Monday, February 26, 2018

Marriage Catechumenate?

The Neocatechumenal Way has an excellent record of saving marriages.  We often hear some of the brothers express how their marriage or the marriage of their parents were saved by Christ while walking in the Way.  Even "anti-Neo" websites such as those written by Sandro Magister admit that the Neocatechumenal Way has outstandingly emulated Christian marriages.  ,According to his article:
In reality, what most distinguishes the Way from other ecclesial movements and from the faithful as a whole is the centrality of the family in it, theorized and lived in perfect obedience to the magisterium of the Church of all times but in particular of the most recent popes, including that encyclical “Humanae Vitae” which is ignored and disobeyed by almost all Catholics with the general complicity of the clergy, but certainly not by the Neocatechumenals, in view of their generous fecundity.

It is no surprise, therefore, that in 2009 the pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family should have awarded Kiko, the founder of the Way, with a doctorate “honoris causa” precisely for his efforts in support of Christian marriage.
Many of the families in the Way are open to life; therefore, it is not surprising to find couples with six or more children.  Families pray together and spend time together.  In the Way, the couples are always seen as one individual. At the Synod, a "marriage catechumenate" was brought up several times.  Many bishops realize that the current marriage preparation is not enough.  According to the National Catholic Register:
“Marriage catechumenate” is not a technical term. The “catechumenate” is technically a period of formation in the Christian faith for those approaching baptism. 
But the concept of a post-baptismal catechumen experience of ongoing catechesis is a reality lived by Catholics who belong to the Neocatechumenal Way. 
“It has helped me live out my marriage in a Christian way,” said Andrew Malone, a married father of eight who is part of a “Neocat” community at St. Benedict Joseph Labre parish in Queens, N.Y. While the Neocatechumenal Way has no formal marriage-preparation program, its catechumen-like catechesis involves two key important elements: sound, ongoing formation in the faith and a supportive community at every step of a person’s journey deeper into the faith, so he or she does not get lost or discouraged. 
“It’s a lifetime apprenticeship,” said Malone, pointing out that many members in this context grow from “an infantile faith to a more mature faith that is trying to deal with all the difficulties of life.” 
 The Way is only one organization that has brought families together and has strengthened marriages.  It has also inspired vocations into the priesthood and religious life.  Men were inspired to enter the seminary to become priests, and  women were also inspired to enter the convent to become nuns.  Another remarkable thing in the Way are the mission families who have been inspired to evangelize as a family.  So, families in the Way stay together by praying together, spending time together, and even evangelizing together as a family.  

Image result for family
   

Thursday, February 22, 2018

Lenten Announcement

We received some words of encouragement and good news in the Lenten Announcement.  Enter this Lent season with hope for at the end will be joy and triumph (Easter).  Remember to fast, pray, and do almsgiving.  Rejoice in the persecution for it brings us closer to Christ. Pray for those who persecute you. 

Also, there are about 200 brothers and sisters from Guam who will be attending the 50th Anniversary Rome Pilgrimage in May 5th.  We will be meeting the Pope.  Many of the brothers and sisters in the new born community of Palau will also be there, and they are excited.  We are all excited and looking forward to meeting Pope Francis.   

Image result for Lenten 

Monday, February 19, 2018

Woman Completes International Team of NCW

This is old news because I had already published the information previously. Nevertheless, in light of some of the comments in the previous thread, it is important to get the point across that the NCW does not view women as inferior, but equal to men, with the same human dignity.  I am sure that many people in the NCW remembers Pat Cottman.  She is a very strong speaker.  The late Carmen Hernandez was also a very strong speaker.  Women were actually the first ones to spread the good news.  It was the women who went to the Apostles announcing that Christ was risen.  

Sunday, February 18, 2018

Responding to Clara

This post is in response to Clara who made the following comment: 
What dates did Pope John Paul II and Benedict XVI celebrate Mass with the Neocatechumenal Way? Are there any pictures, or Utube videos of these?
Thank you and God Bless.
Pope Benedict XVI was the one who introduced the Way into Germany when he was Cardinal Ratzinger.  Below are photos of him when he was still a Cardinal.  He presided over the Eucharist in the Neocatechumenal Way.


Card Ratzinger saying mass in a Neocatechumenal Way



  St. Pope John Paul II also presided over the Eucharist in the Neocatechumenal Way.  Below are photos of Pope John Paul II in celebrating the Eucharist with the Neocatechumenal Way.

John Paul II following the Neocatechumenal Way  Image result for Pope John Paul II and the Neocatechumenal Way

Thursday, February 15, 2018

Some Good News

The defamation lawsuit against Archbishop Apuron has been partially dismissed by Superior Court Judge Michael Bordallo.  Brothers and sisters, continue to pray for Archbishop Apuron.  We love you Archbishop Apuron.  Take care of yourself.  God bless you!   

According to KUAM news:
 "The Superior Court of Guam made a finding and it found that absolutely every person has the right of privilege of self-defense," explained Attorney Jacque Terlaje. "If someone accuses you of sex abuse, and in this context in a public forum, that every person has the right to defend against that, to repel the allegations of abuse is the language that is used by many courts."
In a recent decision and order issued by Superior Court Judge Michael Bordallo, he denies in part and grants in part Archbishop Apuron's motion to dismiss the libel and slander lawsuit against him. If you recall, the defamation suit was filed by Apuron's accusers, Roy Quintanilla, Walter Denton, Roland Sondia, and Doris Concepcion on behalf of her deceased son, Joseph "Sonny" Quinata.
All four men allege they molested by Apuron, who was a priest at the Mt. Carmel Parish in Agat, decades ago.
Apuron, in response, denied the allegations via video or press release statements to island media. Terlaje added, "It dismissed half the suit essentially...the complaint is two-fold: it's a defamation suit. One for libel. One for slander. The slander was dismissed so all that's remaining is libel. Essentially, the court has instructed that upon the filing of an answer then it would be appropriate for the parties to seek a motion for summary judgment and to seek dismissal of the suit based on the affirmative defenses of qualified privilege."

Tuesday, February 13, 2018

The Cost Of Standing With The Persecutors

First they came for the communists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a communist;
Then they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a socialist;
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out - because I was not a trade unionist;
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out - because I was not a Jew;
Then they came for me - and there was no one left to speak out for me.

  
-Martin Niemoller

Father Jeff San Nicolas was one of the priests who stood together with the Junglewatch Nation.  He led a group of LFM ladies to tour RMS and to view certain documents.  However, he and LFM were refused entry into the seminary.  Father Jeff then called a press conference in which he criticized the NCW.  You can read about it in the Pacific Daily News.  LFM is a group under the Junglewatch Nation and their visit to the seminary came with malicious intent, which is the reason why they were refused entry into the seminary.

Father Jeff also released a biased report against the seminary without even providing a copy of that report to the seminary nor the opportunity to discuss with them what was on the report.  Dr. Ric Eusebio responded to that bias report, and his responses can be found herehere, and here.    

Today, Father Jeff has become a target by the jungle. The Junglewatch Nation is now starting to rally their forces against Father Jeff and possibly against other local priests.  According to Frenchie who posted in the jungle dated February 12, 2018 (the bold is mine):
Tim, myself and several others pointed out that thirty years of corruption, poor management and a lack of involvement by the local clergy, were at the root of the crisis we were finding ourselves into.
Therefore we surmised that the challenge we were facing would be huge and would need the participation of many of the people that had done nothing prior to this........
As we had reluctantly guessed, many of the major hurdles  facing our reconstruction phase, are none of the above, but rather certain actors within the Chancery, and at the parishes level, who have put their personal interest and career path ahead of the well being of the Archdiocese. 
This is a target against certain local priests.  Whoever they are, they were not named. Frenchie then goes on to target Father Jeff:  
In fact many wondered why Archbishop Hon had selected someone like Jeff to fulfill such an important role. Many even wonder why Archbishop Byrnes has not yet handled the bull by the horns, and give Jeff a mission more in tune with his limited capacities, and not lead him into the temptation of power, which obviously he has an unsurmountable attraction for............
 People in general like Jeff, his wide smile is communicative, but behind that smile there is an ambitious career priest, who is way over his head as the delegate to the Archbishop. He is becoming vindictive, bossy and is not giving the knowledge necessary for Abp Byrnes to take difficult decisions............
It is time, Jeff  becomes a priest, rather than a career politician. If things are not happening soon to correct this wrong, Jeff will undoubtely become a new Cristobal, and the Archdiocese will suffer because of it.
Frenchie compared Father Jeff to Father Adrian, and we all know how the jungle treated Father Adrian. It appears that the Junglewatch Nation has become both a law-enforcer and the authority to reorganize the Archdiocese of Agana.  Who does the jungle want to replace Father Jeff with?  Who do they really want as their Bishop of Agana?  We already know from David Lujan (an uncle of Monsignor James) that he was not thrilled to hear that Archbishop Byrnes was chosen to be the Coadjutor Archbishop of Agana.  According to news report:
“I wonder about the prudence of Rome when I heard about this. It goes to show that the people that are advising Pope Francis just have absolutely no idea about Guam,” said Attorney David Lujan. 
Lujan is representing alleged victims of clergy sex abuse including those filing lawsuits against the church and Archbishop Anthony Apuron. 
“I think it’s offensive that Rome selects someone from Detroit of all places, and a white person at that, to send that person to Guam, really, to sort of shepherd us when we got numerous brown priests that were born here, that grew up here, that know the people of Guam and are part of the people of Guam, whether they’re Chamorros or Filipinos…” 
“We have more than enough qualified leadership in the local clergy who Rome should have contemplated. So that’s my reaction to this coadjutor. I can’t wait to see him served,” Lujan said. 
Martin Luther King Jr. never stood on the side of the persecutors.  As a leader of the Civil Rights Movement, he always stood beside his brothers who were persecuted.  He was persecuted along with them.  The question is what about our leader and the rest of our local clergy? You have already seen the cost of standing with the persecutors.  They ended up targeting you next.       

Sunday, February 11, 2018

My Input on the Article of Vatican Insider

Once again, the Guam Daily Post was the only Guam newspaper who picked up the story published by the Vatican Insider.  The story of the Guam Daily Post can be found here.  While the Guam Daily Post does not do any investigative work but simply reports the news, at least they were able to point to the Vatican Insider so that the people of Guam can hear Archbishop Apuron's side of the story. There are a few things I would like to address regarding the latest article of the Vatican Insider.  Some of those points are things I highlighted in the article.  

First of all, I would like to address the "wheelchair", which apparently Rohr is using to discredit the story.  Anyone who has dealt with handicap people know that wheelchairs are not only for those who are unable to stand or walk. It is also used for people who are able to walk but not for long distances.  Archbishop Apuron arrived in a wheelchair because he is unable to walk long distances due to his latest surgery. He was able to stand to meet the pope because that does not require him walking long distances.  

Secondly, in order for Archbishop Byrnes to sell the seminary, he would need the approval of the Presbyteral Council, the Finance Council, and the Holy See.  Obviously, he is able to get the approval of the two councils since most of its members consist of the Junglewatch Nation.  The article, however, pointed out that the Holy See was not interested in seeing the property being sold.  According to the article in Vatican Insider: 
In his letter, the prefect of Propaganda Fide reminded Byrnes of the Church’s interest in not selling the property and the prohibition placed on alienating the property based on previously stipulated conditions. 
In the third place, was Archbishop Byrnes made aware that other diocese in the Pacific region had announced plans to send their seminarians to Guam and therefore increase the enrollment of the seminary to 80?  Was he aware of this information before he went public to the media and announce that the seminary was "unsustainable?" 

In his blog, Rohr questioned why many diocese in the Pacific would send their seminarians to Guam rather than to Fiji.  The answer is very simple.  Archbishop Byrnes even admitted it in the Pacific News Center.  He stated, "“Well what I have to do is look at the statutes for the RMS seminary, because they are unique,”  Archbishop Byrnes was correct when he made this statement.  RMS is unique than other seminaries that many dioceses in the Pacific planned to send their seminarians to Guam rather than to Fiji.  According to NBC news:
When a Vatican office summarized a 2005-2006 study of U.S. seminaries seeking answers to the clergy sex abuse scandal, it recommended that seminaries make their rules more demanding so men shed a "worldly style of life" — and it suggested Redemptoris Mater seminaries were examples worth following. 
A final thing that caught my attention was the following information reported by Vatican Insider: 
During a general audience in October 2017 in St. Peter’s Square, a canonical recourse signed by approximately 25 priests, lawyers, and other prominent figures from Guam was hand-delivered to the Pope. The signers appealed to the Pope to personally intervene regarding Byrnes’ decision, which, it read, “has inflicted a spiritual, moral and physical harm upon the faithful of Guam as a result of his actions without respect for canon law.” The appeal --multiple sources report-- is currently under review by some dicasteries of the Curia.  
There were 25 priests who signed a canonical recourse?  Obviously, Archbishop Byrnes was not very successful in bringing unity to his priests.  Healing and reparation starts with the clergy.  If there is no unity in the clergy, how does one expect to have unity in the congregation?  As I said before, if the priests have stood together as one with Monsignor David against CCOG who demanded his removal, it will send a strong message and a lesson of unity to the Catholic faithful.  But that did not happen.  Instead, some chose to be on the persecutors' side.    

Saturday, February 10, 2018

Another Interesting Article From Vatican Insider

The following article is in the Vatican Insider.  The highlights are mine.
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The February 7th audience with Pope Francis in the Vatican. The verdict of Cardinal Burke's trial remains unpublished. The latest accusation from his nephew. The Church on the island is hit with an avalanche of lawsuits.




VATICAN CITY

Wednesday, February 7, 2018

The GHURA Scandal

636390390720741144-GhURA021.jpgI remember reading a story about a priest who was touring the Vatican with his bishop.  The priest was complaining about the wealth of the Church as he looked from one expensive painting to another.  The priest said, "Why don't the church sell these expensive pieces of art and give to the poor?"  Throughout the tour, the priest complained of how rich the Catholic Church was and how they could sell some of their riches to give to the poor. His bishop finally then turned to him and asked, "How much did you steal from your church collections?" The priest turned away, embarrassed for he had been pilfering from the donations of his congregation a little at a time.  By looking at the expensive paintings and wealth of the Church, he was subconsciously looking for a way to justify his sin.  

Our catechists once said that the accusations we make against other people sometimes have more to do with ourselves rather than the other person.  Sometimes, we rationalize and project our own sins to others simply because we are unable to face our own reality.... that we are also sinners ourselves. 

In the Guam Daily Post, Michael Duenas, the executive director for the Guam Housing and Urban Renewal, is expected to enter a guilty plea in the conspiracy involving himself and former GHURA board members, which include David Sablan, President of CCoG.  As a result of his change in plea, a prison sentence of up to one year was recommended.  

According to news report (the bold is mine): 
Members held illegal secret meetings in order to facilitate millions in tax credits to certain companies, according to a declaration from the Office of the Attorney General. 
The tax credits were awarded to two companies, including a company that was favored by then-board Chairman Sablan. Board members are also alleged to have rubber-stamped decisions by making the decisions in advance, prior to official meetings. 
Anniversary gala 
Documents were also submitted into court showing that $5,000 in government funds, called payments in lieu of taxes, were used to partially fund a $14,715 gala for GHURA's 50th anniversary. 
Two hundred fifty people were treated to a dinner at $44 per head at that party. Two "carving stations" costing $715, decorations estimated at $2,000 and entertainment worth $1,000 were budgeted.
GHURA's employee association covered the remaining costs, according to the documents.

I find it ironic that the person who accused Deacon Tenorio and Archbishop Apuron of using Kamalen Karidat donations to purchase vehicles and personal use now finds himself indicted for a similar reason.  Documents showed that government funds were used for the 50th anniversary gala of GHURA and to benefit his favorite company.  It is ironic that David Sablan who accused the deacon and the Archbishop for lack of transparency has been indicted for allegedly holding secret meetings.    

Now that Michael Duenas has changed his plea agreement, he may be called to testify against David Sablan and the others who were indicted.  I believe that David Sablan should step down as President of CCoG until after his trial.  When Archbishop Apuron was accused of an offense, CCoG demanded that the Archbishop step down.  Now, that the tables have turned, CCoG should also hold themselves to the same standards.     

Monday, February 5, 2018

You Will Know Them By Their Fruits

Jesus said "Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them" (Matthew 7:20).  The fruits of the Neocatechumenal Way are many.  The Way started in the slums of Madrid.  It was in the slums that St. Pope John Paul II saw the fruits of the Way.  The people living in these slums were illiterate prostitutes, alcoholics, and thieves who have been baptized as infants.  Kiko Arguello chose to live with them, and he inspired these slum-dwellers to talk to him about God.  They were inspired to ask questions and learn more about God.  This inspiration brought changes in the lives of these slum-dwellers.  There was clearly a conversion of heart. According to Kiko Arguello (the bold is mine):
The important thing is that many from the shanties were converted to Jesus Christ, their conversion was really amazing. You could touch the Holy Ghost, one was awed. For example… I’ll tell you another anecdote of a gypsy. We celebrated the Eucharist with the full liturgical renovation: with the unleavened bread in the form of bread, we had communion under both species —Monsignor Murillo had authorized it— and we did not allow communion to those who had not assisted to the catechetical process, because there were all kinds of people there. There was a gypsy that went with his wife and remained standing, they saw us all sitting at the table, and when we gave each other the sign of peace I went to offer the peace to this gypsy and he said to me: “I can’t resist it any more, the next time I’ll sit there, I’ll sit with you!” Next day he came with his wife and said: “Take it!” He gave me everything he had stolen: He had understood that in order to sit at the table he had to stop stealing. He went to confession —he had not been to confession in years— and he took a seat in joy at being able to commune with the Lord’s Body.
This conversion of heart is one of the many fruits of the Neocatechumenal Way. God calls each of us to be holy regardless of whether one is in the vocation of married life, single life, or religious life.  As Sonny Ada pointed out in the Pacific Daily News:
"The Neocatechumenal Way is a charism. It’s a help from the mother church in Rome that's here to help communities around the world. In Guam, we’re very fortunate to have it and I really hope the Holy Spirit will guide the archbishop and those involved in continuing to see the Neocatechumenal Way flourish in Guam," said Ada, president of Ada's Trust and Investment Inc.........
"Some people can go to the gym and lose weight. Some need a coach. Same thing spiritually. Some can go to the church, some can do the rosaries, but some need a coach and the Neocatechumenal Way helps me in my faith walk," Ada said. 
The Church is like a hospital, and it has many tools to heal people of all walks of life.  For some, they only need the Mass.  For others, they may need extra help.  The different charisms of the Church are the tools to help each member for each member is unique.  The Neocatechumenal Way was able to help those living in the slums of Madrid....Catholics who do not attend Mass because they are too busy trying to survive the poverty they live in.  

The Neocatechumenal Way has also been known to inspire vocations into the priesthood and religious life, which is another fruit of the Way.  Young men and women have entered the convent or seminary due to this inspiration.  As Pope Francis stated: 
Regarding the Redemptoris Mater Seminaries, I say the following: what would it be of the Diocese of Rome without it? I’ve just ordained 16 priests and 13 were from the Neocatechumenal Way. You draw the conclusions.  
 There are over 100 Redemptoris Mater Seminary worldwide. The RMS in Guam shut down, but 4 more sprung up in place worldwide. The attitude of many of the RMS priests toward persecution is remarkable.  An example is Father Pallu, who was kidnapped in Nigeria.  Despite the fact that he was kidnapped and threatened with death, Father Pallu wishes to remain in Nigeria.

Other fruits of the Way include a passionate commitment in building up their parish. Many brothers volunteer as altar servers, Eucharistic ministers, Lectors, CCD instructors, choir members, and many more. Many contribute to their parish through volunteer work in maintaining the parish grounds, cleaning inside the church, and even in providing flowers for the altar. They do these work for free without any pay.

The Way have also instilled a missionary zeal, not only among single people, but also among families.  There are mission families and itinerants spreading the good news.  How do we know what comes from God?  Christ said, "It is by their fruits that you will recognize them." If it produces no fruit or bad fruit, eventually it will die out or be cut down.  In May 2018, the NCW will be in Rome to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Roman communities with Pope Francis.    

SAINT Pope John Paul II: 
Like every anniversary, seen in the light of faith, yours too becomes an opportunity for praise and thanksgiving for the abundant gifts that in these years the Lord has granted you and, through you, to the whole Church. For many people the Neocatechumenal experience has been a journey of conversion and maturing in the faith through the rediscovery of Baptism as a true source of life, and of the Eucharist as the culminating moment in Christian life; through the rediscovery of the word of God which, shared in fraternal communion, becomes a light and guide for life; through the rediscovery of the Church as an authentic missionary community.

How many young people have actually discovered their own priestly or religious vocation thanks to the Way! Your visit today also offers me a happy opportunity to join in your hymn of praise and thanksgiving for the “great things” (magnalia) which God is doing in the experience of the Way.    

Saturday, February 3, 2018

New Member Of International Team

We have a new member to the International Team.  She has succeeded Carmen Hernandez.  You can find the following article here.


Her name is María Ascensiòn Romero, she is 57 years old, she is Spanish and so far she has been traveling in Russia. It was she who succeeded Carmen Hernández, who died on July 19, 2016, 85 years after a long illness, as a female figure in the international team that leads the Neocatechumenal Way in the world. This morning, during a meeting with the itinerants of the five continents in the center of Porto San Giorgio, Kiko Argüello, initiator of the neocatechumenal itinerary, stated that it is not a "replacement" of Carmen who remains « irreplaceable "and that it is a choice ad experimentum, therefore not definitive.  

Choice made not soon and at the request of the Dicastery for the laity, family and life on the basis of the Statutes that regulate the Way - approved in 2008 by the Holy See - which envisage, in Article 35, the presence in the team responsible for "A single woman".  

Missionary in Russia for about 25 years, of which nine in Kazakhstan and twelve in St. Petersburg in the parish of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Mar í in Ascensiòn has been collaborating since this summer with Kiko and father Mario Pezzi. With Carmen he shares the provenance of Tudela, in the diocese of Pamplona, ​​and also studies in theology. She is described by everyone as a humble, elegant, discreet woman, and today she said she did not feel up to this responsibility but accepted it in the certainty that "God does impossible things".  

She will then welcome, together with Kiko and Father Pezzi, Pope Francis in the great meeting of May 5 at Tor Vergata, in Rome - the same place of John Paul II's vigil with young people for the WYD in 2000 - to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the birth of the Neocatechumenal Way communities in Rome and throughout Italy. These are the first small groups of faithful, of every age and social origin, who after the announcement of the kèrygma brought by Kiko and Carmen first among the shacks of Palomeras Altas, among the poorest poor in Madrid, and then in the Latin Borghetto, at the suburbs of Rome, they began to gather together to undertake a path of rediscovery of the baptismal promises, thus giving life to one of the most widespread ecclesial realities in the world.  

Friday, February 2, 2018

Dispelling A Rumor

It has been brought to my attention that a rumor was going around saying that the NCW in Guam is not celebrating the Eucharist.  I do not know where this rumor came from.  We are still having the Eucharist.  It was the Redemptoris Mater Seminary that was shut down, not the Eucharist.  The NCW continues to have the Eucharist inside the Church in front of a consecrated altar.  Archbishop Byrnes had also instructed our catechists that we will consume the Body of Christ standing up.  The NCW continues to follow those instructions.  The NCW has not stopped its celebration of the Eucharist in Guam.  My community still celebrates the Eucharist inside the church. We also continue to have the celebration of the word and the monthly conviviences.  Our youth still participate in the monthly scrutacio as well.  While it is true that the NCW is being persecuted here, the brothers in the communities are still continuing their walk.