Monsignor James Benavente Cleared of Financial Mismanagement Allegations

Pacific Daily News
September 30, 2016

http://www.guampdn.com/story/news/2016/09/29/archdiocese-hold-news-briefing/91297500/

Monsignor James Benavente, standing, speaks at a press conference as Father Jeff San Nicolas looks on, on Friday, Sept. 30.

Monsignor James Benavente has been cleared of allegations of financial mismanagement and has been named pastor of St. Anthony's Church, Archdiocese of Agana spokesman Father Jeff San Nicolas announced at a news conference today.

Benavente was the former rector of the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica, before he was removed by Archbishop Anthony Apuron in July 2014. He was reinstated by Archbishop Savio Hon Tai Fai in July.

When Benavente was removed, Apuron cited financial problems in the church administration, a multimillion dollar church debt, problems with the Catholic cemetery finances and bookkeeping and missing contracts.

For several years, the archdiocese has been embattled over the removal of Benavente and Father Paul Gofigan, a land transfer worth tens of millions of dollars and conflicts between traditional Catholics and followers of the Neocatechumenal Way.

In recent months, Apuron has been accused of sexually assaulting several boys when he was a parish priest in the 1970s. He was temporarily removed by the Vatican in June.

To watch a recording from the press conference, go to the video post at the Pacific Daily News' Facebook page.