The Rector

Monsignor James Leon Guerrero Benavente

Bio Data

Born on May 6, 1963
Parents:  +Joaquin Guerrero Benavente & Ester Lujan Leon Guerrero Benavente.
Siblings:  Peter, Joseph, Kin, John, Mary, and +Joyce.

Deaconate Ordination: December 18, 1993, Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica
Priesthood Ordination: July 16, 1994, Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica

Education

Santa Barbara Catholic School, Dededo; Wettengel Elementary School, Dededo; Dededo Junior High School, Dededo; John H. Still Junior High School, Sacramento, California


Diploma, John F. Kennedy High School, Tamuning, Guam

1981


Bachelor of Arts Degree with a Minor in Philosophy,
St. Joseph College Seminary, Palo Alto, California

1990


Masters Degree of Divinity, St. Patrick’s Seminary, Menlo Park, California

1994


Seminary Experience

Saint Gabriel Catholic Church; Sunset District

1991


Saint Andrew Catholic Church; S. San Francisco

1993


Pastoral Associate of Our Lady of Purification Church, Guam

1992


Office of Communication, Management, Finance &Personnel, Archdiocese of San Francisco Chancery

1993


Saint Gabriel Catholic Church; Sunset District

1994


Appointments

Rector, Dulce Nombre de Maria Cathedral-Basilica

1994-Present


Member, Archdiocesan College of Consultors

1994-Present


Member, Archdiocesan Prysbeteral Council

1994-Present


Spiritual Director, KOLG 90.9 Catholic Radio

1996-1999


Advocate, Tribunal Office

1999-Present


Member, Archdiocesan Finance Council

1999-Present


Chaplain, Guam Legislature

1995-1998


Vice Chancellor, Archdiocese of Agaña

2005-2010


Director, Catholic Cemeteries

1999-Present


Member, Archdiocesan Liturgical Commission

2001-2005


Chairman, Pilgrim Visit of St. Therese Relics to Guam

2002-2007


Chaplain, Guam Police Department

2005-Present


Chairman, National Museum of the Cathedral-Basilica Board

1998-Present


Chairman, 50th Jubilee Celebration of the Cathedral-Basilica

2008


Chairman, Archbishop Apuron’s 25th Jubilee Celebration Committee

2008


President and CEO, St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic High School

2008-2010


Member, Catholic Social Service Board of Directors

2010


Awards & Certificates

Chaplain of His Holiness by Pope Benedict XVI

2006


Negotiations for First Responders, U.S. Dept. of Justice (FBI)

2009


Alumnus, FBI Citizens Academy; U.S. Dept. of Justice

2009


Chaplain, U.S. Dept of Justice (FBI); Guam & Saipan

July 2010-Present


Memberships

Knight, Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulcher of Jerusalem

November 17, 2010