GUAM
KUAM
[with video]
by Jolene Toves
Guam – “We felt compelled to speak out after the archbishop issued a statement accusing Monsignor James of financial practices that were grave and detrimental to the Archdiocese nothing is further from the truth,” explained Joe Rivera. He was one of several people who participated in a press conference this morning on the steps of the Cathedral Basilica in Agana.
It was held to respond to, correct and refute public allegations by Archbishop Anthony Apuron of financial mismanagement.
Two weeks ago the archbishop suddenly removed Monsignor James Benavente as the rector of the Archdiocese of Agana and the director of the Catholic Cemeteries. He accused him of financial mismanagement. The archbishop in a July 29th and July 31st press release cited a letter from auditors Deloitte & Touche sent in January that determined the accounting practices especially in the catholic cemeteries are “inappropriate”. The firm had been working on audit of the archdiocese finance for over a year.
Even before the January letter from the auditors, however Rivera, Art Ilagan, and Rick Duenas were asked by Monsignor James to help address and implement accounting recommendations by the firm. Rivera during the press conference provided a paper trail of correspondence outlining the corrective actions they’ve been implementing.
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