BishopAccountability.org

Concerned Catholics organize to investigate archdiocese

By Jolene Toves
KUAM
December 9, 2014

http://www.kuam.com/story/27580290/2014/12/09/concerned-catholics-organize-to-investigate-archdiocese


Guam - With recent controversies emerging within the Catholic Church, a new organization led by parishoners has formed to be the voice of the Catholic community. Catholics from parishes across the island have organized to form the non-profit group called Concerned Catholics of Guam to investigate recent controversies within the Archdiocese of Agana and its management.

President Gregory Perez told KUAM News, "A small group of individuals have been hearing complaints of mistreatment of the clergy and the laity mismanagement of finances and assets of the Archdiocese of Agana they have decided to organize an organization for the purpose of addressing these actions by the leadership of the archdiocese." Over the course of a year there has been the removal of Father Paul Gofigan as the head of the Santa Barbara Church in Dededo, the removal of Monsignor James Benavente as rector based on allegations of financial mismanagement, there was also the closure of the church museum, and most recently accusations of sexual molestation against Archbishop Anthony Apuron.

Believing that these are serious problems which warrant answers and truth the officers of the group Gregory Perez, president, David Sablan vice president, Stephen Martinez treasurer, and Evangeline Lujan secretary have vowed to be a formidable voice for the community.

Sablan said, "There are too many inconsistency too many untruths mistreatment too much pain inflicted especially among the elders who had taught us to keep the faith pray heal and to take care of one another our hope is to work with our leadership to find solutions and to rebuild and to restore our archdiocese."

According to Sablan the CCOG has outlined their objectives into three groups first the clergy the religious and laity, more specifically supporting local vocations, providing a forum for laity, and encouraging the catholic faithful in belief and practice of the catholic religion. Secondly parish affairs with regards to supporting parish needs through grants and contributions, getting finances in order and to review the practices of the neo-catechumenal way to determine if the are in accordance with the Roman Catholic Church. Finally they will look at archdiocesan affairs to achieve financial transparency and order represent concern of the laity and evaluate the performance of management of the archdiocese recommending changes where necessary.

"We are going to follow the rules on how to address these issues we have canon law which is church law and we have some individuals who are very knowledgeable in canon law and so we are going to review the steps on how to resolve these issues that can be very serious in nature that could affect the Faithfull's support of our church," he explained. He adds that some of these issues may call for an investigation to bring forth clarity ensuring that the Catholic community is not in the dark, saying, "We need to help our archdiocese we need to help this archbishop however if he being the leader cannot resolve these issues to the satisfaction of the people within the confines of the precepts of the church these are the rules of the church of how we conduct ourselves as catholic then we are going to have to make some change and adjustments in leadership."

Seeing a divide in the church the concerned Catholics of Guam believes there have been radical changes that needs to be addressed and bring forth truth and answers to heal the Catholic community and church.

Members of the Catholic community who may have concerns or would like to become a member of the CCOG can contact 727-3323 for more information.




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