An Archdiocesan internal review report, which was distributed inside yesterday's issue of Umatuna Si Yu'os, the archdiocese's newspaper, alleges Benavente used funds for the two entities interchangeably, used clergy stipends to make personal credit card payments and used cemetery funds to pay for his 20th anniversary reception, along with other allegations.
"The Archdiocese of Agana in the past several months has been conducting an internal review of the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica and The Catholic Cemeteries of Guam, Inc. following a determination by the accounting firm of Deloitte & Touche, that The Catholic Cemeteries was not auditable," the review report stated.
The report also states during Benavente's time as administrator of the two entities, he developed projects that resulted in the Archdiocese incurring $7 million in debt.
Pacific Daily News made several attempts to contact Benavente yesterday, but was unsuccessful.
Tim Rohr, a friend of Benavente, said Benavente had been asked by Vatican officials not to respond to the allegations.
"The real issue is that he's never been given a chance to respond to the allegations to the Archdiocese," Rohr said. "In any protocol, you don't go to the media or the public first, you go to the person. He hasn't been given a list of the accusations. These aren't new, and this is a severe breach of confidentiality."
Benavente released a statement in August after allegations were first made against him.
"Despite my repeated pleas to be presented with the written allegations of financial mismanagement and the opportunity to respond, the decision was made to go to the media and public first," Benavente said. "I am confident that this entire situation could have been resolved amicably in order to spare our community the hurt and division that exists today; however, the lesser road was chosen."
Projects Benavente administered account for 37 percent of the total debt of the Archdiocese while the remaining debt is spread among all parishes and Catholic schools, according to the report.
Upon changing administration, credit cards in the name of the Archdiocese were discovered holding balances in excess of $60,000, the report states.
"The credit card in the name of The Catholic Cemeteries was specifically used by (Monsignor) Benavente for restaurants, air fare, the Shangri-La Hotel in Manila and other five star hotels," according to the report.
In the same period those charges were accrued, The Catholic Cemeteries and the Cathedral-Basilica expended more than $123,000 toward credit card payments to First Hawaiian Bank and American Express, and an additional $23,000 of The Catholic Cemeteries' funds were allegedly used to pay for a credit card in Benavente's name, a gas card, and cellphone and data privileges, according to the report.
Additionally, the report states that $13,000 of cemetery funds were used to pay for Benavente's anniversary reception, the report states.
Operating in the red
The Cathedral-Basilica is currently operating in the red, and according to the report, this is because of actions taken by Benavente.
According to the report, Benavente offered scholarships, medical donations, employee loans and other donations from parish funds, despite a lack of available funds.
Past-due obligations for both the Cathedral-Basilica and The Catholic Cemeteries total $400,000, which does not include the $7 million owed to First Hawaiian Bank, the report states.
The monthly income generated by the Cathedral-Basilica is "insufficient to pay for both past due and current" obligations, according to the report.
Monsignor David Quitugua, who is the Cathedral-Basilica's current rector, issued a letter to parishioners yesterday that said the parish will need to increase revenues in the coming months and years to address incurred obligations.
http://www.guampdn.com/article/20150126/NEWS01/301260006/Internal-review-discloses-specific-details
Why didn't the people who did the internal investigation sign off on it, Yet they used the archdiocese letter head? Signature of verification is essential! Sorry I don't buy it, no signature! Tell the Archbishop to sign the documents, then maybe I will see things differently.
ReplyDeleteI doubt you will "see things differently."
DeleteIt's a report, NOT investigation.
DeleteIf there were truly mishandling of funds, investigation should be warranted. Even criminal investigation with legal consequences. But we don't see anything like that happening. Why?! So we are inclined to make the assumption that there were NO mishandling of Cathedral funds. What do you say to this challenge?
DeleteDear Anonymous at 5:56 pm,
DeleteThe Church usually does not operate that way. They do not take things to a civil court.
They have their report, yet they still blame AAA for Benavente's actions. They don't care about the information found by the internal review.
ReplyDeleteIf AAA's name was on that report, it will end there for them.
Who did the "internal" review?
Delete"They have their report..." Uh, hello? Who's report is this again? Definitely not OURS! Of course we don't care about the information on it. Duh.....
DeleteDear Anonymous at 11:14 pm,
DeleteOf course, you do not care what is IN the report. All I hear from the jungle now is "why didn't the Archbishop privately call Monsignor James to discuss the report?" Weren't they the ones calling for transparency? Now suddenly, they do not want transparency?
Anon 2:24.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you will "see things differently"?
I doubt it.
Tim Rohr appears to have found a way to explain everything away WITHOUT even doing an audit or review.
ReplyDeleteTim Rohr is there Bishop.
Deletemaybe tim rohr needs to be AUDIT ??? was he getting pay by benavente
DeleteA FRIEND! Rohr and Benavente friends? This explains a lot!
ReplyDeleteIs there anything wrong with being friends?
DeleteAnon 9:02, no there is absolutely nothing wrong with being friends, it's the KIND of friend ROHR is. A man who was under the benevente payroll; who was salivating to sell the seminary to get money; the man who told lies and calumnies about the archbishop and even called him 'evil incarnate'; the one who at every turn wanted to destroy the church in Guam; the man who apparently sold his soul to benavente for love of money; this man as a FRIEND is like making a pact with death.
DeleteYou are too funny 11:39 PM. Apparently, there are a LOT of people on Tim Rohr's side.
DeleteDear Anonymous at 11:10 pm,
DeleteTim Rohr does not have a lot of people on his side. Tim even admitted on his blog that he has lost a lot of friends.
The Report said that Monsignor James gave out free cemetery plots to a friend and family. Does anyone know who the "friend" might be?
ReplyDeleteWhat is truly incredible is the spin rohr and company are confusing people with.
ReplyDeleteEspecially about going public....going to the media.
Can anybody count how many talk shows and news articles rohr and company were on or offered comments too?
Compare this to the Arch Bishop.
the 3 bishops asked him not to comment but what does he do?
long live king rohr.....long live the king
I have to give credit to the close supporters of benavente (rohr his FRIEND, CCOG, Untalan, the others) for their undying, unyielding, blind and diehard support for benavente despite the glaring and almost sickening corruption he is attached to. It is fascinating to think that these so-called business 'professionals' are blinded to the factual evidence unearthed in the review report.
ReplyDeleteamazing how the debunked finance committee members could for years silently allow a accounting practice to be un-auditable.
Deletemake one wonder.......either they were totally incompetent in their morale obligations and responsibilities or involved in some type of conspiracy to use their trusted positions for personal gains.
by selling church assets, rohr and co-conspirators can cover their mistakes and retain control of the left over funds. Blaming the Arch Bishop for all the misappropriated funds was automatic; even though they were responsible in overseeing the churches finances.
Not saying they did any of the above.....but it makes one wonder??
I cannot say that benavente was a co-conspirator but birds of a feather do flock together.....hhhmmmm.
Yah and we're to believe an internal review report that no one wants to sign. Something's wrong with this picture folks.
DeleteDoes anyone know if its actually true that Monsignor James has never actually been given a statement of the charges against him?
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous at 7:36 pm,
DeleteI remember that a list of charges regarding financial mismanagement was read to Monsignor James, but a copy of those charges were not given to him. Monsignor James wanted a copy so he could refute them. I do not know why he could not refute the there at the time it was read to him. I am guessing that he wanted a copy to give Tim Rohr for publication in his blog and then refute the charges with make-believe stories. Have you notice how quick Tim was able to explain some of the charges without even looking at the paperwork showing the actual amount? Have you notice that he did not even provide any actual documents to support his explanation? After getting his followers into looking at documents so much, I guess they now believe every word he says despite the fact that the Archbishop has the evidence of Benavente's financial mismanagement.
as a neo in a neo run admin go and ask to see the actual paper, bills, or whatever makes up what is being charged so you know and we will also know that way you can refute what rohr has said.......
Deletenone of this he said/she said..............show the paper trail...........its my money i want in now.......
@ 9:18 PM, I like your idea. This makes a lot of sense. Maybe the rest of us can see who is actually telling the truth. I for one don't know who to believe anymore, whether it is the Shepherd, the clergy, the flock, etc.
DeleteUnfortunately for many Catholics in Guam, it is easier to follow what is popular.....what is comfortable.....follow people whose opinions justify their sense of religious righteousness.
Deletelets look people who rejected Jesus in his time..
In the Gospels the Pharisees often appear as the influential arch-enemies of Jesus. They tirelessly watch how the Jewish people observe the purity and holiness code.
Rules,,,rules,,,,,rohr is pretty good at pointing out rules
The Sadducees were from the Hellenized Jewish upper class, which supported stable conditions and the prevailing social order, and whose religion was reasonable and worldly. The Sadducees did not, for example, believe in life after death.
rohr and other so called Catholics claim that there is a division within the Catholic Church in Guam.....that's old news.
The NCW seems to disturb their sense of religious normalcy.....their comfort level.
I believe Jesus did the same to the people of his time.
He did not build his church to give comfort to those who say they believe but for those who clearly don't.
the real division between the Catholics on Guam is not money...disobedient priest or deacons; it is the hypocrisy of thinking they know God; the Son and the Holy Spirit.
JSB
Ma
Why should Benavente read the list when he already knows what he did? The facts speak for themselves. NUMBERS don't lie. And these are BIG, really BIG numbers!
DeleteGee..bigger than Apuron giving away a MULTI MILLION DOLLAR asset?
DeleteDear Anonymous at 5:37 pm,
DeleteThe seminary still belongs to the Archdiocese. You simply cannot sell it or do anything to it. The Archbishop did not get any money for the "perpetual use" clause.
It is obvious that there is a concerted and an ingenious strategy to discredit Archbishop Apuron. But who is orchestrating all this campaign against Archbishop Apuron? Who is the leader? Who is the mind of this devilish plan?
ReplyDeleteThe spokespersons are Tim Rohr, Chuuk White and Patty Arroyo. They have strong links within the PDN in the person of Gaynor Dumat el Deleno. And they are friends of Archbishop Krebs.
What is their common link? It is obvious. It is Father ERIC FORBES. They are Latin mass lovers. They frequent the friary up in Agana Heights. They belong to the Catholic Evidence Guild. Patty has a son who is a Capuchin student.
Father ERIC FORBES was seen dining with Archbishop Krebs on January 6th when the latter was here for the pastoral visit together with Archbishop Hon. A horrible gaffe of diplomacy on the part of Krebs.
Father ERIC FORBES is keeping himself out of the limelight of publicity and working behind the scenes orchestrating the downfall of Apuron, perhaps in the hope of taking his place.
Come out of darkness to live in the Light!
Yes!! There is hope!!
DeleteDear Anonymous at 11:14 pm,
DeleteSo far, all the things the jungle has tried have not worked. There was Typhoon Toves, and he gained nothing. There was the CCOG and so far we all see that they and Rohr are in the same boat. They have not been able to remove the Archbishop. The only one who can remove the Archbishop is the Pope. Tim Rohr noted in his blog that a manila envelope was given to him in Manila. Keep wondering what is in it because that envelope is in the hands of the Pope.
Tim is just dying to find out what's in the letter. He probably thinks it's ALL about him. Thus he has sleepless nights and is just consumed with himself. What a sad commentary on a life wasted trying to defend a corrupt priest and his friends for the sake of a few dollars.
DeleteA few dollars????? Millions of dollars. If you remember Enron this how the CEO went down hill and committed suicide because of mismanagement of money. We just pray for Mosignor Benavente.
DeleteI really feel bad for him and he is very lucky not going to jail.
Diana - see this link below. If the priest in Orange County told Tim to reconcile. He failed to listen.
ReplyDeletehttp://www.catechumenusa.com/2014/07/monsignor-james-benavente-served-as.html
huh?? Read it again... He didn't tell Tim to reconcile. Father prayed "for all parties to reconcile their grievances and allegations". And he hoped there would be reconciliation within the community "by the end of the storm".
ReplyDeleteI pray for the same.
Anon 7:05AM The Priest offer for reconciliation that is what I'm trying to say. Be in communion but not to destroy each other. Or else, why bother to be a Christian if JUngle watch intention is to destroy the Neocatechumenal Way and the Archbishop!
Deleteoops...that is: Father prayed "for all parties to RESOLVE their grievances and allegations". sorry.
ReplyDeleteAll I see is that Monsignor Benevente ran the Cathedral well and good things happened. Now the NCW has taken over things are worse and people have left. Bottom line is the Bishop signed off in good faith and if there were a problem it should have been settled in-house. Instead the Lessor Road Was Chosen. The Bishop cannot keep blaming everyone else and should take responsibility for The Church he is responsible to maintain for God. I would like to see his internal report that has not been done in years.
ReplyDeleteAnon 9:07AM Hello?????? Who went to the media and protest in front of the Church and cried?????? It was not the Archbishop but Mosignor Benvente......the Cathedral still looks the same, people left because their Pope is Tim Rohr and Mosignor James. People are blind here, CCOG,Tim Rohr and Chuck threw mud against the Archbishop before he can speak. He never said anything ill but the Jungle Rohr and his allegiance.
Delete@9:07 am - YES! the majority of the Catholic faithful on this island agree with you! That is part of the problem causing this division in this Archdiocese. The Lesser Road was indeed chosen in the case of Monsignor Benavente's case, and unfortunately, they keep pouring salt into the wound. Here we are, trying to pray for peace and unity, and there they are, back to the same shenanigans right after the Apostolic delegation left. It is indeed very sad.
ReplyDeletethe lesser road.......sort like the road to heaven huh.....its not wide. Yes....I am a neo and I will follow the lesser rood.
Deletedid our lord tell us not to judge is this the way to judge others. you all should be ashamed of yourselves may God have mercy on your souls and forgive of what your doing.
ReplyDelete@11:51 - Hello? Are you blind? The Archbishop did go to the media first and removed him and listed a bunch of charges? That is what I recall. Please show me otherwise. All the other prayer services and press releases by others were their own doing and not directly Monsignor's. Get your facts straight. The Archbishop and his group have aired the dirty laundry. So now we will give our two cents since we are the ones who helped build and maintain these Parishes. When the elders start speaking up you know there is a real problem. So like it or not its game time now so get ready to rock and roll!
ReplyDeleteDear Anonymous at 9:36 pm,
DeleteThis is incorrect. The first time the public heard of Monsignor's removal did not come from the Archbishop. It came through Tim Rohr's blog, which is a social media. It was on July 26, 2014 when Tim first posted about hearing the removal of Monsignor Benavente.
It was in the morning of July 26th when a letter from the Archbishop was delivered to Monsignor James. This letter did not go to the Media. It only went to Monsignor James. Monsignor James then wrote a letter to the ;employees of theCatholic Cemeteries, the Catholic Gift Shop, and theCatholic-Bascillica informing them of his removal. That letter (which stated "Confidential") was given to Tim Rohr and published on his blog.
At 9:17 pm, KUAM picked up the story because someone sent KUAM the same letter. It was also through Junglewatch that the public learned the reason for Monsignor Benavente's removal.
http://www.junglewatch.info/2014/07/msgr-james-benavente-removed-as-rector.html
This was where it all started.
Anon 9:36 PM - YOU are wrong my friend. Archbishop published the change of assignments in Umatuna and benavente went crying to the media refusing to obey. A very fine example of the 'people's priest who took the lesser road'.
DeleteIt's true you did "help build and maintain the parishes", but who STOLE the money from CEMETERY AND CATHEDRAL?????? Who gifted himself with YOUR 'TWO CENTS'???? Who gave his friend and family free plots at Pigo totaling $380,000? And who who ends up paying for that? YOU! Thank you Msgr. for passing on the bill to me and my family so that your friends can benefit from your corruption! So much for the 'lesser road'. A real 'people's priest'. I guess, All Lesser Roads Leads to Shangri-La!.
Anon 9:36 PM - did you say 'charges'? these are COLD HARD FACTS. Benavente stole thousands and thousands of YOUR money, of GOD'S money. All the archbishop did was to show the truth. True, you did help build and maintain the parishes, but who STOLE the money? Are you happy with that?
DeleteDear Anonymous at 11:01 pm,
DeleteAnnouncing a change of assignments does not cause any scandal. The Archbishop has the right to change a priest's assignment. The Umatuna did not say the reason for the change of assignment. You say that Benavente went crying to the media after it was announced that his assignment was changed. Thus, it was Benavente who went to the media. The Archbishop kept quiet the reason for the changed assignment. That is what a father would do. He would not scandalized his son by revealing the reason to the media. Benavente did that on his own.
The scandal appears to be that a beloved priest has been re-assigned to another village.
DeleteThe followers of this priest are in crisis now because God has shaken their perceptions of worship.
they are struggling with the question.......who am I really following..........Christ or the man.
the scandal is that they are following the man
JSB