Archbishop Hon Clears Benavente of Wrongdoing

By Jacqueline Perry Guzman
Guam Daily Post
September 30, 2016

http://www.postguam.com/news/local/archbishop-hon-clears-benavente-of-wrongdoing/article_b6f43bc2-86ce-11e6-b028-47b849db0833.html


At a press conference held yesterday morning at the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica in Hagatna, the delegate to the apostolic administrator Rev. Jeff San Nicolas announced that Monsignor James Benavente had been cleared of the allegations against him regarding irregularities and “financial mismanagement.”

Benavente has been assigned as parochial vicar of St. Anthony Church in Tamuning.

San Nicolas read from a letter written by Archbishop Savio Hon Tai Fai, the apostolic administrator of the Archdiocese of Agana.

The letter stated, “Having examined all the documents and reports made available to me, 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.”

The letter continued, “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.”

One week after Benavente celebrated his 20th anniversary as a priest, Archbishop Anthony Apuron removed him from his position as rector of the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica. Benavente was removed on July 25, 2014.

No reason was given in the decree that gave notice of Benavente’s removal; however, a source said Apuron cited “allegations of financial mismanagement” as the reason for ousting Benavente. A local blog also indicated the archbishop alleged financial improprieties before removing Benavente as rector. In particular, the allegations stem from the entity of which Benavente had oversight.

On July 26, Apuron announced that Monsignor David C. Quitugua, former vicar general for the archdiocese, would be the new rector for the Cathedral-Basilica.

Benavente's letter

In a letter published online on the JungleWatch blog by blogger and Catholic watchdog Tim Rohr, Benavente informed parish employees and others of his removal. The letter was addressed to members of the Cathedral-Basilica’s parish council, finance council and employees of the pastoral center, gift shop and Catholic cemeteries. Benavente said he had been formally removed from his assignment as rector, effective July 25.

Benavente also informed members and employees, in the same letter, that Apuron removed him from his assignment as director of Catholic cemeteries and dissolved the Archdiocesan Development Group.

Benavente headed the Archdiocesan Development Group, an umbrella organization that served the gift shop, the basilica’s museum and the basilica’s media ministries. Although the Archdiocesan Development Group was dissolved, the entities under it will, Benavente wrote, remain as part of the pastoral ministry of the Cathedral-Basilica.

He concluded his letter asking members and employees of the parish council and finance council to continue to pray for Apuron, the church and for him.

“After 20 years of service as rector of the Cathedral-Basilica, please accept my profound appreciation for your support and working relationship throughout the years,” Benavente wrote.