What was also brought to my attention was that some of the RMS clergy were there, singing along with their brother priests on stage. It is fantastic that all priests, regardless of whether they are RMS priests or not, get along and helping each other in this important cause.
This idea that we do not need SUCH priests (in this case the RMS priests) because Guam is a small island is discriminatory. In fact, every priest whether they live in large country or small island should know something about missionary work. After all, is it not the duty of a priest to look for the lost sheep? Did one think that the priest is supposed to remain in the sacristy all his life, expecting the lost sheep to come to him? In the story of the prodigal son, when the father saw his youngest son in the distance coming home to him, the father picked himself up and ran to meet his son. He did not wait for his son to come to him. Even he ran to meet his repentant son. So, even this father did not stay at home, but went out to meet his lost son on the road.
Many thanks to the following priests who took part in the success of the concert:
Rev. Fr. Romeo Convocar
Rev. Fr. Mike Crisostomo
Rev. Fr. Joel de los Reyes
Monsignor Ruben Espeno
Rev. Fr. Karl Vila
Monsignor Bibi Arroyo
Rev. Fr. Fran Hezel
Rev. Fr. Vicenzo Acampora
Rev. Fr. Gerry Hernandez
Rev. Fr. Harold Prieto
Rev. Fr. Alberto Rodriguez
Rev. Fr. William Mamangun
Rev. Fr. Danny Ferrandiz
Rev. Fr. Jun Trenchera
Rev. Fr. Ron Pangan
Deacon Larry Claros
Rev. Fr. Junee Valencia
Rev. Fr. Val Rodriguez
Rev. Fr. Jojo Anore
Rev. Fr. Dan Trajano
Rev. Fr. Jonathan Alvarez
Tim Rohr was the one who admitted that RMS priests aren't needed cuz Guam was too small.
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous at 4:25 pm,
DeleteThat is correct. Rohr wanted Guam RMS to close down and felt that a seminary in Guam was unnecessary because of Guam’s small population. At first, Archbishop Michael Byrnes recognized the good fruits of the seminary. According to news report:
Still, the archbishop will approach the seminary he now controls with an open mind. “I have every intention that the seminary will continue. The action that I have taken is mainly to clarify the ownership of the property, and not so much over the seminary activity. So there’s a difference,” Byrnes explained.
“The seminary has produced, from what I understand, good fruit, good priests, not only for Guam but other diocese in the Oceana region. And so it’s another place I need to hear from, to see for myself. But I have at this point every intention to continue its service, and I certainly want to continue supporting the institute. It can be a tremendous source of grace for the Archdiocese. I have plenty of experience in the seminary, and I know the good it can do. I’ll know more [about the seminary] and I have no intention of changing its activity at this point.”
https://neocatechemunal.blogspot.com/2017/01/rms-stays-same.html
At first, Archbishop Michael intended to keep RMS open as he recognized that the seminary would be good for Guam and the entire region of Oceania, which lacks priests. However, he was either influenced or pressured by the JungleWatch Nation to close the seminary (see the weblink below):
https://neocatechemunal.blogspot.com/2018/04/possible-priest-shortage-in-guam.html
Therefore, one cannot put all the blame on Tim Rohr. Archbishop Michael also shares the blame in closing the seminary. After all, the Archbishop is a man, and a man takes responsibility for his actions.
Another weblink related to my comment is:
Deletehttps://neocatechemunal.blogspot.com/2020/08/sons-of-guam-were-not-deserters.html