The Cathoholic

Legion of Christ: New Era for Order and Rome

Vatican expert Sandro Magister offers his deep analysis of the recent Vatican statement on the Legion of  Christ and what Pope Benedict has in mind. Magister found these points especially significant

*    The Pope's role

"Benedict XVI sat in on the group's work for an hour and a half, in silence, on the morning of Friday, April 30. Before leaving them, he encouraged those present to make concrete proposals, on the basis of which he would make his decisions.

But this was only the latest action in the role of absolute leadership played by Joseph Ratzinger in the case of the Legionaries of Christ. At the end of 2004, he was the one who ordered an investigation of their founder, Marcial Maciel Degollado, against the general conviction of innocence held by the entire curia at the time, and by Pope John Paul II himself. It was he, as pope, who in 2006 issued the sentence of condemnation against Maciel. It was he who in the summer of 2009 ordered the apostolic visit of the Legion.

*    Blunt statement about Father Maciel's "crimes."

*    Top Legion leadership likely to go.

"The statement also makes a severe and unprecedented judgment of the "system of relationships" constructed around Maciel, of the "silence of the entourage," of the "mechanism of defense" of his disgraceful life.

Writing that "most of the Legionaries were unaware of this life," the statement implicitly affirms that some of them did know about it.

So there will be no indulgence for the "system of power" that closed ranks around Maciel before and after his death, meaning the current central and territorial leaders of the Legion.

In particular, it is completely unrealistic to think that the ax might spare the two supreme leaders, director general Álvaro Corcuera and vicar general Luís Garza Medina."

*    "Reforming" of the Legion a "wager."

"With a great deal of realism, the working document that was discussed did not take for granted the success of the work of reconstruction that the Legion will have to accomplish. About the future, it used the word "wager."

One element of hope - according to the statement - is provided by the "great number of exemplary religious" encountered by the visitors, animated by "authentic zeal for the spread of the Kingdom of God."

But of the 800 priests of the Legion, only about 100 are now deliberately working for a "journey of profound revision." Most of them are still disoriented, traumatized by the revelations about the founder, submissive to the authority of the leaders they see as their only source of stability."

*    An independent commission will be created to study the constitutions of the Legion, and in particular to "review the exercise of authority."

*    Mexican cardinal Juan Sandoval Íñiguez, archbishop of Guadalajara--discussed as potential overseer.

*     Benedict "overturns the dominant model of recent reporting on pedophilia."

" Instead of letting its agenda be dictated by the newspapers, instead of responding case by case to the deluge of accusations, this time the Holy See has taken the initiative.

In the case of the Legionaries, it is the media that have to play catch-up with the decisions of the Vatican authorities, and of the pope in the first place. And it is hard to contest these decisions. Distinctively ecclesiastical decisions, which no earthly tribunal may co-opt. Decisions intended not only to punish, but above all to heal, reinforce, purify, reconstruct. In that order of grace of which the Church is treasury and custodian."

Legion of Christ: Vatican to Take Control

In the wake of an intensive global investigation of the Legion of Christ, the Vatican announced on Saturday that it would appoint an apostolic delegate to take control of the troubled order. The leaders of the order, who issued a belated public apology for the founder's misdeeds last month, will report to the overseer. It is not absolutely clear whether there will be re-founding -- or even the possible suppression of the order. At issue is the extent to which the order's charism, traditions and leadership have been entangled in the founder's carefully constructed cult of personality. Father Maciel's well orchestrated approach prohibited scrutiny and effectively distorted the formation of the members.The Vatican statement underscored the heart of the problem:

"The conduct of Father Marcial Maciel Degollado had consequences in the life and the structure of the Legion that are so serious as to require a journey of profound restructuring."

In the Wall Street Journal, some additional points were raised:

"During the investigation, the prelates gathered "incontrovertible" testimony against Father Maciel that showed "objectively immoral behavior" stemming from a "life entirely without scruples and authentic religious feeling," the Vatican said.

"Sincere zeal" among members of the order, the Vatican said, led them to believe Father Maciel was the victim of "calumny," or sinful slander. Members were "disoriented and profoundly pained" when Vatican investigators presented them with evidence of his conduct, the statement said.

The Vatican said the Legion created a "mechanism of defense" around Father Maciel to shield him from accusations and suppress damaging witnesses from reporting abuse. "It made him untouchable," the Vatican said.

The Vatican statement did not address whether the Legion's current leadership will face any sanctions."

UPDATE: A friend provided another translation of the Vatican statement on the Legion. This is not an official translation, but it's a good opportunity to focus on some additional issues:

"4. As a result of the Apostolic Visit, among other things, some points have clearly emerged:

a) the need to redefine the charism of the Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ, preserving the true nucleus, that of “militia Christi” which distinguishes the apostolic action and mission and that the Church must identify with at all cost

b) the need to review the exercise of authority which must be united to truth with respect to the conscience and be developed as an authentic ecclesial service in the light of the Gospel

c) the need to preserve the enthusiasm of the faith of the young members, their missionary zeal, their apostolic dynamism through a proper formation.  In fact, the disappointment in their founder could cause them to question their vocation and that nucleus of the charism that belongs to the Legion and is also their own

5. The Holy Father intends to assure all the Legionaries and member of Regnum Christ that they will not be left alone: the Church has the firm will to accompany and help them in this path of purification that awaits them.  This includes a sincere encounter with those, both in and out of the Legion, who were victims of the sexual abuse and system of power carried out by the founder.  To these individuals go the thoughts and prayers of the Holy Father along with gratitude for many in the middle of great difficulty have had the courage and constancy to demand the truth.  

6. The Holy Father thanks the Visitors for the delicate work they carried out with competence, generosity and a profoundly pastoral sensibility.  He will soon indicate the manner of this accompaniment, first by nominating His own Delegate and a Commission to study their Constitution.

The Holy Father will send a Visitor to the Regnum Christ Movement as the consecrated members have insistently requested.

7. Finally, the Pope encourages all the Legionaries of Christ, their families, the laity active in the Regnum Christi Movement in this difficult moment for the Congregation and each one of them.  He exhorts them not to lose sight of that their vocation, springing from the call of Christ and given life in witnessing His love to the world, is an authentic gift from God, a treasure for the Church and indestructible foundation upon which to build their personal future and that of the Legion."

Legion of Christ: End Game

Today, the National Catholic Reporter's John Allen reports on negotiations regarding the future of the Legion of Christ. The on-going debate includes Catholic leaders that have called for suppression of the order and those that want new leadership in some kind of "refounding" that steers members away from the cult of personality and carefully reformulates and establishes a new  charism.

As I noted yesterday, the Legion's internal implosion has now spilled into the more general problem of clergy sexual abuse. Allen notes that the Vatican can no longer approach these issues as two distinct concerns. Thus, the order's senior members, who sought to delay a final outcome until the global apostolic visitation of the Legion was completed, may wish they had opted for a speedier resolution. Writes Allen:

"In late March, veteran Italian Catholic writer Sandro Magister referred to the current leadership team of the Legionaries as a “nomenklatura that must disappear,” arguing that real renewal is “impossible as long as they remain in power.”

In addition to the pope, at least three senior Vatican officials will play a role in deciding the fate of the Legionaries: Italian Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, the Secretary of State, who is currently travelling in Chile; American Cardinal William Levada, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith; and Slovenian Cardinal Franc Rodé, prefect of the Congregation for Religious.

Rodé in particular is seen as supportive of the Legionaries and their lay branch Regnum Christi, and at an earlier stage in the process had spoken privately of hoping to issue a “certificate of good conduct” to the order and its current leadership.

In general, Vatican personnel sometimes find themselves struggling to reconcile two instincts with regard to the Legionaries. On the one hand, many believe that most Legionaries and Regnum Christi members are decent, faithful people, suggesting there’s something positive about the order worth preserving. Yet Vatican personnel also realize that especially given the events of the last month, their handling of the Legionaries will be seen as emblematic for the church’s broader response to the sexual abuse crisis.

How Benedict XVI balances those instincts will, therefore, be among the more closely watched judgment calls of his pontificate. Vatican sources say a decision could come shortly after the pope’s April 17-18 outing to Malta."

Benedict XVI and the Legion of Christ

While the global media scrambles to unearth evidence of the pontiff''s supposed  pattern of indifference to clergy sex abuse, a recent National Catholic Reporter story confirms that while he served as Prefect of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith, then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger kept the Legion of Christ at arm's length, and acted against its founder as soon as he had the chance.  Damien Thompson in The Telegraph offers some additional commentary on the Legion's massive fundraising operation that bankrolled conferences, and other projects and services for appreciative Vatican officials--thereby building considerable good will that Father Maciel later would use to his advantage. Did Maciel's powerful friends know what was going on, or were they manipulated by a brilliant con artist?

Friends and admirers of the late Pope John Paul II have worried that his legacy could be badly tarnished if his top advisers are drawn into the Legion of Christ scandal. However, in the wake of his death, the responsibility for Maciel's dark record will be passed on to other Church authorities, and it is unlikely to be placed at the door of those who fought hardest against disciplinary actions for Maciel. The cruelest irony is that it won't  matter whether it was Benedict who forced Maciel's retirement or not. Ultimately, he still will be held responsible.

During its glory days, the Legion of Christ gained credibility and influence by riding on the coattails of the beloved John Paul II. The favor was returned when the Legion's army of dynamic young priests filled  the vacuum left by the Jesuits, who once worked mightily on behalf of the pope. Now, if the Legion is truly devoted to the service of the Holy Father, its  leaders  must act decisively to take responsibility for their blind ignorance--or willing facilitation of his manipulative agenda. If they love the pope, they must act before this becomes one more crime laid at his doorstep.

UPDATE: Here is the second installment of Jason Berry's recent report on the Legion in the National Catholic Reporter.

The most interesting part of Berry's tale is his snapshot of the Legion's Mexican roots--the powerful, wealthy families that backed Maciel in the early days and the scions of these families who are now contesting his legacy. This is the stuff of tragedy, and some of it involves senior Legion authorities who continue to resist a transparent review of the damage he wrecked--even as they grapple privately--no doubt--with his impact on their own life choices.

Legion of Christ Communique: A Cult of Personality Unravals

Here are recent statements issued during the week by the Legion of Christ that acknowledge as true grave charges against the order's founder. Four years after Pope Benedict forced the founder to retire, the Legion's senior leadership is finally grappling with the impact of Fr Marcial Maciel's cult of personality on their ability to make rational, independent judgments about his legacy.

"We had thought and hoped that the accusations brought against our founder were false and unfounded, since they conflicted with our experience of him personally and his work," the statement reads.

The images that always haunt me--as I think about members of the order and their painful collision with reality--are the deeply sad stories of Father Maciel's earliest victims: the young Mexican boys placed under his supervision, far from their parents. He violated the trust of his victims, their parents, and the Church. When the boys grew up, and some gathered the courage to  publicly denounce a Catholic leader  widely viewed as a success story, they were ignored and then vilified. Thank God for their courage and the stubborn sense of self-worth that led them to persist in their testimony to the truth.

"You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." If we are real Christians and not simply acolytes in a cult, which cares more about public relations than defending the human person as the image of God, we must be prepared to acknowledge our own grave errors, and those of our very human leaders.

Some critics of the Church seek to reject the fundamental truths about the human person given to us by Christ, simply because of the grievious failings of Catholic leaders. However, the often inconvenient truths of our faith secure human dignity, and aid our efforts to atone for our own transgressions. Indeed, the deepest irony regarding the clerical sex abuse scandal is that the victims--mostly Catholics--knew they deserved better--if only because they were told so by the teachings of their faith.  God took human form, affirming our fundamental dignity and worth. God suffered and died for us so that we could live with him in eternity.  Is there another blueprint that would serve us better?  The leaders of our Church and their flock will continue to stumble until the return of the King. Christ warned us about that.