I asked Legion of Christ Father Thomas Williams, an American who has held various leadership positions in Rome for his order, including as dean of theology for its pontifical university, to comment on the future direction of the Legion in the wake of its recent admission of unspecified failings on the part of its founder, Father Marcial Maciel.
Father Williams is familiar to many American television viewers as an analyst for CBS and formerly for NBC. He's also authored a number of theology books.
Here are his responses via email this morning:
Our Sunday Visitor: It cannot have been easy for the Legion to acknowledge flaws in the founder. What precipitated it now?
Father Thomas Williams, L.C.: Shortly after the Vatican's communique of May 19, 2006 [requiring Father Maciel to retire to a private life of penitence and prayer] Father Alvaro Corcuera [Father Maciel's successor as head of the order] began an internal investigation of the charges lodged against Father Maciel. In this investigation, he discovered that Father Maciel had fathered a child, who is now in her early 20s.
OSV: In the public statements so far from the U.S. and Rome spokesmen for the Legion, there has been acknowledgement of the discovery of “surprising and difficult to understand” facts about Father Maciel’s life that were “inappropriate” for a Catholic priest. Leaks from LC/RC sources indicate that those “facts” include at least the fathering of a child. But swirling around are also the original accusations of sexual abuse of seminarians, and revived rumors of drugs and inappropriate use of congregation funds. If the “facts” discovered by the LC leadership were limited only to the mistress, one would think the Legion would make that clear. (The “rights of privacy” argument advanced by Father Scarafoni yesterday frankly rings a little hollow; it is not like the Legion needs to provide names, addresses and phone numbers of those involved.) So is it fair to read the statements as an acknowledgement that some or all of the other allegations are true, or at least suspected?
Father Williams: During the investigation it became clear that some of the charges were patently false (contradiction of dates and places, etc.) while others seemed plausible and even likely. Obviously it is never possible to know for sure what happened in the past. I do not know which of the accusations were more likely true, but what seems evident is that some of them must indeed be true.
OSV: A spokesman has already said that the congregation would not “renounce” Father Maciel as some reports had suggested. I realize there is little precedent in the history of religious congregations to imitate, but does that mean that there will be no distancing at all from the founder? Will his writings still be read as before? Will his picture remain on the wall? Will he still be called Nuestro Padre?
Father Williams: We have already begun moving his pictures from the walls. Regarding his writing, it is more complicated since they represent an integral part of the charism of the order, which the Church has approved as authentic.
OSV: On a related note, for the purposes of carrying on the charism of the Legion, how does the congregation do that considering the founder apparently led a double life? How can his teachings on the charism be reliable?
Father Williams: We have the assurance of the Church's magisterium to rely on. A number of cardinals have stepped forward to encourage us to remain strong and keep moving forward, despite the tremendous difficulties.
OSV: How was Father Maciel able to lead a double life in a religious community? Were there those on the leadership team who were aware of his sinful behavior? Do you expect that they could be disciplined?
Father Williams: Usually in both civil and religious life subjects are not responsible for the actions of their superiors, while the other may be the case. I was close to Father Maciel for years and never saw anything that made me suspicious of his activities. I think these revelations have been a shock for all Legionaries.
OSV: A U.S. canon lawyer, Ed Peters, has argued that for the Legion to move into the future in a healthy way, it should invite an apostolic visitation and thorough housecleaning. Is this likely, or at least on the table?
Father Williams: I don't know.
OSV: Is there any consideration at all to dissolve the congregation and refound?
Father Williams: None whatsoever.
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68 comments:
The question concerning the charism was excellent -- and Fr William's answer that they rely on assurances from friendly cardinals is a non sequitor. The methodology that reflects the charism was established by a duplicitous man. Rome already intervened to eliminate the 4th vow, so it would appear that the constitutions and norms are indeed subject to change, despite initial approval.
Perhaps more scrutiny would reveal how the methodology enabled the deceit, and to prove their sincerity the existing hierarchy must invite an independent investigation to that end.
John,
if you're a member of the LC's lay wing, Regnum Christi, it would be forthright of you to acknowledge it. Disclosure like that is very common among journalists
Fr Maciel deceived lc/rc members and the Catholic hierarchy with his double life; the word is "deceived", related to truth, telling the truth, being truthful. How can I be sure the Legion, his offspring is not full of deceit? How can I know his hand-picked successors are not liars and deceivers. How can I believe Fr Williams when he says?:
"Father Thomas Williams, L.C.: Shortly after the Vatican's communique of May 19, 2006 [requiring Father Maciel to retire to a private life of penitence and prayer] Father Alvaro Corcuera [Father Maciel's successor as head of the order] began an internal investigation of the charges lodged against Father Maciel. In this investigation, he discovered that Father Maciel had fathered a child, who is now in her early 20s."
How do I know he is not spinning another tale of deceit?
Forgive me, Father, but I do not believe
JC: If I were a member of Regnum Christi, I would certainly have disclosed it. I am not, nor am I a member of any other ecclesial movement except my Catholic parish.
John were you ever in the past a Regnum Christi member?
Anonymous:
To add further clarity to my first comment: nor have I ever been a member of RC or any other ecclesial movement other than a parish. (But I was in a college chapter of the Knights of Columbus.)
Excellent questions and reasonable answers.
I don't see a problem with the internal investigation which obviously has turned up some things that are being revealed and dealt with. This would seem to show good faith on the part of the new leadership.
I also don't see a problem with relying on the Vatican for guidance on future steps. The Vatican has already set out some things which the LC and RC have been implementing. This also seems to show good faith on the part of the new leadership.
In matters of faith it is not unreasonable to believe that good (charism) can come from bad (corrupt priest). God wins always.
(And no, never have been a member of any religious order or group other than parish.)
I feel for the LC/RC members...you commit your life to something and then discover that the founder was a fraud. The problem too belongs to the ecclesiastical authorities (including Pope John Paul II) who continued to leave their heads in the sand after credible allegations were made. Transparency and accountability are seriously lacking in the Catholic hierarchy. Meanwhile, it's the "little ones" who suffer.
John,
Are you or were you ever a member of the Communist Party?
How about the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy?
Excellent interview.
Anonymous, why would anyone assume that a Legionary (Fr. Williams) is lying just because another Legionary told lies? Are all Americans to be distrusted because of a lie by George W Bush or Barack Obama?
And Giselle, you have to be careful not to throw the baby out with the bathwater. The cardinals' comments support the premise that the order as a whole is sound and is an asset to the Church. And the Church's initial approval and subsequent revision of the constitutions would indicate that your proposed review has been and is being conducted.
To anonymous,
I'm not (have never been) a LC/RC member. Yet, i've met many "good" LC priests, Brothers and RC members. i don't think they should be blamed for their founder's deception. If a married man had a longtime affair, and was found out, do you believe his wife and children should be guilty of his crime, branded as deceivers ?? I do not think so.
Also, none of the LC/RC or any Catholic should commit their lives on a person (even a founder, nor a Pope) or an event (private revelation, etc.), but rather on Christ the invisible Head of the church as their foundation. I believe many LC/RC and associates were inspired by the ideal (building the army of christ here on earth) rather than solely on the founder, Fr. Marciel.
Thank you Fr Thomas LC for this excellent interview. This is very tragic and for the all the members of LC/RC, this will be a true Cross. My humble prayers and sacrifices go out to all of those who this deeply affects, including myself. At the same time, THANK YOU Jesus for all of the MANY, MANY, MANY faithful, holy, dedicated, courageous and self-sacrificing members of the Legionaries of Christ and the Regnum Christi. Our mission, blessed and approved by the Church...does not change. We will continue to strive for charity and defend and love the Church and the Holy Father. We will persevere to... Love Christ. Serve People. Build the Church
Exactly. How can we be assured his "hand picked predecessors" are not pathological liars and frauds? We can't. Send them all home, let them get psychological help. They've all been brainwashed. God help MM's soul.
It seems like we need the LC to divulge what specifically they found in the investigation. We are hearing so many different things. Are they admitting to the pedophilia? If they are, then they need to make restitution, especially in light of how his accusers were treated. Not only did they have to recover from the actions of Maciel, when they tried to bring it forward they were maligned and ignored by the Legionaries themselves.
We personally experienced this phenomena when we brought concerns forward with their apostolic schools for young boys and girls. You dare not be a critic of this group because they will literally destroy your name if they can. Healthy groups listen to critics and information from outsiders so they can improve. The Legion's methodologies are imbued with Fr. Maciel's pathologies because he developed them. It would take a very astute person to sift out the wheat from the weeds in this one.
I have been a member of Regnum Christi for 17 years. Although there are no words for how devastating this news was, I also cannot express how profoundly grateful I am to God for having called me to the Regnum Christi Movement. It has been the means for me to be formed in my faith, to grow in my love for Christ, the Blessed Mother, the Holy Father and the Church, not to mention the means to bring souls to Christ. The Legionaries and Consecrated I have come to know over the years work tirelessly to establish Christ's Kingdom in the world. What we now know in no way diminishes the charism which we received through our founder nor the mission to which we have been called.
The problem with the Legion is that Maciel's writings and whole problematic attitude of secrecy and control so permeate their foundation that it would be impossible to genuinely reform the order.
A dissolution and re-founding seems like the only plausible way forward.
John, thank you for polite response despite my blunt request.
I am a RC member, and I am deeply hurt by these events. I hurt for our priests, who have led holy lives of chastity and poverty, all while their founder led a hypocritical double life.
The LC priests I know have been a blessing in many ways. The RC way of life (prayer, commitments, friendship, apostolic work, retreats, spiritual direction,etc.)is a beautiful support to my Catholic faith. It has helped me to be a better Catholic, spouse, parent, and person.
My future in the movement depends on the response of the LC leadership. I was disappointed at the weak first response, calling Fr MM's actions "inappropriate". Father Williams' interview provided a bit of hope, but I would prefer to see the LCs "refounded" or at least see the Vatican set out some strict guidelines. I disagree that Fr MM's writings are an integral part of the charism, and anyway, I cannot bear to read his words.They scream hypocrisy to me now.
Father MM went to his grave denying the original accusations against him. We now know he was at least capable of lying, and it follows that his accusers may well have been his victims. I pray now that the LC will show them the compassion that is overdue.It's not right to hide behind the easy response, "we don't really know what happened" It will be bad for the Catholic Church and bad for the LC/RCs if this is not made right, once and for all.
I greatly appreciate the thoughtful comments here.
And I'd like to invite any former or current LC/RCers who would like to share their views in print about the future of the order to email me at jnorton[at]osv.com by the end of this weekend. I will pass your contact information to a very good reporter who is writing the story for us, Scott Alessi.
Please know that, out of fairness to our print readers, we will not consider anonymous testimonies. Thanks for your help.
Five hundred years later, we are no better than those in Massachusetts who led the witch hunts and lived in paranoia that people cannot be trusted. What this boils down to is a priest who at one time lived a good life but then the popularity and hype led to an enlarged ego and he began to take advantage of that. A human and very flawed tendency - very in this case. The hierarchy cannot watch over everyone's shoulder assuming the worst of the Church's subjects. At the same time there should have been some checks and balances. A Dominican priest told me years ago that he suspected something like this in the LC and that, like bishops decades ago, it was not only hard to believe what was being said about a priest but also difficult to address it.
Let's keep our own faults in check and not get our egos and suspicions overly inflated.
Could someone answer the question of "what is the charism"? We were formators in the Movement for over 12 years and I cannot tell you what it is.
funny how whenever someone or some organization that is conservative or traditional does anything wrong, their opponents call for resignations, or complete destruction of those people or organizations....
but whenever a liberal person or a liberal group does something wrong, it's "an honest mistake" or "just one part of their life"...
charism of the movement= form the leaders (in virtue), work person to person, use charity, integral formation, always work towards apostolates (bring others to Christ)
I see these things together as distinctly different from Dominicans, Franciscans, Marianists, Jesuits, etc.
Actually, my parishioners would certainly NOT consider me liberal. I merely assert that one organization that has done good things cannot be completely put under scrutiny just for one individual. Anonymous sounds more like those who tried to dodge all the questions that people wanted Obama to answer.
The Holy See approved of this Congration and Lay Movement and it'
s Charism as being inspired by the Holy Spirit! Although certainly, things apparently went awry for the founder Fr. Maciel. Prayers for his soul, those he allegedly abused and his daughter please!
Only Almighty God in his Omnipotence could bring about the beautiful and Holy work of LC/RC in spite of its founders human struggles (the type of sinner Jesus came to save!) Fr. Maciel must have wanted for us (Holy, fidelity to Christ and His Church) what he himself found too difficult, humanely speaking.
As recently as December 2008 Cardinal Rode brought words of great encouragement to RC in Chile, blessing RC and asking us to carry on our work!
I follow the Holy Father! May God bless us all!
As two RC members who are reeling from the recent news about Fr. Maciel's double life, my wife and I are saddened for all those in the Movement, and especially the LC Priests, Novices (new seminarians) Consecrated women. Most of them have lived, and continue to live, the lives that Fr. Maciel taught in his many writings. Their lives were transformed for the good. The fruits are countless, and you can see the Majesty of God working in their lives. It is also now obvious that God DOES INDEED make good out of bad. But, now that we know the "truth", a virtue regularly espoused by Fr. Maciel, it is the responsibility of the LofC to seek to know the full truth about the Founder, reveal the whole trught, and make amends in an appropriate and rightful manner to those who have been victimized. Although we are appalled by this scandal, we are also reminded that we are sinners, and must keep our eyes on Christ. Even though we have been deceived by Fr. Maciel's actions and duplicitous way of life, we pray for his soul...for we are all in need of God's mercy.
We do not know the circumstances surrounding this incident in Fr Maciel's life. The act itself is truly reprehensible, but what is more important than this particular act is whether or not Fr Maciel had a moment of weakness, an ongoing weakness, or simply a life of sin. I am not a Legionary, nor an RC member, though I have known Fr Maciel personally for many years (as well as Fr Alvaro, Fr Thomas, etc) and I can say that he did not live a life given over to sin in any way and to say he lived a double life is silly. Fr Maciel was a man of tremendous character and humility and by no means duplicitious. Just because he has not come out with a public confession does not make him a liar or dishonest. Nevertheless, this does not mean that he could not have had a single moment of weakness or perhaps a persistent fault that led to the present news. Regardless, what does this tell us about Fr Maciel; is he a liar or a cheat or a fraud? No. It simply means he is a man; and all men are prone to fall. It is narrow minded to say that since Fr Maciel had a defect the entire charism is a sham. By the same reasoning the Catholic Church would be a sham since there have been bishops, cardinals, and popes who have committed public crimes far greater than what Fr Maciel is being accused of. Yet, we all know that the Catholic church is indeed the Church of Christ and so is RC. Is the Church and consequently the Legion, an institution of God or an instituion of man? Well, it's both. Just because God has chosen sinners, like St Peter, to govern his works doesn't mean those instituions are not works of God. On the contrary, the humility of Christ is so profound that he chooses to subject himself willingly to the weakness' of men so that his majesty might show forth more clearly. I personally find some hope for myself in this news. In striving for holiness it is hard to believe that we might ever achieve it, because all the great saints were immaculate (with a little i), but I have so many faults. How can I ever hope to see God if I am so weighed down by my own sins? Something that is often hard to recognize is that God is truly almighty and if he chooses he can use sin as a means of sanctification, even grevious sin. This is the hope that Christ provides to all of us that we can someday be with him in heaven and it is possible that our Great King has chosen to use this fault as a means of sanctifying Fr Maciel. Lastly, please keep in mind the words of our Lord to St Mary Margret Alacoque that whosoever criticizes a priest criticizes Jesus Christ himself. It is very possible that Fr Maciel had a moment or perhaps several moments of weakness, but we must be respectful regarding how we discuss these affairs. For those of us who have known Fr Maciel personally, he has truly been a vehicle of grace and a true light on the path to heaven.
Thank you Pippa for your kind words. There are many suffering right now over all this. We have several children educated and formed by the Legionaries and we have several who are still with the Legionaries. We are not articulate, or right wing or left wing. We are just Catholics seeking Christ. We found the same Christ in the Gospels in the Legionaries and the Regnum Christi Movement...oh, everything is not perfect but we did not seek out the imperfections, we sought out Christ and found Him. I want to remind all of you that the Pope told us to carry on and Cardinal Rode (who is in charge of religious life) has told the Legionaries two things: to be faithful to the charism and to grow. So let it happen. Those of you quick to judge be careful because someday God will ask you where are your fruits. God worked with a very imperfect man and now with Rome's blessings that work is going to go on and on and believe it or not it is going to keep growing.
I think there is something that still doesn't fit right in. If she is her 20s that means that he fathered the child in his 60s. This is not something in his early days this is right in the middle of the flourishing moments of the order! Secondly, the LC spin is still coming out like they just discovered this fact. Who in LC treasury was giving MM money? How did he live his day to day life? Are there more lies? The LCs need to break from their founders decption and look truthfully at all aspects of his life.
I'm a Regnum Christi member. I'm grateful for my vocation, it's been a huge blessing in my life and my family. I trust the Church to guide us, as She always has. With faith comes peace at all times, whether difficult or easy. So I'll continue to follow Christ, who called me, and continues to call me. My prayers are for my Regnum Christi family and friends, and Christ's peace be with all you who are shaken.
I am not at all surprised to read RC members defending this guy. This guy did some really bad things, and both the LC's and RC's did some bad things. Ask around how Familia became under the arm of the LC. Ask your local directors where the RC's revenues are going. Ask yourselves what kind of people would make you take a vow of secrecy, knowing that this b.s. was going on. The LCs need to step up to the plate and disclose what they do, in fact, know. Like someone said earlier, if they don't disclose this thing will get a whole lot worse--especially in light of the Bishop of Los Angeles' cover-ups of other sex abuse scandals. Step up, LCs.
Fatherzig
I am disconcerted by your comments.
A few facts are important in the instance of Fr. Maciel:
1) there is a distinct differenct between a priest that sins against his vow of Chastity with a consenting woman and one that has a history of Plausible allegations of the sexual abuse of minors and Seminarians.
2) The re-examination of the Case of Fr. Maciel concluded with his stripping of duties (that investigation was centered around the abuse of minor seminarians) and only did not go to tribunal because of his advanced age.
3) A defense of Fr. M 'because we are all human' is not acceptable, considering the moral nature of his offense and the fact that it is 'illegal' and because of the nature of the appearance of Church protection of pedophiles (I'm not saying that is always the case.)
4) To refer to this as a 'witch hunt' is patently offensive, considering that the Vatican, the Legion themselves have acknowledged Fr. M's behaviour and stated that some allegations of sexual abuse of Seminiarians was plausible. AND considering the history of accusations there were people in the legion that HAD to have known something.
And, if there was that suspicion they had a moral duty to
a) abandone the prominence they gave to Fr. M
b) investigate fully (they the Legion, not be forced to do it by outside authorities.)
c) Make a full accounting and apology and restitution to the victims.
None of that happened. So, how can one assume good will?
Just one clarfication for Empty Clay Pot, there is no such thing as a vow of secrecy. If you have been led to believe this, you have been deceived. I believe that the fact that we even know anything about this illustrates that the Legion is disclosing all information to the public; something they are not obliged to do. In the end, we are not the ones who must pass judgment on Marcial Maciel, but Jesus Christ. The only one who truly has a claim of injury against Fr Maciel is his daughter and she is the one who has every right to know the whole truth about her father. Are we mad because Fr Maciel turned out to be something other than what we expected or hoped for? Isn't this what happened to Jesus, when the disciples realized he wasn't a militaristic messiah who was going to kick the Romans out of Israel? If Jesus truly is king, he has the right to claim all glory for himself and may have allowed Fr Maciel's defects to show up in public, so that all people will recognize the good fruit of Regnum Christi as the work of God and not a mere man. When asked by St Margaret why she was chosen by Christ to deliver his messages to the Church he replied that it was specifically because of her sinfulness and insignificance that he chose her, so that all people would know that the messages were indeed from Christ (ie they were something she wouldn't have been capable of devising on her own). Until the rest of us are prepared to have public confessions of all our numerous faults, it might be good to reserve judgment of Fr Maciel and the Legion until more facts are known.
Anonymous continues to miss my point. I am not defending Fr. Maciel; I was addressing the comments about how the LC can be trusted since its founder at whatever time during his priesthood committed these sins. The persecution I am referring to is the distrust of people in the Order, in the Church, in the human race altogether. Any organization can only be held responsible for so much of its members. Anonymous is still on a "witchhunt" as he/she continues to look for something bad in what I have written and continues to miss the point because of his anger, hatred, or prejudice.
response to Dominic:
"Just one clarfication for Empty Clay Pot, there is no such thing as a vow of secrecy."
Here is a quote from columnist Matt Abbott:
"There are two [private] vows. The first prevents a religious from criticizing any personal aspect of a superior, including his moral character. It also prevents him from listening to conversations in which a superior is being criticized. The second vow prevents religious from coveting positions in the congregation and consequently from actively seeking to obtain them."
here's a link:
http://www.renewamerica.us/columns/abbott/070907
What else would you like to call the first vow if not one of secrecy? Assuming that it was the upper echelons of the Legion who ordered these vows in the first place, is it not wrong to say that they participated and promoted the sin of omission? You could say that they didn't know any better, but given the amount of information recently released, how could they not know? Furthermore, enough with this "can't judge him" stuff--we can judge what this guy did, but the heart is another matter.
Wow. Just wow.
I'm also struck at the difference in Fr Williams' responses compared to those made by Scarafoni. It seems like a lot of ill-considered PR has been coming out of Rome recently.
The persecution I am referring to is the distrust of people in the Order, in the Church, in the human race altogether>>>
That discussion Is and should remain seperate from the Fr M. discussion right now. Don't you think Father?
And:
Anonymous is still on a "witchhunt" as he/she continues to look for something bad in what I have written and continues to miss the point because of his anger, hatred, or prejudice.>>
Framing a debate by calling someone who questions what you have said as being on a 'witchhunt' is decidedly un-intellectual and deeply offends my Dominican upbringing.
For now, until LC fully admits to the breadth of their founders faults, makes a public apology to the victims and restitution...there is no reason to call any of this a witch hunt.
Not everyone who asks questions and demands accountability is on a witch hunt.
I would encourage you to read:
http://www.12-step-review.org/
And, father, though you may suspect you understand the attitude from which a poster is coming I would encourage you to be more charitable in your responses, and groom an air of logical debate.
My responses were logical; and they were charitable of all those other good priests and members of the LC/RC whom many were attacking for simply being members of the organization - again, that was the persecution I was referring but some could not see that point. Enough said.
I am a Regnum Christi member of five years, and this news has been deeply shocking to me. I too feel the shame and anger of being betrayed by our founder, who comes off in his writings as transparently in love with the Church, completely in agreement with the moral commands, and desiring to call everyone to ever greater holiness.
To have a revelation of this sort only serves to scandalize those of us who wanted to live a particularly radical way of life -- one that is embodied by our charism -- to spend ourselves entirely to make Christ known and loved, to work in various ways to form people intellectually and spiritually. To know that the founder was guilty of deception in this one area is to immediately call into question every word he wrote, no matter how beneficial it might have seemed before. I cannot even think about him without a struggle to remain charitable. (After all, I have sinned seriously, including with deception, in my own life.)
Yet as I look at the various works going on in my area (and ours isn't a very big section) they are doing nothing but good. Everywhere our apostolates provide service to the Church as a whole in areas where there are, for now, gaps. And the women and men I personally know and work with have not a deceptive bone in their bodies, although they clearly all have their various personal failings.
So I for one am totally perplexed as to how to proceed. For me to stay in the Movement, however, I think will depend on how the superiors treat this -- how willing they are to acknowledge the incredible damage this does, how open they are willing to be with the public about the extent of our founder's misdeeds. To me it matters a great deal whether this sin was a momentary fall or only one of a habitual life of vice, and I hope that our leadership will understand this.
Last, even though I never met Fr. Maciel and though I've never broken my vows (of marriage), I want to apologize to the Church for this scandal. It is a scandal, and we are right to be outraged.
I am sad for the community and for its members. I am sad for the whole Church, as it is yet another opportunity for non-Catholics to bash the Church.
I am not in the movement myself, but have been to some of their wonderful events. I have always been blessed by my participation in those events (retreats etc.)
I was glad to read that the Legion made a statement of regret and apology.
I am scandalized by Fr Maciel's duplicity, but the one thing that I just don't get is that I have heard him referred to as a 'fraud'. I guess I just feel that it implies that he was not at all striving to live a holy life at any point during his life as their Founder; that he was malicious and deliberate, that he had no desire to lead a holy life and lead others to Christ. And to that, I say, there is no way we can know his heart. His sins were grave, no doubt, but we don't know that he didn't struggle with his temptations and sinfulness. Calling him a fraud makes it sound like his actions were deliberate and calculated. And we can't know that now.
Furthermore, despite this point, I still think that it would be inappropriate to regard him with high esteem within the community and LC schools. His writings should not be read and studied; that sends the wrong message.
My prayers are with the Legionaries and with the RC members...truly, they are a wonderful community. I pray too,for those 'decision makers' , that they will be just and upright and strengthened by God's love.
I beg to disagree Father.
Words and phrases mean things. Witch hunt always, in the English language and considering our American history, connotates something without Merit.
It is logical to discuss where the Fear and ferreting out of institutions, orders and Bishops who have in the past been ineffectual in addressing abuse crosses over into 'witch-hunt'.
That is an understandable debate.
But, to address the Issue of LC and Fr. M in that light is not appropriate at this time.
Mostly, that is due to the fact that a public accounting has not been made, or an apology to the victims. And by that I mean, by the Institution of the Legionares of Christ.
We all know that priests are humans, and as such they carry their flaws and sins and faults with them into their office.
But, anything short of a first response of humility, an openness to discuss manners underwhich an order may avoid this happening again, and sorrow are not appropriate at this time.
And, the way we use words matter. I understand that many priests are feeling defensive. I understand that many see this as another road by which the Church may be attacked. And that is probably true. Though if this one did not exist another object would be found to fill that capacity.
And because it is a 'shepherd' that has inflicted this on his people, it falls on all 'shepherds' to help mend it. Not simply rail against how human we are, not simply expound on how it will be used by those that hate the Church. That is too simplistic. And it doesn't fulfill the duty of our shepherds to help heal the sorrow and the ills that this has brought to our Wonderful Church.
God Bless
Thank you, Dominic, for defending the Legion and Regnum Christi with common sense and logic. Those two characteristics are sadly lacking in some of the above comments.
What I would say to those who are so quick to point the finger is, "Hey, you have 4 pointing right back at you." Remember what Jesus said about those who have no sin being the one to cast the first stone.
So when Christ called out the Pharisees for being hypocrites, he had "four fingers pointing back at him"? Quit defending this guy's ignoble lifestyle.
Dominic thank you for your defense of the Legionaries.
I have been a member of Regnum Christi for 20 years. I can not imagine my life without the Legion since I have become closer to Christ, the Blessed Virgin, and the Church through the movement.
I could only say wonderful things about Father Maciel.
He made a mistake and it is only God that can judge him for that.
The sad thing is that people so quickly forget how many times that Christ has forgiven them. As for me I am a sinner and am thankful that I have a loving and merciful God always ready to forgive me.
As for the rest "Whatever measure you judge a man"... and "Those of you without any sin you may cast the first stone."
As for me I will continue to love the Legion and trust that Father Alvaro will lead us all closer to Christ.
Love Christ, Serve People, Build the Church
Father Thomas Williams, Father Jonathon Morris and Dominic,
Thank you for your words of wisdom in this difficult time.
I have been a member of RC for 20 years and am very grateful for all the gifts I have received through Christ and the Legion.
Father Morris and Father Thomas reminded every viewer on EWTN last night that we follow Christ as our leader. Father Maciel was the instrument God used to bring us all closer to him and the Church.
I pray for all our priests, consecrated, and RC members. God will continue to bless us and help us to heal and grow.
Love Christ, Serve People, Build the Church.
Well said Dominic. I am quite concerned with the state of Fr. Maciel's soul - actually. Our Lady in many of her appearances agonizes over and urges us to pray for the state of the priest's soul. No one but the Lord knows how Fr MM died, how he lived, and to what extent his failings pervaded his own personal life or the LC/RC's. I do know that he likely needs much prayer for his soul, as we would pray for any priest who has died. I have never been a member of RC, but have known many of the LC's and RC's. Although I've had my own personal doubts about this particular movement, this news saddened me greatly.
Why does everyone say they feel sorry for the LC/RC and not the victims of Fr. Maciel? They were victimized twice, first by Maciel and again by the LC and Maciel's high profile defenders who accused them of false witness. Jason Berry and Gerald Renner broke this story years ago in the pages of the National Catholic Reporter. They were repeatedly denounced as agents of anti-Catholic animus. The LC/RC owe them and Maciel's victims a big apology.
I do understand that Legion answers and comments by others are intended as sincere. I understand that many are expressing pain.
Let me say as a friend, little of this rings true. It is no comfort, to say "all men are sinners" or "he was flawed." Any virtue of this man's writings and thoughts do not lighten the weight of his crimes: quite the opposite, his offenses are magnified.
You do not convey Christ's mercy or forgiveness. You convey an incompetence, an inability to safeguard young persons entrusted to you. I hope the League will do the only honorable things left to it, to donate the proceeds of your assets to your victims, to vigorously investigate this man's accomplices and dissolve his organization.
I am not Catholic (i.e., not Roman Catholic, not Byzantine Rite Catholic, etc., etc.). FWIW I am a co-operator of Opus Dei. I know extremely little of LC, having not heard of it until the recent events. If my question is ill framed or inappropriate, please ignore it in charitable silence.
The question is this: In the various blogs and news items I have read, people have been discussing formal organizational actions (taking pictures down, reorganizing LC, dissolving LC) and some individual actions (asking forgiveness, etc.). What I have not seen mentioned is some sort of corporate spiritual response. The model that pops into my head (probably inappropriately) is Ninevah upon hearing Job's prophetic words there -- sackcloth and ashes. Are there Catholic practices or precedents or traditions for some sort of whole-group public mourning, public repentance, abject prayer for guidance, etc., not just for one Sunday or something but perhaps for forty days?
I do not intend the question to be hostile. It just seems to me that there is possibly another realm of action available, towards which I am clumsily pointing. But I am an outsider and am not an expert on anything and my words should be charitably ignored if they seem harmful.
Sorry, I meant "Jonah."
I am RC.
I am sick of responses (many, I suspect, from ardent RCs) which say "judge not, we're all sinners". I can certainly be disillusioned with MM without it being called "judgment". We may all be sinners, but I do not put myself in the same class as MM. I strive sincerely to grow in virtue, overcome my vice. I examine my conscience daily, and I have developed the sensitive conscience RC members strive for.When I sin, it is something that pains my sensitive conscience, and I confess it, every 2 weeks, and I genuinely and sincerely work to overcome that sin. MM's relationship with this woman was not isolated. It was not a one time sin which he then confessed and tried to overcome. He lived it in prolonged secrecy. The greater number of offences by MM against young men (reported by the Vatican to be more than 20 but less than 100)shows another prolonged period of deception, and then, when "caught" (so to speak) his denials inflicted further harm to victims, and induced the L of C to unwittingly victimize the victims through a strenuous defence of the founder. This represents a puzzling but unmistakeable lack of intent to live in communion with God on the part of the founder. I am trying to make sense of it, not judge it.
Why does this revictimization of victims (by treating them as liars and failing to offer support to them) not bother some of my RC brothers and sisters? Have you no mercy? And now, knowing what they know, why are you not outraged at limp responses from the L of C, like Scarafini's statement that the LofC has no plans to apologize to any alleged abuse victims, for "surely they have found the help they need by now" - Huh? Callous much?
Another one I hear is how other orders have had flawed founders. What? Are we resorting to relativism now? I guess I can say "I shouldn't have gossipped, but don't judge me, everyone does it!"
I have even heard people say "look at Peter, he denied Christ 3 times!" In Peter's case, I think HE was sorry, sorry enough that Jesus said "On this rock I will build my church". Not quite the same as if Peter had denied his denial, and kept right on hurting Christ, right?
I beg you, before you defend MM, read the most recent and thoughtful letters from Fr Thomas Berg, LC, Fr Richard Gill, LC, Jay Dunlap, Fr Owen Kearns, as well as the EWTN interview of Fr Thomas Williams, LC and Fr Jonathan Morris, LC. There is really no need for any RCs to feel a need to act cultish in their defence of MM. Our own priests are beginning to speak out.
Use your God given ability to think and reason.
Thank God! That is all I can say: thank God for "Anonymous" and his statement. With breath and sense like this, perhaps there is hope for the Legion and Regnum Christi. Thank God. I cannot tell you enough how grateful I am for this person's integrity and courage to grapple with MM's scandalous actions. Thank God. I am going to pray hard for this person tonight, that the Lord would continue to shower him with blessing upon blessing. Thank God for this person's stunning example of true "Gospel Charity." Thank God.
I would like to encourage all RC members to maintain your faith in RC and know that it is truly the work of God, regardless of how it's founder may have behaved. Please continue reading the spirituality, because those letters are letters from God to each of you. Fr Maciel was merely the instrument used to put them into writing, much like a typewritter or pencil. Without those letters there is no RC. Fr Maciel's writings cannot be separated from RC without destroying it. The key to living fruitful lives as RC members is to take those letters and unite them to your hearts. Put aside the actions of the man who wrote them and look with faith into the meaning of the letters. Fr Maciel may have let many people down, but there is a group of LCs who love you, fight for you, and suffer deeply for you on a daily basis so that these riches will be accessible to all of you. For many of us, serving you has been the great joy of our lives. These LCs are indeed your true heroes and without a doubt, the vast majority of them are genuine saints. If you only knew the sacrifices that these men make on a daily basis for you and how many pray for you by name each day. The insecurity, confusion, and outrage many feel is understandable, but this is the time for you to ask yourself what you truly believe and go from there. Any individuals harmed by Fr Maciel's actions will be cared for. But realize that this affair is something that our Lord has allowed to occur so that the Movement will be purified; those who do not truly believe will end up going their own way, while those who recognize the gift of the Holy Spirit will joyfully receive it and flourish. The faults of men do not diminish the truth of God's words. PJP2 once said that the founders of religious orders are the successors to the prophets of the old testament. This will always be true of Fr Maciel, whether we like it or not. Let me ask one question though, if it were revealed that Fr M had psychizophrenia would that make anyone feel differently? You can be certain that under no circumstances was the author of RC spirituality a man devoted to sin. He may have fallen once or multiple times or been afflicted by illness, but RC spirituality cannot be faked. It is as real as it gets. It's easy to criticize what you don't understand. Put your faith in Christ and believe. He will not allow harm to come to those who have believed.
Dominic, respectfully, how can you say harm will not come? Harm has already come, and visited here for decades. Harm has already ruined lives and has left this world without ever for one moment having to face justice. I understand that you believe, but I don't see how you can say, harm will not come...
Re: the Schizophrenia comment, and any other insinuation that Maciel was too sick to comprehend his own actions.
So, he was too sick to comprehend his own actions, but not so sick to cover his tracks?
Right.
I wasn't aware that the Vatican had ever said that MM abused "more than 20 but less than 100" seminarians. Can you tell me where you got that?
"More than 20, less than 100"
http://articles.latimes.com/2008/feb/01/local/me-maciel1
Here's a link:
http://www.nationalcatholicreporter.org/update/bn051806.htm
Thanks to responding to my request for information. What I saw on those news links were "allegations". I know that there have been horrible allegations against Fr. Maciel, I'm wondering if the Vatican ever substantiated them. Thanks for any help you can give.
As a medical professional and RC I am surprised that discussions about Fr. Maciel's health issues have not been advanced. Catholic teaching discourages our judging of the state of a soul. I particularly find that dictate appropriate when an individual has suffered neurological damage. I do know that Fr. Maciel suffered from a brain tumor and possibly a head injury from a car wreck--I remember something about a metal plate in his head. I do not know the chronology of these events, but, it is possible that some of his problems with inhibition are the result of brain damage. I reserve judgment as to his culpability. As to the reports of pedophilia, to date there seem to be almost as many retracted statements (I recall a death bed retraction witnessed by a physician) and sworn statements from individual who were offered payment to falsely accuse MM of sexual advances. If the present leaders are volunteering information about his mistress, I trust that other issues will be addressed, if they exist. I suspect the LC are still reeling from the discoveries. In the end, it will be the CHURCH whose guidance I rely on. The Holy See approved of this Congregation and Lay Movement and it's Charism as being inspired by the Holy Spirit.
It is Christ and the Church, after all, that RC and LC serve, not the founder.
Yes, it is true, they were allegations, not necessarily proven by the Vatican. however, let's look at the facts. More than 20 but less than 100 guys made accusations of abuse against MM. MM denied it. The LCs defended MM, saying he could never have done anything like that, MM was such a holy man. Now we learn that MM in fact was capable of deceptiveness vis a vis the mistress as well as financial wrongdoing.
I personally have no trouble connecting the dots. It is more probable to me that MM also lied about the past abuse of seminarians than it is likely that more than 20 but less than 100 guys are all liars. The only proven liar so far in all this is MM.
Go ahead and split hairs over "allegations" of abuse versus actual proven abuse.
please save the church right now today
If you wish to, you can make safe each and every young person entrusted to you. You can make safe every inch of every church facility, every school, every seminary, every rectory, every chapel, everywhere in the world. If you wish.
But you do not seem to know you have a building on fire. Perhaps you think you need not act with urgency because Jesus has promised your success.
You have a responsibility to protect the young people in your care, and this duty is absolute and unconditional. Thankfully we do not all have to succeed in reaching sainthood in this world; but there are some battles you can not lose. You must either succeed or perish trying.
Please don't attempt to hide behind "God uses all things for good." perhaps he does but this is no defense against the charge of reckless endangerment.
If good sane Catholics went out right this moment, and took up a watch in all parts of every building, these decades of predatory rape will end. This hour. If you want to stop it, you can stop it.
Far from lionizing Anonymous, I find his willingness to judge (i.e., "connect the dots") MM alarming. He says that making a distinction between an allegation and a proven fact is splitting hairs! It is this kind of reasoning that makes me so concerned. To say that because MM had an affair and there are men who accuse him of abusing them means that he must be guilty of sexual abuse is simply an assumption (not merely connecting the dots)--one that no Christian should make for fear that we will judge someone falsely. If he is guilty of sexual abuse, that should be brought out into the light and the victims should be supported. But that has not been proven, only debated.
Also, why do we have this need to rush to judgment at all? I too am not satisfied with the Legion's response, but we in the modern world want every sordid detail explained to us in full and we want it yesterday.
As someone who has been slandered and falsely judged myself, I am very sensitive about how quick we are to judge others. I pray that you, Anonymous, are never rashly judged or falsely accused of doing something. MM made some serious mistakes that are in the light. If other allegations are proven, then bring those into the light too. But what good will come from speculating about his other sins at this point?
As someone who has been falsely judged, I hope you can put yourself in the shoes of 20+ accusers who were disbelieved.
How would you like to blow the whistle on someone who has abused you and be treated unjustly, called a liar, in effect? You say you know what it feels like to be falsely judged.
This is not about looking at MM's other sins, nor to condemn MM,but to remember to finally be merciful to those who were very likely victims all along. It's about love of souls. I love their souls too. Doesn't the Legion? Will they ever say so?
This is not an episode of CSI where there is going to be DNA evidence from 50 years ago. Connecting the dots means it could well have happened as the accusers said it did. That is enough evidence for me to want to see the Legion apologize.
Some LCs have connected those dots. Father Owen Kearns, Father Richard Gill, the former commncations director for the Legion, Jay Dunlap; these men have all made apologies to those victims.Father Thomas Williams connects those dots in his interview on EWTN on Friday Feb. 6th.
MM's sins are in the past. It is what the LofC does now that interests me.
Anonymous,
We can agree on two things -- we are interested in what happens now and we love souls. I don't doubt your good will; I am merely concerned with your methods.
Of course, if these men were abused and were maligned after seeking redress, then the crime is aggravated. But that begs the question, doesn't it?? We do not know if they were abused and so we do not know if they are liars or victims twice over. We do not know.
I find your CSI analogy interesting as I enjoy those programs. I must point out, however, that it is evidence, proof that finally leads to the truth--that is the lesson of these shows. The cops and CSI's in these shows engage in all kinds of speculation and many times the real criminal is not the person first suspected and accused. Connecting the dots implies a logical progression that leads directly to the truth. So until we have proof, until we know the truth, until we can really connect the dots in a definitive way, then it can not be prudent either to accuse or exhonerate MM of the abuse accusations against him. Is it possible that he committed these acts? Absolutely, but I do not know so I will not condemn him for this or the LC for covering it up. As I mentioned before, if it is proven that MM did abuse young people(if there is definitve corroboration of the allegations), then this must be made public and the victims must receive a huge apology and the LC's full support!
I cannot speak to what the cited LC priests know or interpret their statements as admissions of guilt. Do they know or are they assuming? That is a fair question. On what, exactly are they basing their "apoligies"? Just because it comes from an LC priest does not mean that they have actually connected the dots to definitively discover the truth. Are they speaking on behalf of the Legion or on their own behalf? Based on the interviews I have read, it is not clear, although the apologies seem to be unofficial.
On a personal note, I am sorry that you have been falsely judged. It is something over which one has so little control and can ruin a person's life. I know.
I believe that Dominic's defense of the RC and Fr. Maciel is skewed due to his being too close to the issue to see things objectively. As I see it Dominic's advice should be taken with this fact in mind. It may be very bad advice.
i was a member of the Legion for 7 years, This completely undoes everything that is the Legion. They built the order around FR.MM and he was idolized and held up as the end all be all of the order. It is not only the letters that have lost their meaning but the very Constitution of the Legion, the Norms and Directives (they are secret by the way), even the very culture of the Legion. It is all undone, full of lies, deceit, and abuse of power. It is impossible for MM to have been a lone wolf, other legionaries must have known. We are talking about hundreds of thousands of dollars. Fr John Devlin should tell us what he knows, he never left MM's side.
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