Monsignor...

By Clynt Ridgell
Pacific News Center
August 05, 2014

http://www.pacificnewscenter.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=47529:video-monsignor-james-benevente-moves-out-of-hagatna-cathedral-reassigned-to-st-anthonys-in-tamuning&catid=45:guam-news&Itemid=156

VIDEO: Monsignor James Benevente Moves Out of Hagatna Cathedral; Reassigned to St. Anthony's in Tamuning

Guam - Monsignor James Benevente has moved out of the Agana Cathedral and reassigned to the St. Anthony's Parish in Tamuning. The Monsignor was recently removed as the Director of Guam's Catholic Cemeteries and Rector of the Hagatna Cathedral Basilica.

After Archbishop Anthony Apuron removed Monsignor James Benevente as the director of Guam's Catholic cemeteries and Rector of the Agana Parish for what he called "Significant accounting deficiencies in the Catholic cemeteries" Monsignor James has now been physically moved out of the Cathedrals pastoral center.

This morning the Monsignor and some close friends were seen moving boxes and furniture out of the pastoral center. The Monsignor only had this to say: "I just want to thank the people of the archdiocese of Agana and the parishioners of the Cathedral Basilica for their continued support and that's really the only comment I'd like to say. That's all I have to say thank you very much. Thank you for your prayers thank you."

 This is the latest in a string of controversial events happening as a result of what some are saying is in fighting within Guam's Catholic church. Just a few days ago the cathedral's museum was shut down and Monsignor James was instrumental in establishing the museum

 Jon Junior Calvo spoke briefly on behalf of Monsignor James. "I'm here on my personal time and my willingness. Monsignor has been a close family friend of ours and we're here to support him in this transition time,” said Calvo.

 Calvo says that Monsignor James has been reassigned to another parish on Guam. "We found out through the umatuna and through the from the Archbishop's office that he will be assigned as the Parochial Vicar for St. Anthony in Tamuning,” said Calvo.

 Calvo says that some within the Church have written to Archbishop Krebs who is the Papal Nuncio the Apostolic delegate for the Archdiocese of Hagatna. "My understanding is that for those who have written some have received email responses I would say they are informal responses but nonetheless Archbishop Krebs has responded to some of the inquiries,” said Calvo. However, Calvo couldn't elaborate on what those responses were. "As we all know the public has been very supportive of Monsignor's efforts in the Archdiocese of Hagatna particularly here at the Cathedral Basilica over the last twenty years. So, it's no surprise that many of us would come out to support him and assist him and pray for him during this time,” said Calvo adding, "For anybody to be uprooted after twenty years here at the Cathedral Basilica this is home for him. It's home for many of our parishioners so to be abruptly removed at this time it's very surprising and we wish him the best and we want to assure him that our prayers and our support will always be there for him and for the Archdiocese as a whole this is our church and we will do everything to make sure that our faith remains alive and well here on Guam.”

 Monsignor James and his staff have been moved out of the Cathedral rectory and reassigned to the St Anthony's parish in Tamuning.