop as our pastor, which is commendable. On the other side, they defend the Church from a malignancy, which is commendable. The intention for both sides is good. That's what's so heartbreaking about all of this.
All this back and forth from both sides reminds me of the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican, where the Pharisee thanks God for not making him a sinner like that other man. I'm hearing people on each side call each other bad Catholics without seeing their own hypocrisy. It's nauseating.
For my own part, I've seen beautiful conversions in the lives of those walking in NCW, teens and manamko, and I've known very very solid NCW priests who were a blessing (as were Capuchins, diocesan, and others). I've also been told by others in the NCW that I'm just a Sunday Catholic who doesn't really know the love of Christ in my life, which is funny considering I've been a daily communicant for years and have never ever heard any Catholic ever say such a thing to another, me or anyone else. I know it was just a couple of people in separate incidents and is therefore not representative of NCW, but that--combined with confusion regarding the form of the Eucharistic celebration--make people like Tim very concerned the Church is becoming more and more Protestant.
And before we say he's the instrument of the evil one, remember that Tim was the Archbishop's defender in public, both the Archbishop's person as well as his authority, when no one else stood up for him in the media or with politicians. For years, remember. Also, many years ago, Tim wrote a column for the Pacific Voice called View from the Pew, and when he discussed things the Archbishop didn't like, he commanded Tim to stop writing that column and not to publish anything in media about the Church. And Tim obeyed until the Archbishop gave him liberty to write again. Tim wasn't bound to obey him morally or canonically, but he did all the same because he was a descendant of the Apostles.
Tim not the enemy of the Archbishop; he's angry at what he sees as terrible abuses. As to whether or not all this could have been handled better, I leave to the discussion of others.
I'm not here to debate, just encourage. Pray pray pray. Praying for Tim to leave won't solve the problem. Praying for Tim, for his family, is a better thing. Best of all: pray for the Archbishop AND Roy Quintinilla. Roy isn't suing the Archbishop, and I hope he doesn't. I'd be very surprised if a private meeting between the two of them wouldn't help find a resolution here (without media, of course).
Last thing and I'll stop: what if these allegation against the Archbishop are true? I'm not the only one who would be devastated. He is our pastor and a descendant of the Apostles, but he isn't the Church itself anymore than Peter or Judas were. Tim's actions aren't disobedience if he fights (what he sees as) a wolf in sheep's clothing.
But either way, until this is resolved with both justice and mercy, then Satan is laughing his head off. And I'm already sick of this.
You brought up some interesting points, and I thank you for your comment here. I cannot tell what the future will bring. I guess time will tell. I can also ask you this.....what if the allegations against the Archbishop are false?
I can only trust that God is still the Head of His Church and still guides her. And like you, I can only pray for everyone.
Thank you for letting me post and therefore I'll give as brief an answer as possible. If the Archbishop is innocent, and I sincerely hope so, then justice will be done, and this suffering on his part will be a testament to his faith and humility. In fact--especially if he is innocent, then bearing all with true charity (a heroic thing of the Holy Spirit, and certainly not human) would be the greatest affirmation of his Catholicity and love of Christ (not to mention quite the vindication of the NCW in its charism). If he's not innocent, though, then justice will be done, and the Church is free from the unfettered influence of a corruptor of children.
To be truthful, my bigger fear is that justice won't be done either way. Without real proof, the allegations can't be proven in a meaningful way. At the same time, the Archbishop can't prove he didn't (it's a point of logic: you can't prove a negative). The stories of priestly corruption of morals have been around for years, and I have refused to believe them about the Archbishop because they are just that--stories. Charity (not to mention simple decency) requires us to dismiss them without evidence. But with nothing to break the stalemate, I don't see the Church on Guam healing, just more name calling and what looks like selective obedience to the Church by certain parties on both sides.
Anyway, I'm bowing out of the discussion. I just wanted to give a non-partisan appeal to pray and indeed fast. The two parties here aren't enemies, just brothers who somehow get tangled up in who loves their Father more.
Remain open to the fact the allegations could be false. In this case those who made them would need to do prayer penance. In the same light should it become clear allegations are true than the accused should live a life of prayer penance. Respecting the accused at this time is a challenge. Let us await word from the church on this matter. We pray for the accused. We pray for the victim.
It is not like "remain open" to the possibility... It is like "one is innocent until proven guilty". Whatever happened to the constitutional rights of people?
And then, another one comes out about an alleged sexual abuse. What is wrong with is Archdiocese. I am new here in the island and this has been going on 40 plus years ago. Who is accountable for all this incidents? Why is the local church so quiet? Men and women of God speak out.
Every evening, I pray for our Catholic Church in Guam. I include all of us - the Archbishop, the Clergy, Tim Rohr, Jungle Watch, CCOG, LFM and the Way. I pray for healing and reconciliation. Continue to pray to St Michael, the Archangel, to cast into hell Satan and all his evil spirits. All of us were made in God's image. It is Satan who is the true enemy who prowls the world for the ruin of souls to try to separate us from the love of God.
ReplyDeletePraying for Justice Diana.
ReplyDeletePraying Rosary nightly for peace reconciliation in our fragmened community.
ReplyDeleteSister Gertrude.
In the end there is only one justice. Don't be surprised if your interpretation of justice is not God's justice. Man's justice?? what do we know about justice????
ReplyDeleteWell, you evidently know nothing about it
DeleteAnonymous May 24 at 9:37.....we should be praying for mercy...not justice....unless of course you consider yourself superior to the only one who judges.
DeleteHonestly I pray that the Archbishop will be vindicated by Tim Rhors ploy and dirty tactics.
ReplyDeleteVindicated goodness gracious.
DeleteHe needs to be thrown in prison for his violations.
Dear Anonymous at 6:46pm,
ReplyDeleteRomans 12:19
Beloved, do not look for revenge but leave room for the wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.”
James 2:13
For the judgment is merciless to one who has not shown mercy; mercy triumphs over judgment.
Jesus' judgment for our sins was mercy, taking our sins with him on the Cross.
ReplyDeleteMay our church unite together .
Allow us to see there is more that unites us than divides us.
ReplyDeleteAs a parent i discipline my children.
Archbishop please discipline unruly children of Guam's Jungle.
diana,
ReplyDeleteany updates from the chancery in suing these unruly children of Guam's Jungle.
thank you
Dear Anonymous at 10:49 pm,
DeleteI do not work in the chancery. It is best to pray for now.
For the record, a lawsuit is a two-edged sword. If everything is on the up and up, Tim would be wiped out, personally and financially. If there is something to hide--anything to hide--it would come out in the depositions and everything else. I know everyone says they want a suit to go forward, but I have a feeling that everyone will lose.
DeleteDear Anonymous at 3:45 pm,
DeleteI think that the lawsuit will settle once and for all the ownership of the RMS property. Once that has been resolved, the defamation lawsuit would not be a problem. Tim has always been calling the Archbishop a "liar" when it comes to the RMS property.
As you wish, but just remember that Tim wishes it as well. That alone should be taken as a warning from him. He's not exactly known for subtlety nor tact, so I seriously doubt he's bluffing. But if that's the path we all want to take, so be it.
DeleteAs much as we desire peace and reconciliation, we are too weak and fall into the traps of the evil one. God's plan is allowing this to happen. God knows our hearts, knows our calls for justice. I believe God is just waiting for all of us to dig a giant hole that none of us can climb out of. Only then, when we realize we can't fix things according to our will, God is waiting for us to cry to him for help. The loving and merciful Father that he is, God will turn this mess into a good.
ReplyDeletel'll Pray for TIM to leave are island, Just leave are people Alone.it's not his island,and take his lies with him.
ReplyDeletePray for the priests and deacons of Guam who have maliciously conspired to destroy the archbishop and the church. May god have mercy on them.
ReplyDeleteHow anyone can remain a neocat after everything we have seen, is beyond me. I pray you all give it up and come back to the Catholic Church.
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous at 9:40 am,
DeleteThe NCW is Catholic and we are still in the Catholic Church.
@anon. 9:40. Diana who walks in the Way ask that we pray not only for the Archbishop, but also those who hate us. That is more Catholic and Christian than you realize.
Delete"an itinerary of Catholic formation valid for our times" (from the NCW statutes). How more Catholic can you get? This comes from the Vatican.
DeleteTake away from Me the noise of your songs; I will not even listen to the sound of your harps. 24"But let justice roll down like waters And righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.
ReplyDeletePrayers for this divided community.
Please pardon the length of this post. Rather than write multiple posts, I've put it all into one. For the record, I'm not with NCW. And although I know Tim, I'm not part of JW either. That said,
ReplyDeleteThere's a way bigger issue here, and we all know it: scandal. how in the world are we to handle this with young people, children, in public and Catholic schools? If any allegations hold up, what are we planning to say to them? Saying it's Tim's fault solves nothing, nor does saying it's the Archbishop's fault, or whomever. What do we as a Catholic island really intend to say about this?
I know it's tempting to go after Tim Rohr and a few others on this, but both sides need to remember that our enemies in this battle are not men. On the "Diana" side (pardon the expression), you defend the Archbishop as our pastor, which is commendable. On the other side, they defend the Church from a malignancy, which is commendable. The intention for both sides is good. That's what's so heartbreaking about all of this.
All this back and forth from both sides reminds me of the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican, where the Pharisee thanks God for not making him a sinner like that other man. I'm hearing people on each side call each other bad Catholics without seeing their own hypocrisy. It's nauseating.
For my own part, I've seen beautiful conversions in the lives of those walking in NCW, teens and manamko, and I've known very very solid NCW priests who were a blessing (as were Capuchins, diocesan, and others). I've also been told by others in the NCW that I'm just a Sunday Catholic who doesn't really know the love of Christ in my life, which is funny considering I've been a daily communicant for years and have never ever heard any Catholic ever say such a thing to another, me or anyone else. I know it was just a couple of people in separate incidents and is therefore not representative of NCW, but that--combined with confusion regarding the form of the Eucharistic celebration--make people like Tim very concerned the Church is becoming more and more Protestant.
And before we say he's the instrument of the evil one, remember that Tim was the Archbishop's defender in public, both the Archbishop's person as well as his authority, when no one else stood up for him in the media or with politicians. For years, remember. Also, many years ago, Tim wrote a column for the Pacific Voice called View from the Pew, and when he discussed things the Archbishop didn't like, he commanded Tim to stop writing that column and not to publish anything in media about the Church. And Tim obeyed until the Archbishop gave him liberty to write again. Tim wasn't bound to obey him morally or canonically, but he did all the same because he was a descendant of the Apostles.
Tim not the enemy of the Archbishop; he's angry at what he sees as terrible abuses. As to whether or not all this could have been handled better, I leave to the discussion of others.
I'm not here to debate, just encourage. Pray pray pray. Praying for Tim to leave won't solve the problem. Praying for Tim, for his family, is a better thing. Best of all: pray for the Archbishop AND Roy Quintinilla. Roy isn't suing the Archbishop, and I hope he doesn't. I'd be very surprised if a private meeting between the two of them wouldn't help find a resolution here (without media, of course).
Last thing and I'll stop: what if these allegation against the Archbishop are true? I'm not the only one who would be devastated. He is our pastor and a descendant of the Apostles, but he isn't the Church itself anymore than Peter or Judas were. Tim's actions aren't disobedience if he fights (what he sees as) a wolf in sheep's clothing.
But either way, until this is resolved with both justice and mercy, then Satan is laughing his head off. And I'm already sick of this.
Dear Anonymous at 3:20 pm,
DeleteYou brought up some interesting points, and I thank you for your comment here. I cannot tell what the future will bring. I guess time will tell. I can also ask you this.....what if the allegations against the Archbishop are false?
I can only trust that God is still the Head of His Church and still guides her. And like you, I can only pray for everyone.
Thank you for letting me post and therefore I'll give as brief an answer as possible. If the Archbishop is innocent, and I sincerely hope so, then justice will be done, and this suffering on his part will be a testament to his faith and humility. In fact--especially if he is innocent, then bearing all with true charity (a heroic thing of the Holy Spirit, and certainly not human) would be the greatest affirmation of his Catholicity and love of Christ (not to mention quite the vindication of the NCW in its charism). If he's not innocent, though, then justice will be done, and the Church is free from the unfettered influence of a corruptor of children.
DeleteTo be truthful, my bigger fear is that justice won't be done either way. Without real proof, the allegations can't be proven in a meaningful way. At the same time, the Archbishop can't prove he didn't (it's a point of logic: you can't prove a negative). The stories of priestly corruption of morals have been around for years, and I have refused to believe them about the Archbishop because they are just that--stories. Charity (not to mention simple decency) requires us to dismiss them without evidence. But with nothing to break the stalemate, I don't see the Church on Guam healing, just more name calling and what looks like selective obedience to the Church by certain parties on both sides.
Anyway, I'm bowing out of the discussion. I just wanted to give a non-partisan appeal to pray and indeed fast. The two parties here aren't enemies, just brothers who somehow get tangled up in who loves their Father more.
Delete3.20pm. Impressed with the post.
Makes sense to me.
@3:20PM--
DeleteThank you for a very unbiased assessment....
"just brothers who somehow get tangled up in who loves their Father more."
Remain open to the fact the allegations could be false. In this case those who made them would need to do prayer penance.
ReplyDeleteIn the same light should it become clear allegations are true than the accused should live a life of prayer penance.
Respecting the accused at this time is a challenge. Let us await word from the church on this matter.
We pray for the accused.
We pray for the victim.
It is not like "remain open" to the possibility... It is like "one is innocent until proven guilty". Whatever happened to the constitutional rights of people?
DeleteAnd then, another one comes out about an alleged sexual abuse. What is wrong with is Archdiocese. I am new here in the island and this has been going on 40 plus years ago. Who is accountable for all this incidents? Why is the local church so quiet? Men and women of God speak out.
ReplyDelete