Fr. Berg leaves Legion of Christ to join Archdiocese of New York

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Comments: 13

Father Thomas Berg

New York City, N.Y., May 7, 2009 / 06:06 am (CNA).- Fr. Thomas Berg, Executive Director of the New York-based Westchester Institute for Ethics and the Human Person, announced today that he will be leaving the Legion of Christ to join the Archdiocese of New York and will continue his ministry as the head of the institute.

Fr. Berg released a brief statement explaining his decision and his motivations for the change:

“After nearly 23 years of life as a Legionary of Christ, I have discerned that it is time for me to continue following Christ in the diocesan priesthood. Although the recent revelations about the Legion’s founder, Fr. Marcial Maciel, were profoundly disturbing, my decision has actually been in the making for nearly three years.

Like so many, I have personally experienced again and again the vast amount of good which God has accomplished through Legionary priests and the congregation’s works of apostolate over the past six decades of its existence. I leave with a heart grateful to Christ who I know accepted and blessed the oblation of my years of religious consecration in the Legion.

In my opinion, the serious issues within the congregation will require its thorough reformation if not a complete re-foundation. I am hopeful that the upcoming Apostolic Visitation of the Legion will be a first step toward a new beginning for the Legionaries and members of Regnum Christi. I trust that God in his providence will lead them to holiness and enable them to do great things for Christ and his Church. For my part, I remain their friend and brother in the Lord.

My work as executive director of the Westchester Institute will continue under the direction of a new Board and no longer under the Legion’s sponsorship. By this means and through a very active ministry in the Archdiocese of New York, under our new Archbishop Timothy Dolan, I look forward to continuing to live my total consecration to Christ in his priesthood.

My hope is that this brief statement would preclude unnecessary and unwarranted speculation about the reasons for my decision. Having released it to the press, I do not plan to make any further comment on the matter at this time.”

Comments: 13

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Martin
Manchester 05/13/2009 12:41 PM EST

An inside source within the Legion has confirmed that 23 priests are preparing their exit from the congregation to form a new religous group. Fr. Alvaro has asked them to wait until the Vatican publishes its findings. However the departure of Fr. Berg has added to their determination. 15 of the Priests are Americans.

Published by: Chadwick
Minnesota 05/12/2009 10:39 PM EST

My sense is that Fr. Berg has been very charitable and kind with the LC in his comments. He spoke respectfully and truthfully about Maciel and the failings of the LC leadership. To date, they still avoid any relevant effort to deal with this disaster. Moreover, the LC continues to spin the Visitation by the Holy See as a wonderful and joyous event. Let us keep in mind that this visit will be anything but wonderful and joyous - it is a sad and adverse circumstance that brings Mother Church to their door.

Published by: S
San Antonio, TX USA 05/11/2009 09:20 PM EST

There are many others who have left Regnum Christi and the Legionaires of Christ to move on to other Apostolates and Orders as well.
According to Pope JPII's statement
"There is no room in the priesthood for those who would harm children"
Fr. Maciel should never have been ordained in the first place.
If facts were not covered up by those surrounding
Fr Maciel, this scandal would not have gone unnoticed by the last number of Popes.
Clearly, these impure acts committed by
Fr Maciel, were not an isolated incidence.
But more of a pattern of a very troubled person.
There are many other esteemed individuals that God called who have left their Orders, like Mother Theresa and Mother Nadine Brown who moved on to other Orders and still virtously kept their spiritual commitments.
I find it very disturbing that anyone would have a problem with someone who chooses to leave the Legionaries of Christ or Regnum Christi to move on and find other opportunities with other Church approved Orders or groups without scandals surrounding their founders, since we know Fr Maciel will not be Canonized.
My love and prayers go out to the innocent victims, as they move on and seek the heart of God.

Published by: Bill McKenzie
St. Louis 05/08/2009 10:01 PM EST

Rate: Good

I do not understand why several people have expressed joy at Fr. Berg's decision to leave the Legion of Christ for the Archdiocese of New York. Perhaps these people know him personally and know some history which I do not. But in general whenever a priest or religious abandons the group they have professed to be a part of it is a cause for concern. I wish him well but this is hardly a cause for joy, unless you hate the Legion of Christ and would welcome any defection.

Published by: Christine Villatura
Philippines 05/08/2009 03:06 PM EST

Well, God calls each one in the way that He wants... His design is perfect. This decision of Father Berg is shocking especially in this time that the LC is still facing this situation of their founder but if the authorities of the Diocese aloud Him to do such action it is therefore according to God´s plan. The diocese needs His service and as long as He will be a faithful servant in God´s vineyard there will be no problem. Still the LC needs their support and by being part in this congregation for twenty years his brothers and all the members are counting his help. I hope he can continue helping the group especially in this time that they are open for renovation based on the help that the Church are giving.

Well Father God bless you. You are in my prayers.

Published by: Joe
Pittsburgh,PA US 05/08/2009 08:12 AM EST

Father Berg is a true Follower of the Gospel and a very humble and compassionate Disciple of Christ. Father Berg is a man of prayer. I thank Father Berg for answering "YES" to Christ's Call to serve His Church.

Published by: Julian
Chicago, Il 05/08/2009 12:30 AM EST

I'm so pleased with F. Berg decision. I'm sure he is not the only one and, certainly, the majority will wait until after the apostolic visitation is over. Congratulations F. Berg!

Published by: Mary
Elm Grove, Wisconsin USA 05/07/2009 08:58 PM EST

We are all so proud of you Fr. Tom. Blessings from your friends in Milwaukee.

Published by: Shelly
New Orleans, LA 05/07/2009 06:15 PM EST

Fr. Thomas was chosen by God to do His will in spreading the Kingdom on Earth. When he said "yes" to this calling, he dedicated his life to serving God's people and specifically, the unborn. His recent decision is motivated by a pure heart and unwaivering commitment to fulfilling God's plan for his life. I commend Fr. Thomas for discerning a new journey in his life that started with the Legion and now spreads to serving the diocese of New York. God Bless you, Fr. Thomas! You are always in my prayers.

Published by: Peter
Los Angeles, CA 05/07/2009 05:06 PM EST

I'm disappointed with this explanation. Father Berg leaves a lot of questions unanswered. This is common place among the LC these days. Take for example Father Owen lack of retraction of his defense of Maciel and comparing Maciel to Jesus in betrayal. The timing clearly shows Father Berg is unhappy with the LC, but yet he denies it. At the center of my displeasure, he doesn't offer any explanation in the article about his reasons for leaving. 3 years in the making from what? Obviously, he was tired of the LC hierarchy and its lack of action and transparency. Unfortunately, he was the only LC priest who publicly challenged his LC brothers to an aggressive self-evaluation. Now that he is gone who will carry that banner? This is a sad day for the LC and RC. It can only mean business as usual which allowed Maciel to abuse the trust of so many of God's children. I will pray for this order, its priest, consecrated men and women and lay members, but they need to transparency, now. It only fuels the fire for hatred of the Church. Like American bishops were publicly corrected by the Vatican, the LC must publicly correct those in its order who continued the deception. This will only return the trust from God's people. The only alternative is the LC and RC joining the dying orders who have not adhered to Jesus's teaching of if much is given, much is expected of you.

Published by: Kate
Chicago 05/07/2009 04:33 PM EST

Good luck Father, God be with you always.dd

Published by: John
San Dieo, CA 05/07/2009 12:36 PM EST

Fr. Berg was my professor in Rome and I am SO HAPPY he has made this decision! He was always helpful and honest with me, and it looks like he has also been honest with himself.

I think heaven truly rejoice today!

Published by: Mary
Derby, CT USA 05/07/2009 09:19 AM EST

Rate: Good

God bless Fr. Berg, the Archdiocese of New York, and The Legionaries of Christ!

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