Vatican not considering ‘immediate’ action in wake of Legionaries' crisis

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Vatican City, Feb 8, 2009 / 02:01 pm (CNA).- The Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, headed by Cardinal Franc Rodé, is not considering an immediate intervention in the crisis generated by the recent announcement that the deceased founder of the Legion of Christ and Regnum Christi, Fr. Marcial Maciel, led a double life and fathered a child in the 1980s.

An official from the Congregation who spoke with Catholic News Agency explained Saturday morning that the dicastery – usually known by its short, inaccurate older name, the Congregation for Religious – has no immediate plans to intervene in the Legion of Christ. However, the official said that intervention could happen in the future in “case of necessity.”

The official explained that the dicastery usually intervenes in religious congregations in two circumstances: when it is requested by the organization itself, or when the internal crisis of an organization is perceived by the Holy See as “impossible to solve by internal means.”

When asked to describe cases of the latter, the official used the following examples: “a religious order or congregation in which a significant internal split takes place around the identity of their charism; when there is a significant number of members who question new or reigning authorities, or when economic or moral problems bring the organization to a crisis that cannot be managed by its current leadership.”

In that regard, the official cited the example of Lumen Dei, a spiritual family in which the dicastery recently intervened after the Vatican found the leadership could not deal with internal struggles.

The official explained that it is “too early” to tell if the Legionaries’ leadership is incapable of working through the crisis generated by the public acknowledgment of Fr. Maciel’s double life, and said that “there is no doubt the Church is expecting some kind of program for the future that will bring back confidence both internally and publicly.”

Asked if the dicastery would intervene if there is a “re-foundation” of the Legion, as suggested by some commentators, the official said that “‘re-foundation’ is too broad a concept to define a policy from the Congregation.”

“A ‘re-foundation’ could mean a complete renewal of their original charism and a deep scrutiny of the current leadership,” the official told CNA. “In that case, an intervention does not seem apparent.”

“But if by such a term we are speaking of a revision of the original charism, the discipline or even the name, then obviously the Congregation will have to be involved as required by the (Canon) law.”

Finally, the official highlighted that the fact that the dicastery is not announcing an intervention “in no way implies a lack of the sense of gravity of the issue.”

“It just means that any step should be decided according to the principles of charity, prudence and justice, moved by the well-being of those affected and the common good of the Church, and not in a rush to respond to short-sighted pressure.”

Comments: 17

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Sister Maureen Paul Turlish
New Castle, Delaware 07/12/2009 11:49 AM EST

The group known as the Voice of the Faithful is a group founded and composed mainly of Catholics in full accord with Canon Law. Check it out, please.

Published by: Joan
argentina 03/14/2009 01:01 PM EST

It would be a strange thing indeed if the Congregation for religious took action. They haven´t taken action on the Maciel case for more than 40 years, why should they take action now all of a sudden? What is more the head of the Congregation for Religious is a personal friend of Maciel and has been protecting him for years, why should he suddenly change now? He knew about all this years ago! So did the Sescretary of State, Sodano, also a very dear friend of Maciel.

Published by: John Lowell
USA 02/21/2009 12:40 AM EST

More than ever beset by the all pervasive puscillanimousness so characteristic of all too many so-called "good" or "orthodox" Catholics commenting on blogs on questions concerning the Church, here we have more of the weaseliness so typical of the breed. If I recall, the same pattern of excuse making accompanying the Marciel question characterized the defense set out for the warmongering of Fr. Neuhaus, a man who not only found a way to justify the unjustifiable, but one who could not quite give voice to a criticism of the Bush stem-cell compromise in 2001.

It's time Catholics set aside the observance of form and spoke forcefully about the shortcoming of those who set themselves up as spokesmen for Catholic orthodoxy, whether ReichsChurch ideologues like Neuhaus or vermin like Marceil.

Published by: GFM
St. Louis, MO 02/14/2009 11:51 AM EST

The fact that a Vatican dicastery is looking at the issue of "re-foundation" is significant. There is much more to know about Fr. Maciel, about the upper echelons of the Legion leadership, about the origins of their money, about their fund-raising, about their connections in the secular financial world, about their treatment of young men coming into the order and leaving the order, about their seminary formation and spiritual formation practices and on and on. The investigation is beginning in earnest and the Vatican already has a great deal of information about all of this to make them very concerned about the Legion's alleged charism in the world.
However, given the Pope's dedication and commitment to Catholic unity, i.e. the current situation with the Society of St. Pius X, it is unlikely that he will cut the Legion off. Thus, the possible re-foundation talk is relevant. We shall wait and see. It is entirely possible that given the Mexican call for transparency concerning the finances of the order and the sexual abuse by Maciel of young men, that the order could face dissolution. The American Catholic Press is really not following the fact that the Legion and its founder, its leaders are major stories in Mexico right now.

Published by: Amber
Wilmington, NC 02/13/2009 07:33 PM EST

Fr. Maciel's crimes are evil and have been judged by God but as a Catholic I plead for mercy on his soul. This bears no reflection on the saving of souls by many LC priests and the great RC apostolates. Many parish priests lead parishioners into sin by denying Truth to them and this can have eternal consequences! Continue to pray to Jesus through Mary for good and holy priests.

Published by: Ken
Nevada City, CA 02/10/2009 12:21 PM EST

Are all the good Holy priests that have given their lives to Christ and his Church guilty of their founder's sin?
Please remember Christian charity.

Published by: Anon
Cleveland, OH 02/10/2009 11:00 AM EST

George Weigel's explanation? Mr. Weigel has been in his customarily arrogant way lavishing praise on the Legionaries for years. Any of his arguments now are simply covering his 'blank.' Perhaps we should hear from some of the wise U.S. Bishops who long ago saw through this charade of a 'Order' and refused to let them into their diocese....

Published by: Mike
Cleveland 02/10/2009 10:26 AM EST

note to readers,
Sr. Maureen Turlish is a member of the Voise of The Faithful, an umbrella group for Dissident Catholics!

Published by: Mariam
Canada 02/09/2009 07:23 PM EST

Anything or anyone who puts the Church of Christ or an innocent victim in jeapordy should be excommunicated at once and receive the FULL force of the law. Excuses have been made for far too long. With a brother harmed as a 12 year old altar boy, and a family in pain (he kept quiet for 25 years), these attacks by weak and sick people in the Church must be removed immediately when they are found out for credability to return to the Church and the world to recognize our strength and purpose in times of adversity. The devil is attacking the church from within with a vengence. We cannot abandon her in times of trial but the Church must act on these incidents without hesitation and without emotion sending the message to priests, seminarians and ALL other clergy exactly where the lines are drawn and zero tolerance begins. We recognized that the Church is being attacked by satan and did not abandon our faith, but with each incident surfacing, we despair that someone in authority will come forward with the strength to put an end to this abuse once and for all.

Published by: Bill Daugherty
San Antonio/Texas/USA 02/09/2009 01:55 PM EST

Whoa, Sister, cease fire and holster those six-shooters! Ready-fire-aim is one of the things that got us here.

1. The headline reads Vatican but it's really one dicastery of the Vatican and it is not code for the Pope himself. We don't know much more at the end of this article than we did at the beginning.

2. The late Fr. Neuhaus acknowledged that the Congregation had to have the goods on Maciel and was deeply saddened by it, as we all should be.

3. George Weigel has offered a tautly reasoned and far more temperate slate of recommendations readers might find enlightening. .

Published by: Paul Koski
Walnut Creek/CA/USA 02/09/2009 12:55 PM EST

Let's not forget the Church always moves slowly on such matter to avoid errors. I know that's hard for the instant gratification needs of the present culture, but in the realm of eternity it is extremely wise. Then, there's the fact of Father Maciel being unable to hurt anyone else. On the other hand, I pray that the LC will move swiftly and decisively in dealing with this situation with transparency for honesty's sake. If they don't, it is business as usual under the guidance of Father Macial.

Published by: Aaron
Ireland 02/09/2009 12:48 PM EST

Mons. Rode was a good friend of Marcial Maciel's before he died, he continues to be a "friend of the Legion". It is and was customary practise - at Maciel's example - to "cultivate" the friendship of people such as Mons. Rode and Cardenal Sodano to protect the Legion.

Mons. Rode was a big presence at Maciel's 60th priestly anniversary celebrations and he continues to enjoy himself at LC festivities.

He is well looked after by the LC.

Published by: Mary
San Antonio, TX, US 02/09/2009 10:49 AM EST

Rate: Regular

The Legion had and has no charism. Their purported charism of building the Kingdom of Christ belongs to the Church. Their version was simply enthusiastic recruitment of numbers and cash using Catholicism as a cover. Its cult characteristics were its only charism.

Published by: Carlos
Cancun Mexico 02/09/2009 10:32 AM EST

earth but can you imagine the pain that is going thru the Immaculate Heart of Mary? but Her love is not as infinite as Jesus'Love, Can't you see the pain that Jesus' Divine Heart is passing thru now? Will He like us to discuss all these problems of His children in public?
Teach us Mary, show us the way to help those affected, including of course the victims. Please remember that devil means DIVISOR and all he wants us to do is fight and be divided. You are not writing to yourself, your site and blog goes to thousands! You will be accountable for all the love you had poured into it for us all, yes, love not hatred or division, even if all these accusations of Fr Maciel are true.
I invite you to express your feelings before Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament so He can take your complains, your tears and turn them into His Joy and He'll give you His Mother's Immaculate Heart to feel His and Her pain. Meanwhile I encourage you to keep THE GOOD FIGHT against the devil and his comrades which are making us to fight with each other. You have a GIFT Mary, your gift is COURAGE, keep using it for His Kingdom!
In His Eucharistic Infinite Love
Carlos

Published by: Carlos
Cancun Mexico 02/09/2009 10:17 AM EST

Dear Maria,
Thank you for your efforts to make us aware of some of Church's problems. I do have an observation for you:
I see this wonderful site a gift from the Holy Spirit to us the readers and I see you as His instrument. Therefore I invite you to review your comments. I see you proposing your blog to have different opinions on Fr.Maciel's case but you are taking 2 seats: Judge and part. You cannot make your own judgment unless is to provoke other people comments but most important you should use this CE site to show us the most important commandments: Love your God and Love your neighbor.... as much as Jesus has Loved us.
In your words one can see the resentment and anger. There is no place in your blog for that. I would like to read the different ways to help the members of the LC/RC besides praying which can sometimes be interpreted as a way to detach from our obligation of being charitable in action. I propose you to look deeply into the Immaculate Heart of Mary and ask Her to give you Her maternal feelings tours Fr Maciel and all LC/RC. If you ask for it it will be granted: "I do feel your pain as a Mother dear Mother...." So you should treat this situation and teach us how to FEEL about Fr Maciel and his children, all sons and daughters of Mary. If Fr Maciel was your son would you publicize his wrong doings? Will you defend him or at least would you trying to excuse him and blame the devil, the circumstances or even yourself? Oh Mary, thats the heart of a mother in

Published by: Tom Pernice
Gainesville, Fl USA 02/09/2009 09:56 AM EST

There is a problem in the Church, the gravity of which dwarfs Father Maciel's sexual criminality (and, incidentally, why is the media ignoring the numerous allegations of homosexual molestation by former Legionary seminarians). The greater problem to which I refer is the incessant, nuanced heresy of the "garden-variety" dissident priest within the Catholic Church. Their "crimes" ( of a spiritual nature wounding the soul) are neglected by their bishops who are responsible for the souls within their charge. This spiritual malfeasance affects more people and causes greater harm.

I intend no disrespect to Father Maciel's victims, who deserve every possible legal remedy available.

Published by: Sister Maureen Paul Turlish
New Castle, Delaware USA 02/08/2009 03:54 PM EST

Rate: Good

A very unwise decision.

Now the facts are out there and there is no way around them. Denying them, downplaying them or minimizing them in any way is impossible.

It matters not now whether of not Maciel was a favorite of Pope John Paul II or defended to the hilt by the outgoing U.S. Ambassador to the Vatican, Mary Ann Glendon or the recently deceased Father Richard John Neuhaus because those who were defamed by the Legionaries of Christ have been vindicated and thank God it has happened.

Pope John Paul II bears responsibility for not addressing the problems of Maciel as does Pope Benedict XVI. They both knew, had to know or should have know if one were even to consider that they did not know.

The buck stops somewhere and in this case it stops with both popes.

What’s next?

Pope Benedict XVI should realize that his 2006 decision to let Maciel retire to live a life of prayer and penance and let it go at that with the hope that Maciel would fade in memory after his death is no longer sufficient.

Maciel should be denounced for the totality of the harm and evil he has perpetrated and visited on others.

There should be no doubt that this group, the Legionaries of Christ, has operated for all of its existence as a religious cult and as such should be suppressed.

All LC assets should be seized by the Vatican and there should be an extensive investigation of those in administrative and leadership positions in the Legionaries.

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