Category: Legion of Christ

Power Money and Mind Control

Could power, money and mind control be the missing charisms for the Legion and for Regnum Christi? The New Oxford Review opines that these “three concepts best describe the modus operandi of the Legion.”

The article confirms recent statements made by the Associated Press regarding the voluntary renouncement of decision making capacity leading to a “zombie” like existence and mentions the excessive power that has been concentrated in the hands of two leaders, particularly Luis Garza Medina. It describes the difficulties facing Cardinal Designate DePaolis as he moves ahead with his mission to resurrect the Legion (and Regnum Christi) and questions how they will be able to attract new members.

An excellent example was provided of the power plays that were utilised by Fr. Maciel and his very powerful and influential associates, including the heads of multinational companies and politicians who went to great lengths to save Fr. Maciel?s reputation and keep the truth from becoming publicly aired in Mexico.

To read the New Oxford Review article:
Click Here

Second Letter From Delegate October 20, 2010

Recently appointed Cardinal elect Velasio DePaolis has written a letter to the Legionaries of Christ and the consecrated women of Regnum Christi that has shocked and disappointed any critics or family members who were anticipating major changes to be made by the Apostolic Delegate to the Legion or to Regnum Christi in the near future.

The Delegate refers to the good that the Legion has done and is still doing, points out that the Legion has been approved by the Church, verifies that it is a work of God, points out that it is difficult to be sure that the leaders of the Legion knew anything about the founder’s misdeeds and concludes that the (Legion) charism is sufficiently clear and precise.

The original letter was written in Italian and a translation of this letter has been posted on Regnum Christi?s website at:
De Paolis Second Letter

It would seem that the Church is enabling and encouraging the Legion and Regnum Christi to continue business as usual. The recruiting, ordinations and consecrations are still happening.

The affirming tone of the letter was surprising to many and raises questions about what the Vatican intends to do or to not do in the reform process. One thing is obvious. The Vatican does not intend to come in with a big stick and clean house. The Legionary leaders are going to have to fix things up themselves and not just sit by idly waiting for the Church to impose changes. Time will tell if they are capable of achieving the necessary positive changes to create a more healthy environment.

Recent Homily by Archbishop Velasio De Paolis Presented to Legionaries of Christ Members in Rome

Dear brothers in the Lord:

Rome. July 10, 2010
In the letter of June 16, 2010, the Holy Father Benedict XVI has named me his Delegate for the Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ and has given me the task of governing your Religious Institute during such time as is necessary to complete the journey of renewal and lead it to the Extraordinary General Chapter, which will have as its main goal to complete the revision of the Constitutions. The Holy Father, while highlighting the necessity and urgency of a the way of profound revision of the charism of the Institute, expresses his desire to stay close, support and guide this way. For the Pope, the Papal Delegate is his personal delegate. This, in fulfilling its task, must act as a tangible witness of (his ) presence, so that he acts in his name to the religious family. In this family, or your congregation, the Pope recognizes the presence of a large number of members who demonstrate sincere zeal and fervent religious life. The pope does not give more details on how the delegate will fulfill its task, but refers to the necessary concretions to a later decree, which must establish some additional arrangements for the implementation of this Office. Pending such arrangements, we can already start our journey, sustained by trust and prayer, and the blessing of the Holy Father and so many good souls who esteem you and appreciate your work in the Church.

At this time I am pleased to emphasize that the Church, after having given the necessary and indispensable attention to facts, events and people, who would have radically threatened this congregation even this church, with his love filled with wisdom, inspired not by the criteria of the flesh but of the Spirit, would have omitted intervening - now the Church, moved by that same love, considers the glorious reality that is you, your congregation. The Pope, through me, now wants to accompany you on your journey, so that, without leaving you discouraged by the sad events that remain on your back, you can rejoice at your present, the gift of religious vocations, priestly and missionary that you have received . Such a vocation comes from the Heart of Jesus, from his love. He who has begun his work in the heart of every one of you, who has preserved you from the dangers that have threatened you, wants to bring it to completion. Therefore, it is first of all a matter of giving thanks to the Lord for the work he has accomplished in so many ways. Certainly, the Lord's intervention in you through the ministry of the Church has been decisive and the same Lord wants to continue now through the Church. I invite you therefore to thank the Lord for his goodness, his mercy and faithfulness.

With thanks we went to start the journey of renewal that the Holy Father invites us to. This involves taking a clear view of the situation in which we find ourselves and identifying clearly the causes which have led to internal unrest and the interior suffering of today. The Pope also shows us the way: mainly a re- consideration the charism of the institute, and more specifically the constitutional norms that are its expression and protection. The goal that the Holy Father gives us is holding an extraordinary chapter of the Congregation, in which will be approved the new text of the Constitutions. It will be an individual and communal journey, supported by a posture of humility, of intense spiritual commitment and the strengthening of vocation. We hope that the road results in a renewed commitment of fidelity to the Lord in religious life and priesthood, with an agreement that renews the covenant of love between you and the Lord, so that the Lord, in a way that the eternal fidelity of the Lord's eternal fidelity corresponds in each of you your own fidelity, with a new commitment to Him forever, in the service of his kingdom. I think that you find yourselves among those the Holy Father calls the great number of members full of zeal and fervor.

The road of renewal is not to challenge one's vocation, but to re-consider in depth and renew with a new spirit and a more intense participation's adherence to it

.

I can understand that some are going through tough times, some have already thought of other ways, and perhaps some are considering them now. The vocation is too serious to be able to take a decision on it in a moment of disorientation. It is necessary to rediscover the serenity of spirit and soul, because the decision is to be taken before God, in faithfulness to Jesus Christ, that you have chosen as king of your life. Let us be patient. With humility and faith we walk the path of renewal, let us consider together again religious consecration in the light of the charism of the congregation; Reread the constitution on which you committed your life. It has to do with freeing your lives from those elemens that can obscure your charism, so that the vocation to the profession of the evangelical counsels fully shine in all its beauty, to reinforce in your life royalty of Christ, which is manifested in fullness in the mystery of his Passover. Following Jesus, who in his way of love offers himself freely to the Father and brothers to create in his resurrected body, the new creation. Your vocation, as your congregation, is in your hands, is entrusted to your responsibility. The Church accompanies you, the Lord is merciful and generous: He gives His Spirit without measure! His grace precedes you, accompanies you and leads you to the finish.

On this journey, let us help each other in prayer, especially before the altar of the Lord, and let us encourage each other to sustain us in fidelity to Jesus, King of Kings and Lord of lords: the whole of our life.

I am pleased to entrust all of you to the heart of the Holy Mother of God and the Church, each of you personally and the entire congregation. She, founded by the Lord custody of his son and the Church, protect you and holds on their love all of you and your congregation. The Lord bless you and make his face shine upon you peace and love.

(Original text in Italian)

+ Velasio De Paolis, C.S.

Pope Grants His Delegate Sweeping Powers to Take Full Command of Legion

The decree spells out that Archbishop De Paolis:

  1. Already has been given full authority in the name of the Supreme Pontiff himself to fully control everything and everyone associated with the Legion.
  2. Will have four personal advisors initially to assist him and others may be appointed as needed
  3. May intervene whenever and wherever he chooses
  4. has the full power of approval over any acts of any of the existing leaders at every level
  5. has full power of approval over everything such as novitiate admissions and personnel changes
  6. oversees everything such as apostolic schools, novitiates and seminaries
  7. is free to obtain assistance from anyone he wants either inside or outside the Legion
  8. has full access to all information
  9. is fully accessible to everyone in the Legion
  10. Everyone in the Legion is to act in communion with the delegate.

Archbishop De Paolis asked for the decree to be distributed to the entire congregation and he authorized its publication on the Internet.

ReGAIN is grateful to the Holy Father for his recognition of the serious nature of the Legionaries of Christ situation and his willingness to accept this enormous challenge and provide a means for implementing real reforms in the Legion. We know that there will be obstacles but we offer thumbs up for giving his delegate the clout that he needs before stepping into the hornets nest.

The decree issued by Cardinal Bertone reads as follows:
DECREE
MODALITIES OF FULFILLMENT
OF THE OFFICE OF PAPAL DELEGATE
FOR THE CONGREGATION OF THE LEGIONARIES OF CHRIST

In his letter of June 16, 2010, Pope Benedict XVI:
– appointed His Excellency Archbishop Velasio De Paolis, CS, Titular Archbishop of Telepte and President of the Prefecture for the Economic Affairs of the Holy See, as his Delegate for the Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ;

– conferred on him the responsibility of governing this religious institute in his name for as long as it takes to complete its path of renewal and lead it to the celebration of an extraordinary general chapter, whose main purpose will be to bring to completion the revision of the Constitutions

;

– considered the need and urgency of a path of in-depth revision of the Institute’s charism and expressed his desire closely to accompany, sustain, and guide this process through his own personal Delegate for that Religious Family, who would both be a concrete sign of his closeness and act in his name;

– left for a specific Decree some further modalities regarding the fulfillment of this Office

.

II. Now, by this Decree, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Secretary of State, issues the following specifications and instructions approved by the Supreme Pontiff regarding the modalities in which the Papal Delegate for the Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ will fulfill his Office:

  1. The broad authority granted by the Holy Father to the Papal Delegate, to be exercised in the name of the Supreme Pontiff himself, covers the entire institute. It extends over all the superiors at the various levels (general, provincial, and local), all communities, and the individual religious. This authority regards all the problems proper to the religious Institute and the Delegate may always exercise it when in his judgment it is necessary for the good of the institute itself, even overruling the Constitutions.
  2. The superiors of the Institute at every level exercise their authority according to the Constitutions and under the authority of the same Papal Delegate. Therefore, they remain in their positions, ad nutum Sanctae Sedis, unless it becomes necessary to provide otherwise.
  3. The Institute’s superiors are to act in communion with the Papal Delegate. He is to be informed of the life of the institute, in particular the most important matters, and in addition, only he can approve the decisions of the general government itself: decisions regarding persons (admission to novitiate, profession, priesthood; appointment and transfer of personnel); apostolic and formation choices (seminaries, academic institutions, schools), and extraordinary administrative matters or the disposal of assets.
  4. If necessary, the Delegate himself may act firsthand or indicate the decision to be made in specific instances.
  5. Everyone has open access to the Delegate and all can deal personally with him. The Delegate, in turn, has the power to intervene wherever he sees fit, including in the internal government of the Institute, on all levels.
  6. As he goes about his task, the Delegate will have four personal advisors to aid him in carrying out his work according to the circumstances and possibilities. These aides may be assigned specific tasks, particularly visits ad referendum. With their help, the Papal Delegate will identify, discuss, and clarify the principal topics as they arise during the process he is called to lead.
  7. Whenever it becomes evident that certain topics, regarding either persons or things, need to be studied more deeply, the Papal Delegate may appoint study committees using either personnel internal to the Congregation of the Legionaries or competent external persons.
  8. At his own discretion, when it seems opportune or necessary, he may select someone other than his advisors to study a point or make a visit ad referendum.
  9. The paramount task of the Papal Delegate is to initiate, accompany, and complete the revision of the Constitutions. This implies a profound knowledge of the Congregation of the Legionaries, their history and development. All members of the Institute must collaborate in the revision of the Constitutions, both as individuals and communities, following a plan to be drawn up and activated from the outset. Therefore, a Commission for the revision of the Constitutions is to be created as soon as possible on the various levels of the Institute, with the participation especially of the members of the Institute itself, who must feel personally responsible for revising and rewriting their own plan of gospel living, always in harmony with the teaching of the Church. The president of the central Commission for the revision of the Constitutions will be the Papal Delegate himself.
  10. The Papal Delegate coordinates the Apostolic Visitation to the Regnum Christi Movement, following the indication of the Holy See.
  11. Appeals against acts of the superiors of the Institute will be directed to the Papal Delegate himself; regarding acts of the Papal Delegate, it will be possible to appeal to the Holy Father.

From the Vatican, July 9, 2010
Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone
Secretary of State

For those who wish to contact the Papal Delegate he may be reached at the following address in the Vatican:

Most Reverend Velasio De Paolis, CS
Prefecture of Economic Affairs of the Holy See
00120 Vatican City State
Europe

Rome Has Spoken

COMMUNIQUE ON VISITATORS OF LEGIONARIES OF CHRIST
VATICAN CITY, 1 MAY 2010 (VIS) – The Holy See Press Office today published the following communique:

To view this document on Vatican Information Services Website Click Here

  1. On 30 April and 1 May, the cardinal secretary of State chaired a meeting at the Vatican with the five bishops in charge of the apostolic visitation of the Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ (Archbishop Ricardo Blazquez Perez of Valladolid, Spain; Archbishop Charles Joseph Chaput O.F.M. Cap. of Denver; Archbishop Ricardo Ezzati Andrello S.D.B., of Concepcion, Chile; Bishop Giuseppe Versaldi of Alexandria, Italy; and Bishop Ricardo Watty Urquidi M.Sp.S, of Tepic, Mexico). The meeting was also attended by the prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, and the substitute of the Section for General Affairs of the Secretariat of State.

The Holy Father was present at one of the sessions, at which the visitors presented a summary of their reports, which had already been previously delivered.

During the visitation more than 1,000 Legionaries were interviewed, and hundreds of written testimonies examined. The visitors went to almost all the religious houses and many of the apostolic works run by the congregation. They heard, orally or in writing, the opinion of many diocesan bishops of the countries in which the congregation works. The visitors also met many members of the Regnum Christi Movement – although it was not the subject of the visitation – especially consecrated men and women. They have also received a great amount of correspondence from lay people and family members of those involved in the movement.

The five visitators spoke of the warm welcome they received and of the constructive spirit of co-operation shown by the congregation and the individual religious. Though each visitator acted independently, they came to substantial agreement and a shared viewpoint in their assessments. They testified to having met a great number of exemplary religious who are honest and talented, many of them young, who seek Christ with genuine zeal and are offering their entire lives to spread the Kingdom of God.

  • The apostolic visit was able to ascertain that the behaviour of Fr. Marcial Maciel Degollado has had serious consequences for the life and structure of the Legion, such as to require a process of in-depth revision.

    • The very serious and objectively immoral behaviour of Fr. Maciel, as incontrovertible evidence has confirmed, sometimes resulted in actual crimes, and manifests a life devoid of scruple and of genuine religious sentiment. The great majority of Legionaries were unaware of this life, above all because of the system of relationships created by Fr. Maciel, who had skilfully managed to build up alibis, to gain the trust, confidence and silence of those around him, and to strengthen his role as a charismatic founder.

    Not infrequently, the lamentable discrediting and dismissal of whoever doubted the correctness of his behaviour, coupled with the misguided conviction of not wanting to harm the good the Legion was doing, created a defence mechanism around Fr. Maciel that rendered him untouchable for a long time and made it very difficult to know his real life.

  • The sincere zeal of most Legionaries, which emerged in the visits to the houses of the congregation and to many of its widely-appreciated apostolic works, has in the past led many people to believe that the allegations, which gradually became more insistent and widespread, could not have been anything other than calumnies.

    • Thus, discovering and coming to know the truth about the founder has caused the members of the Legion surprise, bewilderment and deep pain, as the visitators have made clear.

  • From the results of the apostolic visitation the following elements, among others, have become clear:

    • a) The need to redefine the charism of the Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ, preserving its true core, that of the “militia Christi”, which characterises the apostolic and missionary activity of the Church and which is not the same as efficiency at any cost.

    b) The need to review the exercise of authority, which must be linked to truth, in order to respect conscience and develop in the light of the Gospel as authentic ecclesial service.

    c) The need to preserve, through appropriate formation, the enthusiasm of the faith of young members, their missionary zeal and their apostolic dynamism. Disillusionment concerning the founder could call into question this vocation and the core of the charism which belongs to and distinguishes the Legionaries of Christ

    .

  • The Holy Father wishes to assure all Legionaries and members of the Regnum Christi Movement that they will not be abandoned. The Church is firmly resolved to accompany them and help them on the path of purification that awaits them. This will also mean dealing sincerely with all of those who, within and outside the Legion, were victims of sexual abuse and of the power system devised by the founder. They are in the Holy Father’s thoughts and prayers at this time, along with his gratitude to those of them who, even in the midst of great difficulties, had the courage and constancy to demand the truth.
  • The Holy Father, in thanking the visitators for the sensitive task they have accomplished with skill, generosity, and profound pastoral sensitivity, reserves to himself the task of soon instructing how this assistance will be organised, beginning with the appointment of a delegate of his own and a commission to study the Legion’s constitutions

    • .

    The Holy Father will send a visitator to the consecrated members of the Regnum Christi Movement, who have insistently requested this.

  • Finally, the Pope renews his encouragement to all the Legionaries of Christ, to their families, and to all the lay people involved in the Regnum Christi Movement, during this difficult time for the congregation and for each of them. He urges them not to lose sight of the fact that their vocation, which originates in Christ’s call and is driven by the ideal of being witnesses of His love to the world, is a genuine gift from God, a treasure for the Church, and the indestructible foundation upon which each of them can build their own future and that of the Legion.

    • OP/ VIS 20100503 (1040)

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