The following quote came out from the Mariana's Variety regarding the Concern Catholics of Guam, Inc. According to the news report:
Ultimately, the group is calling for unity, harmony and consistent teachings in the parishes on Guam. Sablan said that instead of unity, harmony and consistency, “there is a division with different Mass services for the regular parishioners and those who are in the Neocatechemunal Way group.”
Within the Catholic community, there is a divide that has caused disagreements among family members, Sablan said. “Some family members are at odds with each other as to which is the correct way to worship God,” he said. Neocatechumenal Way teachings differ from the traditional practices to the dismay of some local Catholics who want to continue their faith the same way they were brought up, he said.
http://mvguam.com/local/news/38648-concerned-catholics-will-meet-with-vatican-delegation.html#.VKyHXk3MRMt
As anyone can see from the kind of questioning CCOG have, they listened only to one side....that of Tim Rohr and Chuck White. They say that there is division due to the different Mass services. First of all, the NCW never changed nor interrupted the regular Mass schedule. The regular Mass schedule stayed the same. Secondly, it is the Vatican who said that we can celebrate our Mass. It is in our Statutes. We can celebrate the Eucharist in small communities. So, CCOG is disagreeing with the Vatican because it was the Vatican who already said that we can celebrate in small communities.
Another issue they brought up is the teachings of the Way. How do they know that the teachings differ from the traditional teachings? How did they determine that it was different? Did they listen to our teachings or did they listen only to Chuck White?? Did CCOG ever attend the catechesis to determine whether it goes against Catholic teachings?? The Catechists teach according to the Catechetical Directory, which was approved by the Vatican. So, again, CCOG is disagreeing with the Vatican because all the teachings of the NCW came from the approved Catechetical Directory. CCOG has not spoken to any NCW member in regards to the teachings. Yet, they have already judged the teachings to be different from Catholic teachings. How did they conclude that it was different?
Wednesday, January 7, 2015
Post Removed
The last post on facebook policy was removed due to the fact that it was false. Therefore, those who have a facebook page do not have to do anything. Thank you to those who made me aware that it was a hoax.
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
The Redemptoris Mater Seminary
According to today's Pacific Daily News, it stated (the bold is mine):
A local Catholic Church - asset a former hotel worth $57 million at one time - may no longer be under the full control of the Archdiocese of Agana, government land records show.............Department of Land Management documents state that Archbishop Anthony Apuron assigned "perpetual use" of the property to the redemptoris Mater Archdiocesan Seminary and its institute for academic formation.
The seminary is under a four member "board of guarantors," incldung Archbishop Antony Aupron, according to the seminary's articles of incorporation.
I do not understand why those who oppose the Archbishop are up in arms about this? Did they not recall that Father Pius came out in August of last year explaining about the Seminary. In August, 2014, the Pacific Daily News asked this question of Father Pius:
Did the Neocatechumenal Way attempt to influence the transfer of title to the former Accion Hotel proptery in Yona from the Archdiocese of Guam to an entity whose officers are members of the Neocatechumenal Way?
Father Pius' entire response to PDN's question (the bold is mine):
Actually it is the other way around. The purchase of the Accion Hotel was proposed by the Neocatechumenal Way to the Archbishop, because in order to start the Seminary and an Institute there was a need for rooms for 30-40 seminarians, 10 Faculty Professors, four classrooms, a library for twenty thousand volumes, a chapel. The money for the purchase of the Hotel was donated to the Archdiocese by an off island benefactor who offered it with the explicit intention of erecting the Seminary and the Theological Institute. The previous owner of the hotel sold it for just 1.9 millions with the proviso that the building be used as an educational facility. Actually the Archdiocese did not put down a penny.
A local Catholic Church - asset a former hotel worth $57 million at one time - may no longer be under the full control of the Archdiocese of Agana, government land records show.............Department of Land Management documents state that Archbishop Anthony Apuron assigned "perpetual use" of the property to the redemptoris Mater Archdiocesan Seminary and its institute for academic formation.
The seminary is under a four member "board of guarantors," incldung Archbishop Antony Aupron, according to the seminary's articles of incorporation.
I do not understand why those who oppose the Archbishop are up in arms about this? Did they not recall that Father Pius came out in August of last year explaining about the Seminary. In August, 2014, the Pacific Daily News asked this question of Father Pius:
Did the Neocatechumenal Way attempt to influence the transfer of title to the former Accion Hotel proptery in Yona from the Archdiocese of Guam to an entity whose officers are members of the Neocatechumenal Way?
Father Pius' entire response to PDN's question (the bold is mine):
Actually it is the other way around. The purchase of the Accion Hotel was proposed by the Neocatechumenal Way to the Archbishop, because in order to start the Seminary and an Institute there was a need for rooms for 30-40 seminarians, 10 Faculty Professors, four classrooms, a library for twenty thousand volumes, a chapel. The money for the purchase of the Hotel was donated to the Archdiocese by an off island benefactor who offered it with the explicit intention of erecting the Seminary and the Theological Institute. The previous owner of the hotel sold it for just 1.9 millions with the proviso that the building be used as an educational facility. Actually the Archdiocese did not put down a penny.
Regarding the transfer of the title, the legal advisor of the Archdiocese, five years ago, asked that the title be transferred to the Redemptoris Mater Corporation to respect the intention of the donor and to safeguard the property. This Corporation is a ‘corporation sole’ where there is only one member, namely the Archbishop who has all power. He is assisted by a Board of Directors who overviews the daily administration. The only member, namely the Archbishop, chooses all Directors. Then there is a Board of Guarantors that guarantees that the Corporation follows the original purpose for which it was created. The Archbishop chooses, confirms or dismisses freely these guarantors.
So the Neocatechumenal Way does not and cannot (by reason of its Statutes) possess the seminary but simply ensures the formation.
The Neocatechumenal Way has helped in fact form one hundred seminaries worldwide, the most recent being in Seoul by Cardinal Andrew Yeom Soo-Jung, Primate of Korea. This means that around 30 cardinals and 70 bishops consider the formation in these seminaries excellent. In the past there were many seminaries conducted by Jesuits or Sulpicians and nobody ever thought that entrusting a seminary to a religious order would violate the diocesan nature of the seminary.
The whole discussion on the property of the Accion Hotel began two-three years ago because certain individuals wanted to sell the building to pay their debts. Actually the Archdiocese is only supporting 3 or 4 percent of the seminary’s budget, while the rest is supported by Catholics from all over the world including different foundations and Propaganda Fide.
The whole discussion on the property began two-three years ago because certain individuals wanted to sell the building to pay their debts???? I wonder who could that be????? Now, let us look at what Tim Rohr said in today's PDN. According to the PDN:
The restriction on the use of the property for a specific seminary, said Tim Rohr, a local blogger on Catholic issues and a realtor, "makes the land valueless to the Archdiocese of Agana since it now can never be mortgaged, sold, or used for any other purpose."
Oh dear......it is about money again. Oh my.......Tim Rohr is thinking about mortgage, selling the property, or using it for other purposes??? He did not understand. In the first place, the people of Guam did not purchase that property. The money for the purchase of the hotel was donated to the Archdiocese by an off-island benefactor who offered it with the explicit intention of building a seminary. Tim Rohr is actually thinking of going against the intention of what the benefactor wanted when he donated that money. The whole purpose of having that restriction is to ensure that the benefactor's wishes are granted and to prevent those from selling the seminary to pay their debts.
Furthermore, this seminary is NOT valueless. It is only valueless to Tim Rohr because he thinks in terms of money. The seminary has been a tremendous value and asset to the people of Guam in that it produces and forms priestly vocations for the island. Some of those priests are now parish priests in Guam's churches. We no longer need to spend money sending our local men to the U.S. to become priests. They can become priests here like Father Luis. We no longer need to ask for priests from the Philippines or any other country. Rather, we can help countries who are lacking priests.
Furthermore, this seminary is NOT valueless. It is only valueless to Tim Rohr because he thinks in terms of money. The seminary has been a tremendous value and asset to the people of Guam in that it produces and forms priestly vocations for the island. Some of those priests are now parish priests in Guam's churches. We no longer need to spend money sending our local men to the U.S. to become priests. They can become priests here like Father Luis. We no longer need to ask for priests from the Philippines or any other country. Rather, we can help countries who are lacking priests.
Sunday, January 4, 2015
Vatican Visitors Are Here
As you all know, the Vatican visitors are here. Let us all pray that their visit to our island will be fruitful in helping the Catholic Church so that we can find unity and reconciliation. We trust that God is in full control of His Church and will lead her where He wills..... as He has always done. :)
Opus Dei
The Neocatechumenal Way was not the only controversial group that was persecuted. Other groups such as Opus Dei also faced persecution. Below are some of the controversies surrounding Opus Dei. Note the similarities between Opus Dei and the Neocatechumenal Way: Allen describes Opus Dei as "the most controversial force in the Catholic Church," receiving both support and opposition.
Based on reports from Spain, the Superior-General of the Society of Jesus, Fr. Wlodimir Ledochowski (1866–1942), told the Vatican he considered Opus Dei "very dangerous for the Church in Spain." He described it as having a "secretive character" and saw "signs in it of a covert inclination to dominate the world with a form of Christian Masonry."[1] These allegations against Opus Dei from within well-regarded ecclesiastical circles ("the opposition by good people," as Escrivá called it), which happened time and again in its history, are considered to be some of the roots of present-day accusations coming from the most varied quarters. This is the conclusion of some writers, including John L. Allen, Jr., CNN's Vatican analyst.[2]
According to John Allen, one of the original sources of criticism of Opus Dei are some members of the Society of Jesus who did not understand the big difference between Opus Dei and the religious orders. Opus Dei is composed of ordinary lay Christians who are taking their baptism-based calling to become holy, as the first Christians did, without in any way being externally distinguished from other citizens of the Roman Empire, as Escriva explained.
Aside from this full-blown campaign in the 1940s, there were other attacks from Jesuits in the 1950s who told some Italian parents of members of Opus Dei that their sons were being led to damnation. Another Jesuit writing against Opus Dei was Michael Walsh, who later left the Society of Jesus.
Messori also blames the Jesuits and perceivedly-liberal sectors of the church for the "myth" that Opus Dei supported fascism. From its early association with the far-right Franco regime in Spain, Opus Dei has been associated with ultra-right wing regimes.
Opus dei has always focused on the lay person rather than the clergy. The organisation supports and encourages offering up everyday actions and tasks to God while living a normal life, unlike other Catholic organisations and groups which focus on specific tasks such as feeding the poor or spreading the faith through education. Priests of Opus Dei are encouraged to always wear the clerical collar while in public.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Controversies_about_Opus_Dei
The founder of Opus Dei was Josemaria Escriva. There were many controversies surrounding Opus Dei that they were even labeled a cult. Depsite these controversies, Escriva's teachings was endorsed by Popes John Paul I, John Paul II, Benedict XVI, and even Pope Francis. Ever since Escriva was declared a saint by the Vatican, not much has been heard from the opponents of Opus Dei. Their Eucharist is also celebrated differently from the regular Mass. According to Father Neil:
This past summer I personally attended Mass in at the Opus Dei shrine in Torreciudad (Spain), at London's Brompton Oratory and a Pontifical Mass in the Extraordinary Form celebrated by Cardinal Burke at the Fota Liturgical Conference in my native city of Cork (Ireland). While not everything in these celebrations would be my own cup of tea, I have no diffculty in accepting that these are valuable parts of the Church's liturgical treasury and I appreciate how they can help in the salvation of many souls. In a similar way, the minor liturgical adaptations that have been granted to the Neocatehumenal communities are precisely to help them answer to the needs of the New Evangelization and bring people back to the Church and to a fuller encounter with the Risen Lord.
http://neocatechemunal.blogspot.com/2014/03/the-danger-of-pride.html
What Father Neil pointed out in his letter is very important.
"We have a Church that today has many liturgical rites, we have a special form of liturgy for use in the former Zaire, for use by the former Anglicans and those who use the Extraordinary Form are allowed to maintain their particular liturgical spirituality and practices. What binds the Catholic Church together is not uniformity in liturgical practice, but unity in belief and faith in communion with the Successor of Peter."
Our unity in belief and faith in communion with the Pope is what unites us, not the uniformity in liturgical practice.
Wednesday, December 31, 2014
You Raise me Up
This is the same blog song I had, which was published in my blog. I am unable to restore the previous comments that were made under this blog. My apologies.
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Tuesday, December 30, 2014
CCOG Is Not Neutral
The main goal of the Concerned Catholics of Guam, Inc. is to remove Archbishop Apuron and reinstate Monsignor James and Father Paul. In the first place, Tim Rohr helped established CCOG. According to Tim Rohr: And also for the record, Msgr. James had NOTHING to do with the creation of CCOG. The idea for the CCOG began with Greg Perez. After Mr. Perez approached me about the idea, I approached Dave Sablan about joining Mr. Perez. Together, along with a few others, they came up with the idea for the corporation. But Msgr. James had NOTHING to do with it.
http://www.junglewatch.info/2014/12/a-messed-up-diocese-but-exactly-what-we.html
It is already a known fact that the goal of Tim Rohr is to remove the Archbishop, and CCOG was established by Rohr to do just that. He was behind the scenes. Also, it is known that CCOG uses Junglewatch to publish all their announcements as they fix their website (See weblink below):
http://www.junglewatch.info/2014/12/contact-ccog.html
Furthermore, their Vice President David Sablan stated the following in their press release:
“These matters are just the proverbial tip of the iceberg. Statements coming from the archdiocese cannot be relied upon, unfortunately, in light of all that has occurred these couple of years,”
http://concernedcatholicsofguam.org/news/press-release-december-9-2014/
CCOG have not even begun their investigation into the Archdiocese nor made their first "open dialogue" with the Archbishop and already they have concluded that "statements coming from the archdiocese cannot be relied upon." How did they come to that conclusion?
The interviews with Jess Lujan also showed that they have concluded that the Redemptoris Mater Seminary was NOT a diocesan seminary. Again, how did they come up with that conclusion when they have not even begun their investigation into the seminary? By what standards did they base their conclusion? Have they conducted any interviews or investigated the seminary to determine whether it is diocesan or not?
They have stated their objectives, but it appears that they have already answered some of those objectives without even doing a proper investigation. CCOG is not neutral. The organization was established by people who oppose the Archbishop. The fact that they have already answered some of their objectives without even conducting any investigation reveals their true nature.....which is to plot against the Catholic Church so they can have the Archbishop removed.
Saturday, December 27, 2014
Kiko's Private Meeting With The Pope
Recently, the Archbishop requested a private meeting with Pope Francis, and it was granted. No one knows what was discussed in that private meeting. However, the Archbishop did say a little bit about what was discussed, and he mentioned that his conversation with Pope Francis was very positive and supportive. However, no one can come up with a transcript of what was actually discussed at that private meeting. Rather, a lot of speculations were made as to what the meeting was about. Some even speculated that the Archbishop was summoned by the Pope. Others said that the discussion was about the "Father Wadeson case."
It was the same with Kiko Arguello. He also had a private meeting with Pope Benedict XVI regarding how the Way was to receive the Body of Christ. According to Catholic News Agency dated July 5, 2008 (the bold is my emphasis):
Under the old rubrics, members of the Neocatechumenal Way celebrated the Eucharist gathered around large square tables and receive Communion while seated. The new regulations are quite different, with the community celebrating Mass with a separation between the congregation and the altar and communicants receiving the Eucharist standing in their places.
It was the same with Kiko Arguello. He also had a private meeting with Pope Benedict XVI regarding how the Way was to receive the Body of Christ. According to Catholic News Agency dated July 5, 2008 (the bold is my emphasis):
Under the old rubrics, members of the Neocatechumenal Way celebrated the Eucharist gathered around large square tables and receive Communion while seated. The new regulations are quite different, with the community celebrating Mass with a separation between the congregation and the altar and communicants receiving the Eucharist standing in their places.
According to Giuseppe Gennarini, this way of receiving Communion sprang from a private meeting between Pope Benedict XVI and Kiko Arguello on May 26, 2007. The Holy Father liked the idea of the priest coming to each person with the Eucharist because it shows that Christ comes to you in the person of the priest, Gennarini said.
Private Meeting with the Pope
Was there a transcript or written record of this private meeting between Kiko and the Pope? No. But it is recorded in the news that a private meeting was indeed held between Kiko and the Pope regarding how we are to receive Holy Communion in the Way. Apparently, Kiko gave Giuseppe Gennarini some information of the things that was spoken about, but what else was said in that private meeting was not recorded nor mentioned in the news. Only Kiko and Pope Benedict XVI knows.
After this private meeting was held, a change was made in how the NCW received Eucharist in 2008. It was instructed to all the communities worldwide that we are to receive the Body of Christ with our hands standing up and then sit down. We consume the Body of Christ sitting down. This was the change that was made worldwide. And I remember in 2008 at the Beginning of the Year Retreat, it was said that we are instructed to do it this way. Why? Because this instruction came from Kiko who received the same instruction from Pope Benedict XVI.
Was there a transcript or written record of this private meeting between Kiko and the Pope? No. But it is recorded in the news that a private meeting was indeed held between Kiko and the Pope regarding how we are to receive Holy Communion in the Way. Apparently, Kiko gave Giuseppe Gennarini some information of the things that was spoken about, but what else was said in that private meeting was not recorded nor mentioned in the news. Only Kiko and Pope Benedict XVI knows.
After this private meeting was held, a change was made in how the NCW received Eucharist in 2008. It was instructed to all the communities worldwide that we are to receive the Body of Christ with our hands standing up and then sit down. We consume the Body of Christ sitting down. This was the change that was made worldwide. And I remember in 2008 at the Beginning of the Year Retreat, it was said that we are instructed to do it this way. Why? Because this instruction came from Kiko who received the same instruction from Pope Benedict XVI.
Thursday, December 25, 2014
Responding to Deacon Steve Martinez
Dear Deacon Steve Martinez,
Because you placed your email address in your comment, I cannot publish your comment. However, I copied and pasted your comment below and left out your email address.
Deacon Steve Martinez has left a new comment on your post "Open Dialogue???":
Dear Diana:
This is my second visit to your blog. I wish to advise you that you are seriously misguided in your "facts", I welcome the opportunity to meet with you and discuss face to face my comments on the Pope's message regarding dialogue. You may contact me at ___________ and we can meet at your convenience. I've nothing to fear...how about you?
Until then, have a Merry and Blessed Christmas.
Deacon Steve Martinez
YOU made this challenge "I've nothing to fear.....how about you?" This is the same challenge that the jungle always make as they call us "cowards" for remaining anonymous. You are now mimicking the rhetoric of the jungle.
There is a reason why I remain anonymous, and it has nothing to do with fear. I remain anonymous simply because I am not a fool. I have a job and family to protect. You are seriously misguided to think that we are not are being persecuted. It was the Archbishop whose tires were slashed. It is the Archbishop who feels the need for a bodyguard. It was Zoltan (a blogger who used his real name and walks in the Way) whose job was threatened by Tim Rohr because of his religious beliefs. Zoltan is a math professor and his religious beliefs has nothing to do with algebra or calculus. And it was Tim Rohr who offered a $500 reward for my identity. These are persecutions.
As for what happened to Monsignor James and Father Paul....those were NOT persecutions. Father Paul was removed from his position as pastor of Santa Barbara Church for disobedience. People lose their job everyday. That's life. Monsignor James was transferred to the Tamuning parish. Employees get transferred all the time in the Government of Guam. That's life. What happened to you also has nothing to do with persecution. You sided with a group of people whose goal is to remove the Archbishop from his position. If I did that to my boss, I would be fired too.
Those who hide are being persecuted while those who have the freedom to mock and criticize us using their real names are the persecutors. After all, it was the Jews who hid and took on false identities while the Nazis sought out the Jewish names.
You stated that you want to discuss with me face to face the Pope's message regarding dialogue???? Your true intent is to discover my identity, Deacon Steve.
A Merry Christmas to you too, Deacon.
Because you placed your email address in your comment, I cannot publish your comment. However, I copied and pasted your comment below and left out your email address.
Deacon Steve Martinez has left a new comment on your post "Open Dialogue???":
Dear Diana:
This is my second visit to your blog. I wish to advise you that you are seriously misguided in your "facts", I welcome the opportunity to meet with you and discuss face to face my comments on the Pope's message regarding dialogue. You may contact me at ___________ and we can meet at your convenience. I've nothing to fear...how about you?
Until then, have a Merry and Blessed Christmas.
Deacon Steve Martinez
YOU made this challenge "I've nothing to fear.....how about you?" This is the same challenge that the jungle always make as they call us "cowards" for remaining anonymous. You are now mimicking the rhetoric of the jungle.
There is a reason why I remain anonymous, and it has nothing to do with fear. I remain anonymous simply because I am not a fool. I have a job and family to protect. You are seriously misguided to think that we are not are being persecuted. It was the Archbishop whose tires were slashed. It is the Archbishop who feels the need for a bodyguard. It was Zoltan (a blogger who used his real name and walks in the Way) whose job was threatened by Tim Rohr because of his religious beliefs. Zoltan is a math professor and his religious beliefs has nothing to do with algebra or calculus. And it was Tim Rohr who offered a $500 reward for my identity. These are persecutions.
As for what happened to Monsignor James and Father Paul....those were NOT persecutions. Father Paul was removed from his position as pastor of Santa Barbara Church for disobedience. People lose their job everyday. That's life. Monsignor James was transferred to the Tamuning parish. Employees get transferred all the time in the Government of Guam. That's life. What happened to you also has nothing to do with persecution. You sided with a group of people whose goal is to remove the Archbishop from his position. If I did that to my boss, I would be fired too.
Those who hide are being persecuted while those who have the freedom to mock and criticize us using their real names are the persecutors. After all, it was the Jews who hid and took on false identities while the Nazis sought out the Jewish names.
You stated that you want to discuss with me face to face the Pope's message regarding dialogue???? Your true intent is to discover my identity, Deacon Steve.
A Merry Christmas to you too, Deacon.
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