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Archbishop Hon Clears Msgr. James Benavente of Wrongdoing

By Janela Carrera
Pacific News Center
September 30, 2016

http://www.pacificnewscenter.com/local/11066

Msgr. James Benavente was fired as the rector of the Cathedral Basilica and director of the Catholic Cemeteries in 2014.

Guam - Msgr. James Benavente has been vindicated. At a press conference today and in the presence of many of Benavente's supporters, Archbishop Savio Hon Tai Fai and Father Jeff San Nicolas cleared him of any wrongdoing.

It's been two years since Archbishop Anthony Apuron fired Benavente from the position of rector of the Cathedral Basilica and director of the Catholic cemeteries. At the time he was removed, Archbishop Apuron accused Benavente of financial mismanagement.

Apuron never gave Benavente a chance to respond to the allegations. It wasn't until a few months ago that Benavente finally got that due process. And now, two years later and after a very public outcry over his removal, Benavente has been vindicated. Father Jeff San Nicolas read a statement written by Apostolic Administrator Archbishop Savio Hon Tai Fai at the press conference today.

"I hereby declare that Msgr. Benavente's response is found both credible and satisfactory and that none of these alleged major irregularities should be held valid," Hon stated. "I thus declare that the decision of his removal be considered invalid and any statement released from the archdiocese against him or any of his staff in this matter ought to be considered invalid."

For the first time since he was removed two years earlier, Benavente addressed the public.

"Having been able to respond directly to these alleged financial irregularities we now know today that truth and justice have once again prevailed," said Benavente.

At the time he was accused of mismanagement and fraud, Apuron had noted that the finances of the archdiocese were in such a mess that "an audit was impossible." Thus, the report that was used to remove Msgr. James was not an official audit.

Some of the findings of that January 2014 report, put together by accounting firm Deloitte and Touche were that the catholic cemeteries incorrectly stated assets, including land they didn't own, then used those overstated assets to secure a loan; missing documents related to $3.8 million in assets; and an increase in liability by $800,000; among other allegations.

We asked Father Jeff what were the results of the recent report he conducted that finally cleared Msgr. James of wrongdoing.

"In terms of the details in the investigation what I will say is that, right from the beginning, unfortunately the process was very askew in that so many things were published publicly about accusations against Msgr. James and that in itself was a violation of due process that he never received that. That's enough publicity, it's already out there in the media. What we're trying to do is to move forward from those things that were stated and to clear him from those things," noted San Nicolas.

Although he's been cleared and his good name now restored, Benavente won't be returning to his previous positions of rector and director of the Catholic Cemeteries.

"Msgr. James right now is the parochial vicar or has been up until today and effective today the 30th, he is now named as pastor of St. Anthony's church," announced San Nicolas.

Asked what he would like to say to Archbishop Apuron, this is what Benavente had to say.

"I always pray for the archbishop whenever I celebrate the eucharist. I remember him in my intentions and that's what I do. I've been doing that ever since and there's no reason for me to stop doing that."

 

 

 

 

 




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