Legionaries of Christ deliver requested information to Archbishop of Balitmore

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Comments: 10

Baltimore, Md., Aug 13, 2008 / 11:04 pm (CNA).- Archbishop of Baltimore Edwin F. O’Brien has said he has received a “rather significant volume of information” from the Legionaries of Christ following his June request for information about their membership and programs in his archdiocese.

In a June 6 letter Archbishop O’Brien wrote to the Superior General of the Legionaries of Christ, Monsignor Alvaro Corcuera Martinez del Rio, asking the leader of the prominent religious order to identify all Legionary-associated clergy, ministries, apostolates and youth programs in the archdiocese.

The archbishop had requested the information be provided within a month of his letter and asked that a Legionaries priest be appointed as a liaison to the archdiocese.

Citing a “sense of secrecy” and “seemingly heavily persuasive” recruiting methods reportedly present among Legionaries-associated programs, he also asked that no “ongoing and individual spiritual direction” be given to youths under the age of 18. He further requested that the archdiocese’s vocations office be informed of all candidates for the priesthood.

Archbishop O’Brien recently told the Baltimore Examiner that the archdiocese had a meeting several weeks ago with three priests from the Legionaries of Christ.

“They handed over a rather significant volume of information concerning membership and the programs that they run,” he said, saying that his further support for the congregation depends on their “ongoing cooperation.”

The archbishop noted he has recently written pastors to welcome approaches from representatives of the Legionaries’ lay association Regnum Christi within their parishes, “especially at the grassroots.”

Scott Brown, executive director of the Legionaries-run Woodmont Academy told the Baltimore Examiner “We are fully in agreement with what the archbishop has asked us to do.”

The Legionaries of Christ and Regnum Christi have about 70,000 members and 700 priests throughout the world.

Comments: 10

Subscriber comments:

Published by: sally
mexico 09/11/2008 01:13 PM EST

Of course LC will comply, they always do just to turn around and bend the rules. they are all not bad , I grew with them and so my kids, I like most of their teachings i just make sure my kids are aware of this same issues the Baltimore Dioscesis was concerned about, cause they are true, and they need to be able to decide by themselves if what an adult tell them is right or wrong, is it manipulative or not, even if it is a priest, they can disagree

Published by: P.
NY 08/25/2008 10:27 AM EST

I'm glad the LC's obeyed too, but that's what they always do anyway. The bishop is responding primarily to the insecurities of local clergy - which is a challenge to successful, orthodox men's orders generally.

Published by: lwestin
Cayman 08/23/2008 08:00 PM EST

I think the ArchBishop is exceedingly intelligent in his actions. He was met with whispers and concerns about the Leggionnaires, and has addressed this potentially divisive issue head -on, deliberately and openly. The Leggionnaires responded deliberately and openly. Matter closed. Perfect.

Published by: Hope F
VA/USA 08/22/2008 12:47 PM EST

In reply to Mary Spencer, I could see the bishop wanting to know all that is going on in his diocese. What I can't understand is his suspicious attitude toward a strong, Catholic order of priests in our world. How could he suspect them of brainwashing, or any cult style of recruitment.
Yes, the are "recruiting" which is something most dioceses have begun to do finally, as a result of the big priest shortage in our country! It is time we encouraged, and recruited among our young college men and even high schools. There is plenty of time for discernment - but planting the seed counts for A lot.
I pray that our diocesan seminaries fill up as have been the Legionaires'.

Published by: Nikki Cruz
Ann Arbor, MI 08/20/2008 09:27 AM EST

In response to Hope F. - I trust the bishops actions in large part due to the fact, that I, am very familiar with many of the accusations leveled against the Legion. Personally familiar. I thought he handled it rather diplomatically to tell you the truth. In taking a pro-active approach, he is placing himself under fire in order to protect many individuals, such as the ones I am close to,... who have been subjected to a darker side of the Legion. There are many holy people within it's ranks, but there is a great deal currently under investigation that many are not aware of. Trust the bishop. He has his reasons that are NOT based on hearsay.

Published by: Hope F
VA/USA 08/18/2008 12:33 PM EST

In reply to Mary Spencer, I agree that a bishop should be aware of what is going on in his diocese. However, I did find ridiculous to treat the Legionaries like "spies" who would consider illicit, illegal, immoral behavior. Perhaps the bishop would be better off investigating regular parishes within his diocese. We have many R.C. priests in our states that are acting out against canon law, or the GIRM, or even preaching heresies. Too many bishops are neglecting to take charge of their own!

Published by: clarence Sands
albuquerque NM USA 08/16/2008 09:33 PM EST

Re quirt what you can handle and encourage others to go to their bishop where priests are most needed.

Published by: Hope F
VA/USA 08/15/2008 08:09 AM EST

I too am thankful that the Legionaries have humbly cooperated with the Baltimore Bishop. I was shocked when I read how he was treating them like spies or "the enemy" almost.
Pope Benedict XVI certainly supports this holy, active, Growing order of priests, and so do many of us traditional Catholics.
I pray that these priests will pastor parishes all over our country, especially sadly understaffed, and left-wing dioceses! They are true Hope for our Church's future!

Published by: Mary Spencer
Great Britain 08/14/2008 11:49 AM EST

In response to the above the comment. I would like to point out that as spiritual father to all Catholics living in his diocese then Archbishop O'Brien was wise to find out about the work and services the Legionaries do before allowing them to work in his diocese. After all he is the one who would be held accountable and questioned by press and public if the Legionaries were using brain washing, cult style evangelism in order to recruit new members.

Published by: Mary
Caldwell, NJ 08/14/2008 09:47 AM EST

Bravo to the Legionaries of Christ! Despite being almost totally banned by the diocese, they are humbly cooperating with their requests. We are in this Faith together and for Archbishop O'Brien to reject colleagues in Christ is reprehensible. Thank you Pope Benedict XIV for your guidance.

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