Marcial Maciel is dead

Marcial Maciel, the founder of the conservative religious order the Legion of Christ, has died of natural causes at 87. He had been disciplined by Pope Benedict following multiple accusations of sex abuse from early in his priesthood. He died in disgrace, with the Vatican directing him to retire and withdraw rather than face further investigation and prosecution.

Jason Berry writes about the Maciel case here, and in many other places. Additionally, here is the website of ReGain, an organization of ex-Legionaries and others now highly critical of Maciel and his work. One aspect of the accusations against Maciel that struck me is that his nine accusers were all professionally accomplished laymen at the time they went public. They did not ask for money, and they had a lot to lose by going public as victims of molestation -- especially accusing a very powerful religious leader. Clearly by the time Benedict became pope, the Vatican had been convinced that Maciel was guilty of something.

It's in God's hands now.

UPDATE: I know this is a very sensitive topic, and my views about the Catholic hierarchy and the cover-up of sexual abuse are strong and well-known. I want to underscore, however, that I invite people of all opinions on the matter of Fr. Maciel and the LCs to express themselves here. If you believe Fr. Maciel was treated unjustly, please feel free to say so. And those who disagree, likewise. Let's keep it civil, tho'...