Archbishop responds

By Sabrina Salas Matanane
KUAM
August 19, 2014

http://www.kuam.com/story/26312159/2014/08/19/archbishop-responds

Guam - Archbishop Anthony Apuron responds to a letter written by five Catholic priests calling on him to clarify statements he made in a July 29th press release regarding his reasons for the removal of Monsignor James Benavente. 

According to Father Adrian Cristobal Archbishop Anthony Apuron had and still has every intention of meeting with Fathers Tom McGrath, Jeff San Nicolas,  Mike Crisostomo, Patrick Castro and Gus Gumataotao. The five priests as we reported wrote a letter to the archbishop dated August 4th.  They were seeking clarification on his statement in his July 29th press release explaining his decision to remove Monsignor James Benavente from his positions as rector of the Archdiocese of Agana and director of the Catholic Cemeteries. The basis for his removal? Allegations of financial mismanagement. In the statement the archbishop wrote, "I informed the Presbyteral Council, the College of Consultors and the Archdiocesan Finance Council about this situation and they expressed their support."

The five priests are part of that Presbyteral Council and in their letter to the archbishop said they disagree with his statement and it's connection with his decision to remove Monsignor James. As we reported they referred to a meeting they had with the archbishop on July 25th during which he presented the financial situation of the Archdiocese of Agana. The priests state the archbishop made no mention of his intent to remove Monsignor James and that they were not consulted on the matter. They also stated they had no opportunity to discuss or raise objection to his removal and that at no point during these proceedings was a vote or question on the matter placed on the table for discussion to come to the conclusion of our "expressed support of your decision to remove him".

According to Father Cristobal however, he tells KUAM today that the archbishop explained in detail the serious situation that the archdiocese found itself to the Presybteral Council during that july 25th meeting and he told the council clearly that he was going to take action.

Cristobal added a number of the priests expressed their surprise and concern.  Many agreed that the archbishop needed to do something about the situation. The archbishop did not, and could not, tell them what specific action was going to be taken, because he had not yet spoken to the person/s involved. Father Adrian adds, "The Presbyteral Council is an advisory body and the archbishop is not required to seek their permission with regards to assignments of priests. What was written in the press release was correct." After receiving the letter of these five priests Father Adrian adds he had in mind to speak with them in a private meeting, and he still intends to speak with them. He could not do it earlier because he went to Korea for the pope's visit. Unfortunately this letter went public and even appeared on a blog somewhere.