BishopAccountability.org

Church reconstituting Archdiocesan Finance Council

By Krystal Paco
KUAM
October 3, 2016

http://www.kuam.com/story/33299914/2016/10/Monday/church-reconstituting-archdiocesan-finance-council


[with video]

[with pdf]

It could be the first few steps to what could be a lengthy take back of the Redemptoris Mater Seminary. In a press conference today, Guam's Catholic church has announced they'll be reconstituting the Archdiocesan Finance Council in an effort to address the controversies surrounding the RMS. The church also provided more detail as to a complaint filed with the Guam Police Department relative to the misuse of church funds.

Just months ago, five former members of the Archdiocesan Finance Council alleged their sudden removal in 2012 wasn't because their terms were up - but because Archbishop Anthony Apuron needed to cover up a secret handover of the multimillion dollar Redemptoris Mater Seminary. In today's press conference, it appears the Archdiocese of Agana is reconstituting the AFC in hopes of getting the Yona property back.

The board will be assisted by longtime archdiocesan legal counsel Ed Terlaje. Tasked to bring back the council is Father Jeff San Nicolas, who said, "To 'reconstitute' means what the archbishop means and what my task is - to look for membership, to have a balance in our Archdiocesan Finance Council, and to look for the talents, the skills, and the experience of those individuals who can move us through this time."

The board needs four more members. Current members include Sonny Ada, Danny Quichocho, and John Weisenberger.

KUAM News files show the board was dissolved in 2014 when Monsignor James Benavente was removed as rector of the Hagatna Cathedral and director of Catholic Cemeteries. His removal followed allegations of financial mismanagement - all of which were cleared last Friday. Hours later, however, new allegations surfaced in a complaint filed with the Guam Police Department by the Catholic Cemeteries' board of directors.

The complaint alleges the misuse of over $13,000 ollars in church funds to pay for Monsignor Benavente's 20th anniversary dinner. On Monday, the church cleared Benavente's name a second time, as the church states that complaint was invalid. "The previous board of directors had approved the advancement of the funds and thus the advancement was proper and authorized," said Fr. San Nicolas, adding, "We have asked or are going to ask all board members of the Catholic Cemeteries who supported and voted for the resolution and for its release to the public to immediately resign

"We have also discovered that the resolution was not by unanimous consent by all board members, contrary to the certified statement by Attorney Jacqueline Terlaje."

Alongside his assignment as pastor of the St. Anthony's Church in Tamuning, Monsignor Benavente has also been appointed delegate of the apostolic administrator for church patrimony. Father San Nicolas clarifies the job involves church assets and properties and other financial decisions ahead.

While there's only three sitting members of the AFC, KUAM News files show one of those members may have a conflict of interest. In a previous release from the Concerned Catholics of Guam organization, they call on Danny Quichocho to resign as member of the AFC because he also sits on the board as a member of the RMS Corporation.




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