Catholic Light has links to translations of a CNN interview (en espanol) with a lawyer representing Marciel Maciel's biological children. The lawyer asserts that John Paul II knew that Maciel had children, though he offers no proof.
Pete Vere also has an interesting post up about how the late Father Richard John Neuhaus, who had previously been a fierce and uncompromising apologist for Maciel and his movement, shifted toward a position of skepticism and even prophetic (if remarkably gentle) chastisement of the group before his death.
I recently heard that a college friend who had been studying years ago for the priesthood in an LC seminary, but was abruptly dismissed, without explanation (as often happened with LC seminarians), has recently become engaged to be married. Deo gratias and mazel tov! He had a very rough time of it after the LCs sent him down, but it has all worked out.
I wonder: should the Vatican suppress the Legionaries of Christ as a movement? Why or why not? Thoughts?
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" Few foresaw this debate back in 2006."
What balderdash!
Jason Berry's book Vows of Silence was written in 2004.
EVERYBODY with a thinking brain knew about this before 2004.
Yes, that does exclude Neuhaus, Weigel and certain other members of the Catholic hierarchy (with an exception of a certain Cardinal R.)
The Legion is not Maciel. And for legal purposes Maciel did not own the Legion. He may have been instrumental in starting it but the Legion is not Maciel any more than the United States is George Washington.
The Legion calles itself the "Legion of Christ", not the Legion of Maciel. People who do not have, or no longer have any faith in Christ or Christianity may only see Maciel as being the Legion or owning the Legion.
Whether the Legion can continue as the Legion depends upon its leadership and what examples it follows and what vision and focus it takes. Certainly it need not follow the example of Maciel. On an earlier topic this week I pointed out that the spirituality of the Legion is quite Ignatian (ala St Ignatius Loyola).
Most Legionaiers do not "follow" the example of Maciel, and never did and most Jesuits today do not seem to follow or study the vision and writings of St Ignatius Loyola.
Let the Legion "adopt" St. Ignatius Loyola as its Step-Father Founder.
Maciel was not the Legion and he did not own the Legion. The Legion calls itself the "Legion of Christ" not the "Legion of Maciel". I am sure some here (maybe Rod too?) think Maciel owned the Legion and therefore thought the Legion was the "Legion of Maciel".
I mentioned on an earlier topic that the spirituality of the Legion is Ignatian. Perhaps the Legion can "adopt" St Ignatius Loyola as it spiritual Step-Founder.
Most Jesuits have forgotten Ignatian spirituality and writings. Maybe the Legion of Christ can make this real to many again.
And for legal purposes Maciel did not own the Legion.
True, but that may be of limited significance. I can certainly imagine a court ruling that thousands of people gave money, lives, years of service to the Legion under false pretenses, and are owed restitution.
These folks didn't intend their sacrifices to support Maciel's harem. They didn't intend their "vows of charity" and obedience to cover for a fraud. Their gifts were given and received under false pretenses. They are owed restitution.
Jason Berry saw Maciel for what he was - a pervert and a fraud. I know because I corresponded briefly with Berry on this topic at that time (and coincidentally, Rod too.) However, while related, this is separate from the debate over charism that Neuhaus foresaw. And no, the victims who worked with Berry never foresaw this debate coming, this rapidly.
Speaking of which, one must not be fooled by appearances. The Legion charism, if it exists, most certainly no Ignatian. This is explained well by Jesuit seminarian Nathan O'Halloran, a graduate of Steubeville who initially considered the Legion, in the following article:
http://underachindolea.blogspot.com/2009/02/jesuit-obedience-and-legionaries-of.html
I would also add that the Legion isn't Ignatian because Ignatian spirituality focuses heavily on the proper discernment of spirits, whereas the Legion's entire leadership, if we believe them, failed to discern that their founder was a fraud and a pervert. I'm not saying the majority of Legionaries are bad people for being taken in, only that it shows lack of discernment of spirits.
Moreover, examination of conscience is big in Ignatian spirituality. So I could not imagine true sons of St. Ignatius not apologizing to victims once their plight had become known.
However, not only has the Legion not apologized publicly to Maciel's victims (except in extremely vague terms) the Legion still markets Maciel's books to young people on courtship and sexuality.
http://shop.regnumchristi.org/pilgrimqueen/interior01.phtml?se=001&ca=007
Thus the Legion truly is Maciel's.
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