Monsignor Benavente "Grateful for the Vindication"
By Krystal Paco
After two long years of not having an opportunity to defend himself and his reputation, that day finally came for Monsignor James Benavente. In July 2014, one week after the monsignor celebrated 20 years as rector of the Dulce Nombe de Maria Cathedral-Basilica, Archbishop Anthony Apuron suddenly removed him from the position and his position as director of Catholic Cemeteries. Apuron accused the monsignor of mismanaging millions of dollars in church money. His prayers were answered. Monsignor Benavente announced, "That's the greatest thing we can do is to pray for those who have done us harm, and that's what I had opted to do." For two years, he's stood accused of financial mismanagement in the church. When the allegations surfaced, Archbishop Apuron didn't allow for due process. Under the direction of apostolic administrator Archbishop Savio Hon Tai Fai, Benavente's name was cleared. "I am grateful for the vindication I have received from the present administration of this archdiocese," Monsignor Benavente continued. "Having been able to respond directly to these alleged financial irregularities, we now know today that truth and justice have once again prevailed." Delegate to the administrator Father Jeff San Nicolas made the announcement in a press conference Friday morning on behalf of Archbishop Hon. "I hereby declare that Monsignor Benavente's response is found both credible and satisfactory and none of these alleged major irregularities should be held valid," he stated. But it's not a time to celebrate. According to Concerned Catholics of Guam vice president Andrew Camacho, they'll continue their pickets outside the Hagatna Cathedral, as they have for several months. He said, "There's still a lot of issues that confront the archdiocese and the Concerned Catholics of Guam are here and we are ready, willing and able to help the archdiocese in any way we can with suggestions on how to move forward." While the damage was done - and Apuron removed Benavente as rector of the Hagatna Cathedral, director of the Catholic Cemetaries, and dissolved the Archdiocesan Development Group - effective today, Benavente is the pastor of St. Anthony's Church in Tamuning. Benavente said, "It is now time to once again roll up our sleeves and be on our way in continuing the critical work in restoring, reconciling and rebuilding our archdiocese." According to KUAM News files, Apuron justified his actions towards Benavente with an audit conducted by Deloitte and Touche that revealed millions of dollars of cathedral and Catholic Cemeteries funds were mishandled. Apuron stated that given the gravity of the situation he was compelled to take urgent measures changing administration in order to end this state of affairs, which is detrimental to the archdiocese. According to Benavente, he submitted over 170 pages worth of documents to clear his name today. Camacho added by saying today's announcement is a step in the right direction, but adds the Concerned Catholics of Guam is asking the archdiocese for the status of the church's investigation of Father Luis Camacho. "There is a priest from Guam who has an issue of due process that we still need to follow up on and that would be Father Camacho, who is charged officially charged with custodial interference. When that came out in the media, the archdiocese said that there was an official investigation, an ongoing investigation. "At this point, more than a year later, we have heard nothing." Fr. Luis allegedly took a minor from school and was caught allegedly engaging in sexual contact with her.
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