Anyone else hear about this? Are these reports true/confirmed?



http://www.americanpapist.com/2009/02/l ... hered.html

The primary sources of this, from what I can tell is American Papist (which you linked to). He claims to have other sources and he has proven trustworthy in the past. I strongly suspect it is true and that the facts will come out in the following days ...

He links to some groups who are VERY negative about LC in this initial post who have been very eager to let this cat out of the bag for a LONG time. It doesn't shock me that they are first with the news. I have been unwillingly dragged into this fray because of my nearly sending my kids to an LC school and making that public on my blog. In my dealings with both LC/RC and the anti-LC/RC factions I have found the lack of charity to be almost always from the anti- crowd. They are quick to throw out the "cult" charge and even faster to stoop to character assassination in order to prove their point (as if the character assassination of MM's accusers somehow escaped them) ... Some of them have a hatred for the Legion that is beyond unhealthy which is sad because their criticisms have proven more than credible. I find most LC/RC people to be cordial, honest and decent Catholics. This is going to be very hard for them to deal with because they have put a lot of trust in the official party line for so long.

For example ... http://changobeer.blogspot.com

I just went to two of the websites american papist referenced and it was definitely the anti-LC's that were not charitable, while a current LC person was being extremely kind and never said one uncharitable thing, despite the clear attacks from the anti-LCs.

I was decently close with the order myself as I am close to a couple great priests and visited the novitiate in Cheshire, CT this past December. I believe the LCs are doing great things, and this shouldn't stop them from continuing on.

It is unfortunate though, if true.

Why do we think, that as man, we have the right to judge what God has known. May be it is the wrong but he was only a man. Yes, we want to think that all of our priests are perfect and never make a mistake, however, that is ridiculous. Unfortunately, it is harder to accept when the one that made the mistake was a creator of an order. Let us look for the good that they have done and will do and center our attention on that. When a minister of a protestant organized church makes a mistake it is his. However, when a priest makes a mistake it is the Catholic Church. May God forgive him and assist the order.

The Legionaries of Christ worry me, though I wish them well. I had a friend who went to a minor seminary of theirs. They had some severe problems (a few have been remedied).

As for Fr. Marcel, he was plagued with accusations. Rome took them seriously enough to order his retirement from public ministry and unfortunately the reaction of the LC was that this was proof of his saintliness. They have also had disputes with several local ordinaries, notably the Archbishop of Baltimore, and I know they were banned from my college, which is arguably the most conservative Catholic college in the country for similar reasons.

Now most involved are very well intentioned, the problem has really been more rooted in their leadership and absolute obedience to that leadership. I know Rome intervened to stop to practices 1. a secret vow 2. Superiors being spiritual directors (creates issues). That should bear fruit in correction and set them on a straighter path.

The rumors and the accusations against the Legionairies have been going on for years. Their founder, Marcel, was accused of sexual impropriety by several individuals, including former members of the LC. Shortly after he became pope, Benedict basically ordered him into private retirement.

In addition to the accusations against their founder, there have been many accusations against the LC. Most often, these charge the LC with failing to respect individual autonomy and discernment by creating conditions of pressure, so that young men are not as free as they should be in their decisions to join, stay, make vows, and be ordained. Critics also accuse the LC of being secretive and isolated, and of not working collaboratively within diocesan structures.

Whatever else may be said of the LC, they are attractive to a certain sort of young man seeking religious life. But it is notable that their drop-out rate at all stages, including after ordination, seems to be higher than average.

That's a pretty good summary of Abp. O'Brien's concerns, IIRC.

I knew there had been accusations. But as I posted in the other thread on this topic, the LCs are confirming these accusations are true.

They haven't admitted to any specifics, but in general.

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=14969