GUAM
KUAM
by Jolene Toves
Guam – As the Concerned Catholics of Guam organization met with a delegation from the Vatican on island for a pastoral visit late this afternoon, the Archdiocese of Agana responds to the findings of the group’s investigation into the Redemptoris Mater Seminary – and according to Father Adrian Cristobal the multimillion dollar property remains an asset of the archdiocese, despite claims and documents provided by the CCOG.
Father Cristobal, chancellor of the Archdiocese of Agana, is responding to recent concerns raised by the group which believes the seminary property is no longer an asset of the archdiocese and that the seminary is not following its intended mission to form young men into diocesan priests.
In response to questions submitted in writing to the archdiocese, Father Adrian says that could not be further from the truth ‘this is totally false” . Father Adrian says the title is listed in the property of the Archdiocese of Agana. Matter of fact he also states that the property came into the archdiocese thanks to the Neocatechumenal Way.
He also responds to the CCOG’s contention that in December 2011 Archbishop Anthony Apuron signed off on a declaration of deed against the advice of the Archdiocese Finance Council. Father Adrian again denies those allegations. He says it was the other way around and that the council wanted to alienate the property ” in fact had the intention to sell the property to cover the debt incurred by the cathedral and catholic cemeteries.”
Father Adrian said that the establishment of a diocesan seminary and a prestigious theological institute are “goods” of such paramount importance for the life of the diocese that to think to sell the property to cover a deficit is “unthinkable and it would be irresponsible for the archbishop to even harbor that idea. The seminary and the institute are both essential to help the evangelization in the Pacific.” and cites that Canon Law 114 requires that a seminary possess the means necessary for fulfilling its goals including the stability of the property on which it is operating.
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