FORBIDDEN

I've been a little better, this year, about following stories that are being covered by the local paper. Some time this week(I'm not quite sure when the original story was covered), the paper ran a story about the Archbishop 'forbidding' mass at the friary. From what I read, he did no such thing. He has shared this with the staff at the chancery before. What he was concerned about was that people are going to use the mass at the friary as a means of worship rather than attending the services provided by their own parishes. In the letter that was sent out, he addressed these concerns.

What the public is hearing and what the bishop said are two different stories. Signs were posted on the doors of the friary's chapel stating that the Archbishop had forbidden mass to be said in the chapel and that concerns are to be addressed to his superior. The public, therefore, is attributing this decision to the fact the the Archbishop does not see a cut of the 'lemosna'(collection) being garnished by the Cappuchin friars. How can one say that? The Archbishop, being a Cappuchin friar himself, has no concern of this money. What he would like to see is this... that the faithful start to show support for their respective parishes. Right next to the friary, for example, you have Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, St. Jude Catholic Church, and Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral basilica. The Cathedral offers a noon mass(the same time as the friary). But, this mass has a very low attendance. Rather than go to any of these churches, the faithful choose to go to the friary. Why?

Working together with the Archbishop and with the priests stationed at the different parishes around the island, it is easy to see that the number of faithful within the villages is dropping. Because people choose to attend different celebrations, like the ones at the friary, the local parishes are suffering. Places of faith formation(i.e., the friary, the seminary, and convents) are supported by benefactors. Yes, we are all suffering for money. But, when it comes down to it, we should support or local parishes before we turn to institutions of faith formation.

To those people out there who see the Archbishop as a greedy and power hungry man, please try to see him for what he truly stands for. He is our shepherd. His faith is immense and something that we should pray for. In times like this, it is easy to see him as a man exercising his power. But, in this, we are wrong. I'm not saying that he is God. He is a man and can fall weak to his desires. But, that's where we need to come together as a Catholic community. We need to stand behind him, support our parishes, and most importantly, be obedient.

To those posting comments on the PDN news site, the friary has nothing to do with the Father Duenas Friars. They are two separate institutions within the Archdiocese of Agana. One is a high school, the other an institution of higher learning and faith formation.

One last thing, if it is okay to attend mass at the friary, why don't we just go and join the religious women in their masses in the monasteries or why don't we attend mass in the Redemptoris Mater seminary? You see... Religious communities of men and women usually have their own masses that are for their communities only. It allows them to grow together in faith. To be a family. You don't see people barging in to the dinners of other people's families and just making themselves at home, do you? So, we should respect the sanctity of the religious community and allow them to grow together in order to lead us in our faith.