Monsignor Benavente Resigns As Archbishop Delegate

By Haidee V Eugenio
Pacific Daily News
June 21, 2017

http://www.guampdn.com/story/news/2017/06/21/monsignor-benavente-resigns-archbishop-delegate/414605001/

Monsignor James Benavente, left, responds to a question during a press conference, as Archdiocese of Agana Delegate to the Apostolic Administrator Father Jeff San Nicolas looks on, at the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica in Hagatna on Monday, Oct. 3, 2016. San Nicolas announced, that as of Oct. 1, Benavente has been appointed to serve as Delegate of the Apostolic Administrator for Church Patrimony.

Monsignor James L.G. Benavente has resigned as delegate to the archbishop for church patrimony, a post he held since Oct. 1.

The position has oversight over properties of the Archdiocese of Agana, working with the reconstituted Archdiocesan Finance Council.

"I write this letter to let you know that after much prayer and reflection I have decided to tender my letter of resignation as Delegate to Coadjutor Archbishop for Church Patrimony," Benavente said in a June 16 letter addressed to Archbishop Michael Jude Byrnes.

The letter does not cite a reason for the resignation.

Benavente, when sought for comment, said he resigned from the post on his own.

"The decision was mine to make without any internal or external influence," he said in an email Wednesday morning. He declined to cite specific reasons.

The archdiocese issued a written statement Wednesday, acknowledging Byrnes received the letter of resignation. "He has not rendered any action on the resignation at this time."

Benavente's resignation comes as the archdiocese is taking stock of its assets to deal with 74 clergy sex abuse lawsuits and three other childhood sexual abuse lawsuits, each demanding $5 million or $10 million in minimum damages. Byrnes has said that even the chancery, along with non-church and non-school assets, could be sold.

Though he resigned as delegate to the archbishop, Benavente remains as pastor of Saint Anthony and Saint Victor Church in Tamuning.

Benavente was appointed delegate to the archbishop for church patrimony by Archbishop Savio Hon Tai Fai, who was running the local church temporarily after Archbishop Anthony Apuron was placed on leave, pending his canonical trial.

Apuron is accused of raping and sexual abusing altar boys in the 1970s.

Apuron in July 2014 removed Benavente as rector of the Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica over alleged financial mismanagement.

In September 2016, Hon cleared Benavente of all allegation of mismanagement. A few days later, Hon appointed Benavente as delegate to the archbishop for church patrimony.

The archdiocese recently published the names of the 15-member Presbyteral Council and the eight-member College of Consultors, both advisory bodies to the archbishop, among other things. Benavente is not a member of either group.

In his resignation letter, Benavente said he has had the wonderful opportunity to work with Archbishops Hon and Byrnes.

"Already you have done so much in such a short period of time in bridging the divide in the Archdiocese and in restoring hope and healing amongst us all," Benavente wrote to Byrnes.

He also said he will miss working with the Archdiocesan Finance Council members.

Contact: heugenio@guampdn.com