It's not about supporting Apuron, it is about fear of losing assets used by the schools or religious orders which belong to the Archdiocese of Agana. However, there is probably not much to worry about in that regard. The Archdiocese has insurance, and like other dioceses, the insurance company will probably pay the claims. This is going to hurt us all, but it's the price for looking the other way for decades.
Father Mike Crisostomo and Father Efren have also endorsed Bill 326, which would lift the statutes of limitations, by refusing to read Archbishop Hon's letter and not allowing their parishioners to sign the petition to oppose Bill 326. You can listen to Father Mike Crisostomo's interview in the following weblink below:
Today, we now know that the number of lawsuits filed exceeded the assets of the Archdiocese of Agana. Obviously, even the insurance of the Archdiocese could not cover the cost. According to The Guam Daily Post:
Archdiocesan Finance Council President Richard Untalan recently said in a press conference with Guam's media that the council had identified about $132 million in net book assets, which include churches, land and schools under the Archdiocese of Agana.
Of the 30 cases filed in local and federal courts, 27 were filed by plaintiffs represented by Attorney David Lujan. In those suits, the plaintiffs are pursuing "all general, special, exemplary and punitive damages, as allowed by law in a sum to be proven at trial and in an amount not less than ($5 million)."
With 27 cases seeking at least $5 million each, the total amount sought by Lujan's clients has reached a minimum of $135 million.
There are currently 62 lawsuits filed to this date. So far, the priests who have endorsed the bill have remained silent. So far, the jungle have completely ignored all discussions on these other lawsuits. Instead, all their discussions and energy are focused ONLY on Archbishop Apuron and the NCW. For example, the jungle posted a photograph of Archbishop Apuron together with some members of the clergy. Bishop Tomas Camacho and Father Antonio Cruz were also in that photo, but look at Tim's statement after he posted the photograph. He stated: "SMH. Apuron, what an embarrassment."
Again, the focus is on and has always been on Archbishop Apuron. Why is the jungle avoiding the discussion of the other lawsuits that were filed? As I said in my previous post, the jungle have NEVER said that Father Louis Brouillard was the worst sex offender in Guam's history, which is actually true. Rather, they point only to Archbishop Apuron as the most evil despite the fact it was not yet determined whether he is guilty or not guilty in the canonical trial.
To date, there are now 62 lawsuits filed against the Archdiocese. These lawsuits exceeded the assets of the Archdiocese. Not even the insurance of the Archdiocese can cover the cost as Tim Rohr claimed in August 29, 2016. In other words, the Catholics on Guam will no longer have anything. You will not even have a building and a consecrated altar.
In 2014, I asked on this blog at what cost was the jungle willing to go to remove Archbishop Apuron? Apparantely, it is at the cost of everything. So much so that they focus only on Archbishop Apuron and the NCW and avoid discussing the impact of the other lawsuits.
ReplyDeleteDiana has a valid point in this article.
ReplyDeleteI find too much Focus on Archbishop Apuron.and not on Bishop Camacho.
Bishop Camacho may have only two victims Archbishop Apurin 4 victims. But I dont see focus on Bishop Camacho. And this fr. Louis has so many victims bit he does not get hardly any attention. Infact i am getting angry media reporting is now bery inbalanced.
ReplyDeleteThankyou Diana for the points you have raised in this article. I find your reporting is now more balanced. This story is not only Archbishop Apuron yet he becomes focus of the story. We now need more balanced reporting on issues.
ReplyDeleteI now see your camp has some positive things to say also that support my thinking. Thankyou Diana for this article.
I can also tell you the results of the trial. Archbishop Apuron will be found inclusive and he will retire. He will not be defrocked.
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous at 11:43 am,
DeletePeople can make speculations, but no one can know for certain the result of the canonical trial until it is over. The results will be made public.
Diana, the results of canonical trials are usually not made public.
DeleteDear Anonymous at 12:20 pm,
DeleteI apologize. I meant the decision of the judges in the canonical trial will be made public.
Considering the number of lawsuits, defrocking AB Apuron will not even save the Archdiocese. There will be nothing left to save.
ReplyDelete
ReplyDeleteMore balanced approach now needed. Defrocking is not the answer to problems.
Photo on social media of our Clergy is posted on other webpages.References are made to only Archbishop Anthony Apuron of Guam. Archbishop Apuron unfairly targeted . References made to " serial child molester" of which he is not. Fr.Louis self confessed molester. He could be termed "serial child molester by a psychologist. This does not apply to Archbishop Anthony Apuron.Bias reporting of those posting.
ReplyDeleteand Rorh also refers to Former Fr. JA San San Agustin as "Inappropriate contact with a minor"... he needs to take a look at the accusations against this guy again............he refused to publish the original list submitted because it contains names of priests that have not been publicly accused. After adding his biased reference to each, he might as well publish its entirety.
DeleteWhere's the press on Fr. Luis B.? Their agenda is way beyond obvious.
ReplyDeleteDiana, unless the people of Guam are ready to hand over the patrimony of their faith to contingency lawyers, I urge you and your readers to read an article entitled "Due Process for Accused Priests" by Father Gordon MacRae published by The Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights. I will try to post a link to it at the end of this comment. This is about much more than healing abuse. It's about using the abuse scandal, and the pain of true survivors, for a selfish agenda to drive the Catholic Church from the Public Square. Please share this link: http://www.catholicleague.org/due-process-for-accused-priests/
ReplyDeleteDear Ryan,
DeleteThank you for the link. I will take a look at it.
We need now to inactivate bill 326.
ReplyDeleteWe were told only four victims not 65 victims.
Suggest we start a petition to ban 326.
We were told 326 will chase out Apuron.
326 lost us money. change 326..
Dear anon, where are you living? You cannot undo a law. It is written. Only a higher authority can undo it, like the Supreme Court. Are you willing to petition for constitutional scrutiny?
DeleteTim Rohr, Bob Klitzkie, Dave Sablan, Frank Blas, Frank Aguon, BJ Cruz, Eddie Calvo acted in concert to defraud the church from its assets, based on potentially justified or unjustified claims. These people are like the famous Trojan horse, disguising themselves as Catholics, but in fact sneaking their supervisor, the powerful anti-Catholic league, the SNAP, into the island. Now, thanks to these Trojan horsemen, SNAP is in a most powerful position to take control of the affairs of the Catholic church on Guam by a monetary leash.
Tim Rohr, Bob Klitzkie, Dave Sablan, Frank Blas, Frank Aguon, BJ Cruz, Eddie Calvo acted in concert for a clear purpose: money. Why was is so important for the governor to sign the bill into law without constitutional scrutiny? I tell you why. Because of the money push. Honestly, neither you or I can do anything about it. They have the power and now they claim the glory, as well, for themselves.
Oh I thought we could change law of 326 by gathering names. I was told by promoting 326 Apuron would retire early for Monsignor James to be made Arcbishop. Never happened. So best to go back change 326. It costing church so much money.
ReplyDeleteDiana do you honestly think that all these cases will go to court? Do honestly think that David Lujan is willing to put in all the man hours needed to prove the allegations? I'm sure that he's aware that there are some bogus claims among his clients. David Lujan will probably agree to settle most of his cases (if not all of them) out of court. It would just take too much time to take them through the process.
ReplyDeleteEven though most of the lawsuits are for millions and millions of dollars everyone knows that lawyers usually have their clients sue for a huge amount just so that they can get a small part of their original amount. If they ask for a small amount they would just get a few dollars. By asking for millions they will get several thousands of dollars. Nobody ever gets what they ask for in court. They only get a fraction.
As much as you would like to think that Tim Rohr, Bob Klitzke and others will bankrupt the archdiocese it just won't happen. There will be less money to go around that's for sure. And with NCW presbyters like Louis Camacho going AWOL the archdiocese won't have to pay them anymore. (Harold is AWOL so maybe his pal Edivaldo will join him.)
But the bottom line is that even if the archdiocese declares bankruptcy we will be left with a smaller church, cleansed of the filth of sexual abuse from the top down. We might only end up with a handful of priests who are not accused. They will work hard and the people will support them. It has been pointed out that Guam came through World War II with only a few priests. Many sacrifices had to be made to rebuild the Church physically. Most of the churches had been destroyed by bombs and had to be rebuilt from the ground up.
Many sacrifices will have to be made to rebuild the Church spiritually. We might not have as many Masses as we now have daily and on weekends. Priests won't have the luxury of having their days off anymore. But that sacrifice will help them to be even holier than they are now.
Remember: As bad as things look today, "We know that in everything God works for good with those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose." God will bring much good from all these trials that the archdiocese is going through.
Dear Anonymous at 1:09 pm,
DeleteFirst of all, David Lyman is a lawyer. It is his job to go to court. He has also admitted that he is in it for the money. In addition, he has also publicly announced to bring a lawsuit against the Vatican. And of course, the Vatican can be taken for billions of dollars rather than millions.
The 65 lawsuits already overexceeded the assets of the church, and the lawyers are not concern about that. After all the assets of the Archdiocese are taken, do you honestly think we can rebuilt the parishes and schools we lost? Bear in mind that we live on a small island with very little to no available land. Land is scarce on a small island.
Wake up and smell the coffee Diana. Do you honestly expect the lawyers to be concerned about how the demands in the lawsuits exceed the assets of the Church?
DeletePUS the Archdiocese of Agana can file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy PROTECTION as many other dioceses/archdiocese have done. https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/montana/articles/2017-03-31/diocese-filing-for-bankruptcy-to-settle-sex-abuse-claims
If the Archdiocese files for Chapter 11 protection the assets will NOT be taken. You are always criticizing others for not doing their research. Why don't you do YOUR research Diana??
Dear Anonymous at 3:14 pm,
DeleteAccording to the following article, "What happens when a church files for bankruptcy" you missed this part:
"But here's the disadvantage for the archdiocese: If the bankruptcy court decides the church owes the alleged victims a large sum of money, it is going to be obliged to pay them as typical Chapter 11 "creditors" and not necessarily on its own terms. The church would get the opportunity to put forward an initial payment plan, but if the proposed settlement isn't acceptable to the victims, the bankruptcy court could go with a payment plan much less advantageous to the church.
What money would the archdiocese use to pay off its "creditors"? In a typical Chapter 11 reorganization procedure, a business might cut back on its less productive or cost-efficient operations to increase its cash flow. But it's hard to apply concepts like productivity to a religious entity, and since donations have declined dramatically in the wake of the scandal, the archdiocese would probably have a rough time paying off its creditors through income alone. The church might have to liquidate some of its assets."
http://www.slate.com/articles/news_and_politics/explainer/2002/12/what_happens_when_a_church_goes_bankrupt.html
Boston DID sell off many of their parishes and they are a much bigger Archdiocese than Guam.
Anon 3:14pm: The target is and has always been to take down RMS. Wake up and smell the roses.
DeleteAnd even if you don't believe that, think about this...sexual abuse is a terrible crime. No one deserves to be abused. No deserves to be a victim. But what is even worse is taking advantage of the suffering of a victim to create even more victims. Do innocent people in the church and the lost sheep of God's flock deserve the loss of their church and fewer masses?
People may have had to rebuild a church because it was bombed in WWII and be fine with it, but we aren't talking about outside forces beyond our control, we are talking about our own people DESTROYING it, bombing it from within! Anon, who else do you think will become a victim and leave the church by the choice to wilfully accept the destruction of the very grounds and services that serve as the meeting point and conduit which unites and brings people together? Tell me, who do you think will be the additional victims because of this?
Dear anon, Guam is the only place on earth where there are several Catholic church buildings in a one mile radius. There are over 20 parishes serving a city size population, most of whose don't even attend Sunday masses. This is unnecessary luxury. Perhaps, 3 parishes in the Northern region (Yigo, Dededo), 7 in the Central and 5 in the Southern (including Yona, Santa Rita and Agat) would suffice.
DeleteThis is as few as 15 parishes with one or two priests in each, deacon and clerical staff. No more is needed.
The Archdiocese has a lot of room for consolidating the parishes into a less number of Catholic centers, thus saving a lot of resources and money to pay off the lawyers, court fee and the victims.
yeah smell the roses didn't hear the news conference two weeks ago byrnes doesn't care about getting vocations to the priesthood hes only cares about the bureacratic system which is just about the church buildings and when he was asked that question he said that doesn't touch the churches and what doesn't touch the church building the rms
DeleteDear God is one,
DeleteArchbishop Byrnes never said that he does not care about getting vocations to the priesthood. The RMS property is not exempt from being sold especially now that the Deed restriction has been rescinded. The deed restriction was placed there by Archbishop Apuron because there were some people who wanted to sell the property to pay the debts of the Archdiocese.
Archbishop Byrnes is now surrounded by these same people. To them, selling RMS is the better choice. However, as someone pointed out.....Guam has too many parishes. It is possible to consolidate parishes.
Dear Anonymous @ 9:03 AM,
DeleteYou wrote "Guam is the only place on earth where there are several Catholic church buildings in a one mile radius" so I guess you're not familiar with Malta where Fr. Pius is from. It's smaller than the island of Guam but has many more churches. At 209 square miles Guam has about 28 churches while at 122 square miles Malta has 313 churches!
From Wikipedia:
"In the small island state of Malta, the church or chapel is a common feature of the landscape. Many churches in Malta dominate the skyline, and the domes and steeples can usually be seen from across the island. One can usually find the centre of a town or village by driving towards the parish church, although many towns and village cores feature two or more churches and chapels.
On the islands of Malta and Gozo, which are two separate dioceses, there are a total of 359 churches (313 in Malta and 46 in Gozo). Of these, 78 are parishes (63 in Malta and 15 in Gozo) and six are national parishes. This means that there is a 'church density' of slightly more than one church per square kilometer. In Malta, every locality has its parish church, apart from two or three small localities. There are also localities that have more than one parish church, like Sliema and Birkirkara, which have four parishes each. The list below lists most of the churches in Malta, Gozo and Comino, starting from the cathedrals, minor basilicas, parish churches and churches/chapels."
There is a list that follows.
I do like your idea. But I just wanted you to know that your claim of Guam being the only place on earth where there are several Catholic church buildings in a one mile radius was wrong.
This one exception is only to confirm the rule.
DeleteIf RMS is sold to pay victims so be it. They are VICTIMS. Justice. Pay up for lack of protections of our kids.
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous at 7:52 pm,
DeleteThe selling of RMS is still not going to cover the entire cost of the lawsuits. Do the math.
The RMS place is too big for a seminary. For cost sharing purposes, part of the complex should be leased/ rented out for other function like guest house, care center for the elderly, tourism, etc. the full utilization is a must! The archdiocese cannot afford to maintain a huge almost empty property which is only partially utilized.
DeleteSelling RMS won't cover the entire cost of the lawsuits but it will help to mitigate the cost.
DeleteThe guys living there will just have to move to less luxurious quarters. Maybe NCW communities can "adopt" them and identify homes they can move into.
Who knows? Maybe even non-NCW families might be willing to "adopt" a seminarian from RMS.
Hey archbishop Byrnes don't want to investigate if these allegations are true because if they are not true then stop saying it's justice even though one priest said he did it but some of the people might be telling a lie and it needs investigating to talk about justice it's not just about the victims even the person who even did it needs the truth he even needs mercy not just the victim
DeleteDear God is one,
DeleteArchbishop Byrnes can investigate the priest who is being accused of sexual abuse. But in all fairness to Archbishop Byrnes, who is He supposed to investigate?
Bishop Tomas can only be investigated by the Vatican. Father Broulliard already confessed his guilt so he does not need to be investigated. Joe San Agustin is no longer a priest. Raymond Cepeda has already been found guilty and defrocked by Archbishop Apuron. The others are either dead or off-island.
"The others are either dead or off-island." Or have not yet been publicly identified and accused. Maybe like Joe San Agustin, just conveniently hushed up since these priests are the favorites of the Jungle. Only a matter of time.
DeleteDear Anonymous at 12:17pm
DeleteSpeaking of favorite priests of the jungle, what ever became of the assignment of Father Mike Crisosotomo to Our Lady of Lourdes parish? Kinda makes you wonder about the deafening silence of the jungle watch.
Father Mike declined to accept OLL parish due to health concerns.
ReplyDeleteToto is a smaller parish ideal for semi retired priest.
Dear Anonymous at 12:52 pm and Anonymous at 12:32,
DeleteActually, according to Tim Rohr, Father Mike Crisostomo was accused of sexual abuse by someone. According to Tim, the accusation was a rumor that has been going around for years. Tim Rohr was the one who brought that accusation up publicly on radio, and he blamed Archbishop Hon for it. You can listen to that in the weblink below:
http://www.pacificnewscenter.com/pnc-k57-interviews/10978
Tim Rohr is fuming because his buddies at the Financial Council were kicked out when they were caught with their hands in the cookie jar by Deloitte and Touche. He clearly has a bully personality, but it is his wounded pride what has blinded his reason; all he want is revenge and to humiliate those responsible for his lucrative connection that is no more. That is why he is dead on focused on character assassinating Apuron and the NCW, who were the ones to expose his dirty deeds. The hubris and the depth of hypocrisy that Tim exhibits, however, reflects a very disturbed mind or an altogether insane personality. No matter how many children he adopts, how many good deeds he has done in society, the collateral damage his pride and hate inflicts on innocent Guamanians, his hatred has him trapped in a hell of his own making... My deepest condolences goes to Guam and the Catholic Church.
ReplyDelete