In KUAM news today, Jackie Terlaje is not backing down. The complaint against Monsignor James Benavente was already filed with the Guam Police Department and the Attorney General's Office, and she intends to pursue it. According to Jackie's Press Release, the vote was unanimous and there were no minutes approving $13,000 to give to Monsignor James for his anniversary dinner. In a written letter, dated 2016, the former board wrote that they knew about the money and had approved of it. However, there were no official minutes to show they approved it in 2014. According to Jackie's Press Release (the bold is mine):
Today, I address the statements of the Archdiocese of Agana accusing me of falsifying a certification of a Resolution, as the Secretary of the Board of Directors ("Board") of the Catholic Cemeteries of Guam, Inc. ("Catholic Cemeteries"), and renouncing the authority of the Board to make complaints of the misuse of funds entrusted to us by the Archbishop of Agana, Archbishop Anthony Apuron.
First, the Board unanimously authorized the Resolution dated September 30, 2016, and each Director specifically authorized me to execute the certification. Each Director must act in good conscience and speak the truth. I have not been notified by any Director of any objection nor any change of mind on the subject matter.
Second, I want to be abundantly clear, that I am not the attorney for the Catholic Cemeteries. I do not represent the Catholic Cemeteries in my legal capacity. I am merely a public servant who provides a community service to the non-profit corporation, and to which I serve as a Director of the Board, and as the Secretary.
Third, the Board is authorized to "manage and direct the affairs...operations...property and funds of the Corporation, "pursuant to Article III of its Bylaws. All records released on the Guam Police Department (GPD) and the Office of the Attorney General (AG) are property of the Catholic Cemeteries, and subject to the authority of the Board.
Fourth, as the Secretary of the Board, it is my responsibility to maintain the records of the Corporation. There are no corporate records or meeting minutes supporting the Archdiocese's statement that "The previous board of directors had approved the advancement of the funds and thus the advancement of funds was proper and authorized." As Director and Secretary, I respectfully disagree that the use of funds paid for the burial of the deceased may be used for a private celebration for the person benefit of any director, officer, or employee of the Catholic Cemeteries.
Fifth, I acknowledge receipt of the demand and threat of legal action by attorney David Lujan to immediately withdraw the complaint filed with GPD and AG. However, I will not unilaterally withdraw a statement authorized by the Board; the facts provided to GPD and the AG are the truth, and I am obliged as an officer of the Catholic Cemeteries to protect the funds entrusted to me by the deceased, and by the numerous Catholic families who have buried their loved ones with the Catholic Cemeteries.
finally, as a Catholic, I too am deeply saddened by the state of affairs in the Archdiocese, Fr. Jeff San Nicolas has graciously extended the olive branch and his apology. I have accepted his apology, and agree that we must find a way to seek the truth and conciliation for the Church that we all love. The Catholic Cemeteries Board have also extended to him an invitation to join us at our board meeting today to discuss further these issues, and to find an amicable solution.
We will wait until this board is removed and then we can ask for a thorough audit of the cemetery books.
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous at 7:08 pm,
DeleteIt is better to settle it in a secular court. Then we will know for certain whether Monsignor James is actually cleared or not.
Diana it costs money to settle in court. Do you think it wise to spend money money on this matter in court? Funds were re-paid. Is it not best to close this case and work towards healing our church? what ya say honey? Let's go for a glass wine .
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous at 9:16 pm,
DeleteThe truth needs to come out. And the only way I see for it to come out is through a secular court. Truth is the only thing that will heal.
At 9:16 PM: It seems to me that AB Hon and Father Jeff are contradicting what the board is saying without putting forth any proof that Monsignor in fact is innocent. With all of this he said she said, it's really hard to believe what is coming out of the church at this time, we need evidence proving anything anyone is claiming.
DeleteThe board has reported the crime to GPD and the AG's office and I'm going to guess that they provided evidence. Now it is AB Hon and Fr. Jeff's turn to provide proof that Monsignor James is innocent.
DCI
Agree Diana only way for truth to come out is through secular court. No Justice in the church so we turn to civil courts.
Deletewell said Diana. I have been teaching Freedom, Justice, Truth, democracy in our Church for years. Thankyou for promoting democratic theology ecclesiology on your blog.
ReplyDeleteShe is being totally Disobedient to Archbishop Hon. Why is she challenging him? This is not right. After 2 years. The grass needs to be cut in her back yard and I mean Pigo and others.
ReplyDeleteAtty. is within her rights to challenge Archbishop Hon. Next time Monsignor will loan himself $50,000 for vacation in Palm Springs. He loves money.
DeleteI heard Hon is removing the entire board? Why? Fr. Plus said to stay strong as the unsalted will fall soon.
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous at 11:36 pm,
DeleteReally? The entire board?? I guess he finally realized that it was an unanimous decision after all, contrary to what Father Jeff stated. The media reported that Father Jeff has extended an olive branch and an apology to Mrs. Terlaje. Did Archbishop Hon apologize too?
Mrs Terlaje is acting honestly out of concern for the finances. Fr.Jeff extending an olive branch because he Knows Monsignor James is in error loaning church money for a party for his rich friends. Archbishop Hon apologize to Mrs Terlaje.
DeleteActing honestly? What a joke. Let's see if Jackie can defend her honesty in court.
DeleteDear Anonymous at 7:22 am,
DeleteIt will be Monsignor James who will be on trial, not Mrs. Terlaje.
Jackie will still be placed on the stand of Monsignor Benevente ever went to trial. But I highly doubt he will. So nice try on the neo smearing part when the archdiocese has already CLEARED the Monsignor twice. Lol. Maybe the next trial will be to sue for false allegations.
DeleteGo get him Jackie! Yes:)
ReplyDeleteReally? Really Jackie? Is "truth and conciliation" what you had in mind when you went to the police? Is "truth and conciliation" what you had in mind when in 2014 you accused Msgr. James of unethical and even criminal activity in front of the presbyterial council? Did you EVER even think to "seek truth and conciliation" with the person you had a problem with?
ReplyDeleteNO
Dear Anonymous at 8:21 am,
DeleteI am not Jackie Terlaje, and I do not speak for her. However, here is my own opinion. I believe that what Mrs. Terlaje did was correct, considering that Archbishop Hon has not been listening to our side. Going to the police and the AG was the correct thing to do since it will bring out the truth. Only the truth can bring conciliation. Once the court decide, there will be no more arguments.
Seeking truth from Monsignor James is not the answer because he will naturally say he is not guilty. So it is best to allow the courts to decide that. If Monsignor James feels that he is not guilty of misuse of funds, he should have nothing to worry about. And the jungle does not need to be in such an uproar. However, if he is found to be guilty, he needs to apologize to the people of Guam.
Yeah, its a bit like a dispute over the ownership of property, and the production of erroneous Title documents. The right thing to do would be to get it into court and have the court sort it out, as naturally they would say that there wasn't a deliberate error and naturally they would say that ownership hasn't changed.
DeleteYes, it is much better for the courts to decide this rather than some backroom deal being done, because if it was all above board then they should have nothing to worry about, and the NCW would not need to be in such an uproar.
Now, why didn't that happen, Diana?
Are you a hypocrite by accident or by choice?
Benavente's comrades are all screaming and shrieking of horror out at the trash blog, because their favorite will have disfavor in Rome by reason of serious ethical misconduct. Lol.
DeleteDear Anonymous at 11:46 am,
DeleteThe Attorney General is affiliated with the court, and she already spoke. Her decision is final.
Talked to Pale Mike who said Pale Jeff apologized to Atty.Jackie for the actions of Monsignor James. Pale Mike reported air tickets for Cardinal Tagle to visit Guam cash required to pay. $13,000 petty cash for anniversary. All loaned paid. small administrative miss communication.
ReplyDeleteGeneral business practice is to maintain a small petty cash of $500.
Delete$13,000 for petty cash in a business is rare. Air tickets for business is a necessary expense to be recorded in accounting practices.
I see no problem in paying Cardinal's air ticket /hotel but thid does not come from petty cash. It is a recorded accounted expense.
Accounting practices are easy to follow to prevent these situations happening.
Atty. Terlaje supports accounting practices for funds under her responsibility.
My concern Diana is the fact this case could define Monsignor with a criminal financial record. Do you think this is fair. It is like saying Pastor of St.Anthony is a potential thief. Is this fair? He is a young priest. unfair to label him as corrupt. He may be corrupt but his corruption not on the scale as Archbishop Apuron's corruption.
ReplyDeleteLet's all go Hyatt have dinner get drunk resolve issues. kiss kiss we all be happy.
Dear Anonymous at 1:19 pm.
DeleteWell, put it this way...... If Monsignor James is guilty, he had two years to repent. Archbishop Apuron removed him from the cathedral but never reported him to GPD or the AG. Therefore, he had two years to think about it. Now that a criminal complaint has been filed, he will face trial just as Archbishop Apuron is facing trial.
My belief Diana we should avoid trials for all parties they cause only further division. To my understanding closed door meetings are the right way to avoid creating scandal in a trial. I believe Archbishop Anthony should not be on trial returned to administer Archdiocese. What good does a trial do? If you go this path half Archdiocese be on trial. we should unite accept olive branch of Fr.Jeff. He told us Jackie is on right of law gave an olive branch.
DeleteDear Diana, what did Jackie mean by Fr Jeff extending the olive branch and apologizing? What did he apologize for? Thank you
ReplyDeleteAnother eye opener. CCOG wanted Danny Q to resign from the Archdiocesan Financial Board. According to the press conference of today, obligingly Hon kicked him out. It is CCOG who commands at the hill. Hon and Jeff just follow subserviently and slavishly CCOG and Tim Rohr.
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous at 4:21 pm,
DeleteIf there is at least one good news about this...it is that Danny does not need to excuse himself from the Board of Directors at RMS when Archbishop Hon goes after RMS. It is clear that Archbishop Hon has hatred in his heart. He discriminated against Danny Quichocho.
Bogus Financial council taken over without blessing of Archbishop Anthony Archbishop of Guam. Archbishop Anthony is Archbishop of Agana Guam.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteplease remove last message sent wrong blog. Primrose Marcos.
People are seriously upset that Jackie is "going against" Archbishop Hon? Did we forget who went to the media when Archbishop Apuron was disobeyed? HIS PRIESTS!
ReplyDeleteWAKE UP PEOPLE!
Primrose Marcos you have no business in the way. your bones became dried up because you turned against community.
ReplyDeleteThis is exactly the sort of attitude that gives us reason to doubt the NCW. So, if someone was to leave the "community", even if they remain close to the Church , you would say that their "bones became dried up".
DeleteAs long as you believe this, we will oppose you.
Dear Anonymous at 10:40 am,
DeleteThe thing is....you only HEAR this from those who oppose the Way rather than members of the Way. The truth is.... members walking in the Way are told that their bones are dried up. Why? Because who among us walks like Christ? Who among us can walk on water?
You oppose us even when we tell you the truth. But where do you see us opposing you? Do you see us out in the street demonstrating against the Traditional Latin Catholics? Do you see us wanting to place a moratium on you?