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Friday, July 15, 2016

Patience Is A Virture

Apparently, some people are in a hurry to get Archbishop Hon to fix the problem so there would be unity. Those who are in a hurry do not represent the vast majority of Catholics.  They only represent the small group walking the sidewalk in front of the Agana Cathedral.  Most people are patient, realizing that Rome is here and will allow Rome to do the job it came to do.  The jungle obviously have different ideas of what unity looks like and are very impatient.    

The division between the clergy and those of the laity are different.  The division in the clergy already existed before Father Paul was removed from the Dededo parish.  The division of the laity was a result of the jungle.  

I am certain that Archbishop Hon is addressing the division between the clergy. The CARA report of 2010 indicated a division between the RMS priests and non-RMS priests.  But of course, there are some non-RMS priests who are able to get along with the RMS priests and vice versa.  In his interview with Patty Arroyo yesterday, Father Mike said that he feels the clergy is not yet unified, but he is hopeful.  While they await for Archbishop Hon to bring peace and unity at the clergy level, this would be an excellent time for the clergy to reflect on their division.  Ask themselves why they are oppose to Archbishop Apuron and when did this opposition start.  If they did a reflection on this, perhaps they will discover the root of this opposition.  We can then discover that the problem is not outside but inside of us.  

This is a good time to remind the clergy about holding grudges against their brothers.  This is a good time to do a reflection while they patiently wait.  The following was emailed to me two years ago and can be found in my blog:

CERTAIN DEACONS’ MISCONCEPTION

Ten year ago, Archbishop suggested/mandated/recommended (it depends to which person you speak) the deacon class of 2003 to go and listen to the catechesis of the Neocatechumenal way. Some deacons claim that Father Adrian ‘threatened’ them that Archbishop will not ordain them deacons if they do not follow this directive. 

These catechesis are a fifteen talks-and-celebrations package, that may give way to the birth of a small Neocatechumenal community in a parish. At the end everyone is asked whether he wants to continue or not.

All of them, I believe, went to listen to the initial catechesis. Some opted to continue and are still in the Way. Others selected to continue but desisted after some months or years. Others decided it was not their soup and after the initial convivence, never bothered to stay.  All these thirteen men were ordained deacons.

These are the simple facts.


THE AFTERMATH

Some of these deacons are very grateful that the Archbishop insisted that they go and listen to the catechesis. I know, to give one example, that Deacon Ed Borja found the Neocatechumenal community a tremendous help in his battle against the terminal sickness that eventually ended his life.



Other deacons never forgave the Archbishop for this unspeakable sin. ‘What?! Forcing us to go and listen a catechesis!! Making this a condition for diaconal ordination. Unheard of. Canonically unjust. Archbishop is overstepping his authority… ‘

And they are still harping on this after TTTTEEEEEN long years!! When Archbishop Krebs came, apparently they strongly brought it to his attention. Again.

Why did the Archbishop do this? I do not know. I am not the Archbishop.  I know however that he loves his people and he knows that the Neocatechumenal Way can help certain people who are suffering. So I guess he saw in the Neocatechumenal Way a good pastoral tool to help the people discover their faith in a deeper way. He also saw this Way a good instrument to help former Catholics come back to the Church. This Way was/is producing results. And so Archbishop thought that it is good for these deacons in formation to taste this pastoral instrument.

He also believed that it could help them in their personal life. A deacon (or a priest) is a normal man who needs conversion, who needs a place that can help him face his issues under the light of the Word of God. Obviously the Neocatechumenal Way is not the only place where one can grow in faith, but it is also one valid place. Confirmed by the magisterium of the Church with a good tracking record of many years here in Guam.

‘He had no right to impose it or make it a condition for diaconal ordination’, one may argue. I am not a canonist and so I cannot really answer this objection. However the facts are that he ordained both those who went and continued in the Neo-catechumenal Way and those who did not continue.  

One needs to ask oneself whether the archbishop can and should determine certain aspects of the spiritual, academic and personal formation of the candidates, like their willingness to respect and obey the authority of the Church.  Ordination is not a right or a privilege.

I believe this was more a pastoral decision than anything else. A friend priest of mine always tells me that the Church is a mother and that the administration of justice in the Church has no other purpose than the salus animarum, the salvation of souls, as laid down in the last canon, 1752, of the Code of Canon Law. Perhaps this is what motivated Archbishop.

What I fail to understand is why some deacons are still harping on this after ten long years. Can’t they forget and let go? Let us say, for the sake of the argument, he made a mistake, can’t they excuse him? Do the Gospel values like forgiveness and lenience have any worth today?

Let us be grateful that we have an Archbishop who cares for souls and is trying to do something... 

UPDATE:

It appears that more people were interested in the three Filipino priests rather than the Deacon's ordination.  So, I have added an update to this post. These are my opinions.  Apparently, these three Filipino priests were borrowed from the Philippines.  From what I understand they probably wanted to become incardinated here on Guam so they could remain here as priests for Guam.  They were asked by Archbishop Apuron to walk in the Way to help the community and even inspire Guam's youth into the priesthood.  If they chose not to walk with a community, they can return to their home countries.  

This is what I think they should have done.  They should have walked in the Way as the Archbishop ASkED them to do.  After walking in the Way, they would become incardinated.  Those Filipino priests who would like to continue walking in the Way can continue.  Those who chose to opt out can also do so just as some of the deacons did.  In either case, they would have been incardinated in Guam and shown their obedience to the Archbishop simply because they chose to do as the Archbishop ASKED. 

However, since they chose a different path, then most likely they were not meant to be priests for Guam.  It was their choice to begin with. 

Many times, we are faced with two choices that we like or two choices that we do not like.  Since my son complained so much of taking out the garbage, I gave him a choice between two house chores.  He can throw out the garbage or clean the bathroom.  He did not like any of those house chores, but he chose one anyway.  He decided to throw out the garbage.

45 comments:

  1. Diana, what about the numerous Filipino priests that were sent back to the Philippines because they refused to serve the in the way? There are copies of letters from AAA informing them that failure to serve in the way will result in thier termination of thier service here.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Anonymous at 11:08 am,

      They were not forced to join the Way. They were given a choice. They can join the Way or they have one year in the Archdiocese of Agana and can return to their home country.

      Delete
    2. One year for one priest; immediate expulsion for the other two:

      In his letter to one priest, Archbishop Apuron wrote

      I am now asking you…as Archbishop of Agana to accompany this...Community as their presbyter for their Celebration of the Eucharist every Saturday evening at 7:30pm. If you decide you will not serve, I will have to let you know now, that your time in this Archdiocese will be for only one year from the above date.

      To the other two priests, he wrote:

      I would like you (name of priest) to seriously consider following the next series of catechesis which will take place in (the priest's parish) and committing yourself to the community that will later be formed as its presbyter as well as other communities born from hereon in the parish. Unless I see this desire manifest in you within the coming years, I may ask that you go elsewhere….If you do not agree to the above, then you are free to begin to look around for a benevolent bishop to accept you into his arch/diocese.

      Delete
    3. The signed letters can be found here.

      https://www.scribd.com/document/234271730/Apuron-2008-Letters-to-the-3-Filipino-Priests-edited

      Delete
    4. Dear Anonymous at 3:58 pm,

      Dear Anonymous 3:58 pm,

      As you can see from the letters, the Archbishop was ASKING the priest. And he told him to seriously consider the options. The choice was theirs to make.

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    5. "Unless I see this desire manifest in you within the coming years..."

      Please, note "within the coming years". This was not for immediate action. Who told you they were sent back home immediately? Is it possible that they chose to return?

      Delete
    6. @ANON 6:38PM: English 101 (reading comprehension)
      "Unless I see this desire manifest in you in the coming years, I may ask you to go elsewhere to be incardinated..." is a text happening after they have accepted his invitation to serve as a Presbyter for future communities.

      The last paragraph is to take effect if he choose not to accept his invitation: "If you do not agree to the above, then you are free to begin to look around for another for another benevolent bishop to accept you into his arch/diocese."

      Delete
  2. That's fair. Come and get a taste of the good life, then get shipped off unless you obey the archbishop. They shouldn't have come in the first place if they weren't going to put the needs of the church first.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Anonymous at 2:05 pm,

      What exactly are you saying about the Philippines? This is the home country of these Filipino priests.

      Delete
    2. Anon. 2:31. Before you start putting down the PI, better remember that many Chamorros have gone there for medical treatment. Our hospital here on Guam is in a very sad shape.

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    3. Sorry, I meant Anon. 2:05, not you, Diana.

      Delete
    4. One thing everybody should know and recognize here is that being a priest/ presbyter in the NCW is strenuous. Consecrated clergy who do this job is doing much more than a regular parish priest. Looking after the needs of the communities and attend their numerous meetings takes a whole lot of extra time and effort, in addition to the usual parish obligations.

      Not everybody is up to accept these extra commitments. That is why it should come as a willing choice, a conscious decision and a deliberate acceptance with good will, humility and enthusiasm. Otherwise it won't ever work. The fact is that priests educated in an RMS and socialized in NCW communities are more willing to accept this kind of challenge.

      Delete
    5. Dear Anonymous at 6:47 pm,

      See the update on this post.

      Delete
    6. And your long experience as a parish priest tells you this?

      Delete
  3. So...they were not forced to join the Way, but if they chose not to join, they would be sent back to where they came from?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Anonymous at 2:55 pm,

      If they chose not to join, they stay one year with the Archdiocese of Agana, and then they can go home to their families and diocese in the Philippines.

      Delete
    2. In other words, if you want to stay and serve on Guam you have to join. This is a type of 'force', Diana! Forcing the Way on all who serve on Guam! So, what did he do to those that were already incarnated here but didn't want to join?

      Delete
    3. isn't there a promise to obey? If a priest does not want to obey...fine; go serve the God of your choice. Go service the God that you desire. So what if the orders are beyond this world....to serve in a manner different to your comfort level. OBEY or get out of Gods way.

      Delete
    4. Dear Anonymous at 4:40 pm,

      Apparently, their desire to stay was not very strong otherwise they would have chosen to stay no matter what. They prefer to return home.

      Delete
    5. Anon @4:57--
      Just listen to yourself! So if a priest is not walking he "services the God of his choice" or "God that he desires"??? "Get out of God's way"??? Is that what they teach you?
      And then we are told that no one is forced to join the Way....

      Delete
    6. Dear Anon 8:50, as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord! (Josh 24:15)

      Delete
  4. The P.I. priest are borrowed priest is my understanding....makes sense to return what was borrowed knowing that we will eventually have our own...
    Priest ordained from our very own seminary??.. Makes sense now.... and to have two seminaries for vocations to choose from. One being the RMS...
    Nice.....
    Good move for catholics on Guam....
    If more young men from Guam with vocations to be priest are discovered, then they can have a choice of seminary...the one carism that seems to help young men discover if priesthood is for them is the Neocatechuminal way.....
    Nice....

    ReplyDelete
  5. So what you're saying is that if they had joined the NCW, they would have had the choice to stay?

    ReplyDelete
  6. None of them stayed for a year. They were sent home right after their denial of joining the NCW.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Anonymous at 5:46 pm,

      I would not blame them. What priest would not take that opportunity to return to their families and home country?

      Delete
    2. Could you, please, produce their contract and point out which part of the contract was violated? All you need to do is to produce the document so that we could see what you are talking about.

      Delete
    3. Diana,
      Here again you are being very obtuse. You are playing games with words! I know for a fact that at least one wanted very much to stay on Guam. But Apuron made it very difficult for him to be here if he chose not to join. Apuron made it very difficult for all the Filipino priests that chose not to walk. Shameful!

      Delete
    4. Dear Anonymous at 8:36 pm,

      How is asking to walk with a community considered an "abuse?" Please be specific.

      Delete
    5. Walk in and he way, or else. I can't get any more specific than that.

      Delete
    6. Dear Anonymous at 4:04 pm,

      Or else what? You are still not being specific.

      Delete
  7. Dear readers,

    Please see the update to my post. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Sorry that this is off-topic, but this just came from the jungle. I thought it was important to bring it here.

    Joseph A. SantosJuly 15, 2016 at 8:10 PM
    The last comment from our "pastoral visit" last night in Mongmong was that AB Hon has not reinstated Pale Paul & Mons. James because there may be some validity to their removal. So Hon is moving "cautiously and with prudence". Anyone care to come to their defense?

    ReplyDelete
  9. A classic example of abuse of one's power to force a favorable outcome. I would like to know how many other archbishops have imposed this ultimatum on their prospective clergy members

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Anonymous at 10:50 am,

      So using the analogy above with my son as an example, does this make me an abusive parent? The deacons were also told to attend the catechesis. Some of the deacons were glad that they did and continued to walk in a community while other deacons held a grudge against the Archbishop.

      If those Filipino priests had done what the Archbishop had asked, they would still be here on Guam and incardinated as priests for Guam. If they find the NCW to their liking, they can continue to walk in a community. If later on, they realize that it is not for them after walking for so many months or years, they can opt out just like some of the deacons did.

      Delete
  10. Do we really have to give the NCW a test drive to stay on the island? That's more like a threat than asking.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous @8:47--
    I was there. Hon was not. I interpreted the priest who was speaking to say that he believes Hon has not reinstated the two because there may be something to the charges of at least one of them. Nothing more nothing less. Still in limbo.

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  12. If you've heard Hon's rhetoric, you'd see that his goal isn't to fix problems. It's to regain some sort of unity. Being that the allegations against Apuron and the NCW have not been investigated as they should've been, it's safe to say that Hon's idea of unity is unity under the NCW banner.

    While we're talking about sex abuse, fraud, and theft of property, Hon is singing Kumbaya and asking us to twiddle our thumbs in the name of the Lord.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Dear Anonymous at 9:38 am,

      As we have been telling you, the NCW is Catholic. Naturally, Archbishop Hon is not going to destroy something that is Catholic. The Pope will be the one to resolve the sexual allegations.

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    2. You claim the NCW is Catholic but why the heck is it causing so much division in the Church? And from what we've heard, it's just not happening here on Guam. Can't you all see it's the source of no unity?

      Delete
    3. Dear Anonymous at 11:23 am,

      We are not the ones causing the damage. Even now, you can see that I do not say anything negative about Archbishop Hon who was sent by the Vatican. It is the other group (the jungle) who is saying the negative stuff about Archbishop Hon and protesting. We did not chase you away from the Church. You left on your own. And now you are demanding to take back what you left. You are always welcome to come back.

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    4. So you refuse to see that the NCW is the source of the turmoil. Everything was fine here before they infiltrated. With Carmen now gone and Kiko looking like he's soon to follow, hopefully the NCW will eventually phase out and we can return to normal once again.

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    5. "We did not chase you away from the Church. You left on your own. And now you are demanding to take back what you left. You are always welcome to come back."

      Where did anon at 11.23 say they had left the Church. See, this is the trouble with you folk. You arrogantly imply that anyone that has problems with the NCW are not Catholic - either they never were, or have left. This is the proof of what your detractors say - that the NCW teaches that it is the only path to salvation, and that leaving it, or criticizing it, are the greatest sins.

      Delete
    6. I never left the church. It was you that left to join in the NCW. I still attend regularly at my parish while the NCW attends in the social hall in the back outside of the parish. Why is that?

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    7. Dear Anonymous at 4:10 pm,

      I also still attend regularly at my parish. I am able to attend BOTH the Eucharist in the Way and the regular Sunday parish Mass. Do you know why???? Because the two never conflict with each other. The Way schedules it's Eucharist so that even the members like me can continue going to regular Sunday Mass. The whole point of the Way is to not to get the parishioners to leave their parish, but to volunteer their services at the parish level so they become MORE than just parishioners who only sit in the pews every week.

      Delete
    8. Dear Anonymous at 1:05 pm,

      How can you say that everything was fine before the NCW was here? Guam used to be 95% Catholic, and this number has decreased. The Traditional Latin Mass Catholics have not done anything to address the decline nor any of the issues we faced.

      Delete