Guam diocese renews request for return of ownership of Seminary

The Archdiocese of Agãna, (Guam), has its responded to the concerns and information shared by former members of the Archdiocesan Finance Council (AFC) regarding the property of the Redemptoris Mater Seminary (RMS) in Yona.

statement released by the The Archdiocese on September 1 re-iterated its request that the  Neocatechumenal Way “renounce the benefits granted through a deed restriction.”

A deed restriction signed by Archbishop Anthony S. Apuron allows the Redemptoris Mater Seminary and the Blessed Diego Luis de San Vitores Catholic Theological Institute for Oceania to use the Yona property in perpetuity.

The statement says such a step would help significantly in the Archdiocese’s efforts to restore unity and build harmony between all members of the Church on Guam.

The Yona property, valued between $40 million and $75 million, is the former 100-room, oceanside Accion Hotel.

The statement also expresses Archbishop Hon’s sincerest apologies for the hurt and wounds which the former members of the archdiocesan finance council had suffered  as a result of their improper dissolution of the same council.

The former finance council members want to clear their names four years after they were abruptly terminated, in January 2012.

On Wednesday last, the dismissed members of the finance council accused  Archbishop Anthony S. Apuron of going behind their back in 2011 when the archbishop, with help from other people involved with the Neocatechumenal Way, “secretly” recorded a deed transferring a church property in Yona to the Redemptoris Mater Seminary.

They said council, during a September 2011 meeting, had denied the Redemptoris Mater Seminary’s request to transfer the title of the Yona property to the seminary.

The statement issued by the Archdiocese also made it clear that “while moving forward, the Archdiocese welcomes criticism.” 

“With discernment, acceptance and humility, we understand that criticism is a bridge that leads to improvement.”

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News category: Asia Pacific.

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