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Archdiocese Repeats Request That Seminary Renounce Deed Restriction

By Jacqueline Perry Guzman
Guam Daily Post
September 1, 2016

http://www.postguam.com/news/local/archdiocese-repeats-request-that-seminary-renounce-deed-restriction/article_b59fa4a6-7016-11e6-8e4c-5baa2584f5d5.html

Yesterday the Archdiocese of Agana issued a response to information shared by former members of the Archdiocesan Finance Council (AFC) on Wednesday regarding the property of the Redemptoris Mater Seminary (RMS) in Yona.

The archdiocese stated in a press release, “Main points conveyed by the former Finance Council members in a news conference on Aug. 31 corroborate the position expressed by the archdiocese in an announcement on Aug. 18 by Archbishop Savio Hon Tai Fai.”

The archdiocese still insists that the community that enjoys the benefits of “perpetual use” of the RMS property should renounce such benefits granted through a deed restriction.

During a press conference on Wednesday, two members of the AFC, which was dissolved by Archbishop Anthony Apuron in January 2012, met with local media to clarify claims made against them.

Richard Untalan, former member of the council and president of CU Holdings, and Joe Rivera, former AFC member and current chief financial officer of Calvo Enterprises, presented a statement signed by other AFC members including Monsignor James Benavente, Deacon Stephen Martinez and Sister Mary Torres.

'For the benefit of all Catholics'

Untalan said that contrary to statements that the Yona land was purchased for the sole use of the Redemptoris Mater Seminary, it was actually purchased with the intention that it be used for “the benefit of all Catholics in Guam."

Because of its size, "it will allow the archdiocese to build other buildings for use by parishioners, without interrupting the operation of the seminary,” he said.

Rev. Pius Sammut claimed that the previous owner of the former Accion Hotel placed a provision on the property’s acquisition that it be used as an educational institution and that funds used in the purchase came from an off-island donor.

“This place in Yona was found and acquired without any cost to the archdiocese. He designated this site to be used as a seminary, which was after all the sole and exclusive reason for which the land was acquired in the first place,” Sammut said in an email to the Post.

Untalan responded by stating first that the AFC approved the purchase of the Yona property in 2002 by securing a loan of $2 million from the Bank of Guam.

“The previous owner did not have a proviso that the building be used for an educational facility,” Untalan said.

Correspondence

Untalan provided written evidence of correspondence between the anonymous donor and Apuron, in which the donor refused to sign a letter stating that the money was given with the intention it be used for the establishment of the RMS.

Untalan responded to the claim made by Apuron in a statement released to the media last week that the then-AFC had tried to sell the Yona property.

“The AFC denied the request of the RMS to transfer the title of the property to the RMS. Archbishop Apuron agreed and directed us to directly transmit the decision of the archdiocese to the RMS,” Untalan said.

Unbeknownst to the AFC, Untalan said that Apuron later – and in secret – made the transfer and recorded the deed restriction without any consultation as required by ecclesiastical law on Nov. 22, 2011.

Untalan speculated that the reason council members were fired was to prevent them from accidentally discovering Apuron’s actions before the documents were finalized.

The release from the archdiocese stated, “As for the hurt and wounds which the former members of the AFC had suffered due to the improper dissolution of the same council, Archbishop Hon expresses his sincerest apologies.”

 

 

 

 

 




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