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Archdiocese Names New Cemeteries Board

By Neil Pang
Guam Daily Post
October 10, 2016

http://www.postguam.com/news/local/archdiocese-names-new-cemeteries-board/article_f7a14e5a-8ec4-11e6-8e60-4be19ad209f5.html



A release from the Archdiocese of Agana named the members of the newly reconstituted Catholic Cemeteries of Guam Inc. board of directors.

Rev. Jeff San Nicolas, delegate of the apostolic administrator, announced the new members yesterday as a result of the resignation of the previous board. According to the statement, the previous board resigned on Oct. 7 at the behest of Archbishop Savio Hon Tai Fai, apostolic administrator of the Archdiocese of Agana.

The new board comprises Wayne Santos, Daniel Tydingco, Gregory Perez, John Cruz and Gerald Taitano. Additionally, Joseph Duenas was appointed as interim administrator of Catholic Cemeteries of Guam Inc. and replaced Rev. Jose Alberto Rodriguez-Salamanca, who was relieved of his duties.

The resignation of the previous board and the subsequent reconstitution came as a result of a complaint that was filed with the Guam Police Department regarding allegations of financial mismanagement against Monsignor James Benavente. Benavente had previously been removed from his post as rector of the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica in 2014 by Archbishop Anthony Apuron on grounds of financial mismanagement and was publicly defamed by the archbishop.

On Oct. 1, Benavente was cleared of all wrongdoing by San Nicolas on behalf of Hon, and was assigned as parochial vicar of St. Anthony Church in Tamuning. Following the announcement, a report was filed with GPD and the attorney general's office by the then-board of directors of Catholic Cemeteries, alleging the misuse of cemeteries funds for Benavente's 20th anniversary celebrations.

In a subsequent release, the church declared that the allegations made against Benavente in the complaint had already been addressed and had been concluded to be unfounded.

During a press conference held on Oct. 4, Hon called for the immediate resignation of all board members who voted in favor of the release of information in the complaint without the consent of the archdiocese.

During the same press conference, San Nicolas announced the appointment of Benavente to the post of Delegate of the Apostolic Administrator for Church Patrimony. The post was formed in an effort to assess the current state of the church's assets in preparation for potential litigation filed against the church by victims of child sex abuse.

'Without cause, and without proper authority'

The board of directors for Catholic Cemeteries complied with Hon's request, but not without comment.

"The board unanimously believes that its conduct related to the release of information on the misuse of cemetery funds is justified by the truth, and supported by the documentation and records maintained with the Corporation ... Because the Board has revealed the truth and abided by its obligation to protect cemetery funds, the current administration of the Archdiocese of Agana has decided to silence our Board by terminating directors without cause, and without proper authority," according to a release provided by Attorney Jacqueline Terlaje, board director of Catholic Cemeteries.

The statement, dated Oct. 9, asserted that the board of directors, though resigned, stood by their complaint and maintained their allegations of financial mismanagement against Benavente. Further, the board stated that their decision to release information was based solely on their responsibility to truth and transparency.

"While the Board contests the authority of the Delegate, and the Apostolic Administrator, during their temporary administration, to modify the constitution of the Board, this Board effectively and immediately resigns their directorship due to the request of the Delegate to turn a blind eye to the absolute misuse of funds," the statement concluded. "The Board has been requested to disregard the laws and standards governing this non-profit corporation, and in good conscience to the Church, to the truth and the laws of Guam, we decline to participate in this attempt to subvert justice for the dead, and the families who have entrusted the cemeteries to utilize the funds paid for services for the cemeteries, and not for any personal use."

Archdiocese responds

Following the release of comments by the Catholic Cemeteries board of directors, San Nicolas released a statement yesterday in response: "The Archdiocese of Agana maintains its position regarding Monsignor James Benavente as stated several times now in recent weeks," he said. "It disagrees with the former members of the board."

 

 

 

 

 




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