life-after-RC

Unendorsed endorsement

From Dawn Eden:

It has come to my attention that Regnum Christi, the Legion of Christ's lay movement, is using my name and image to promote my Michigan Catholic Radio on its Web site.

This is the first I have heard of the show's being used to promote Regnum Christi; the possibility of such promotion was not raised when I agreed to the interview. It is understandable that the movement would want to support the efforts of the show's host, who is a member. Nonetheless, I regret that my name is being used in Regnum Christi's self-publicity, particularly in light of the upcoming Apostolic Visitation of the Legion of Christ and the revelations that precipitated it. My appearance on the show should in no way be construed as an endorsement of Regnum Christi.

In recent months, out of respect for those individual members of the LC/RC whom I know and admire, I have been making an effort to refrain from public comment on the Legion or Regnum Christi pending the visitation's outcome. I am breaking my self-imposed silence only to make it clear that I object to any implied institutional endorsement.

Ye olde switcheroo

Perusing many emails from around the world, it has become evident that there's a lot of shuffling going on. Not playing cards, under sleepy oak trees where children while away their summer vacations, but evidence that the S.S. Legion is rearranging its deck chairs, so that (one might conclude) certain parties will be unavailable to the Visitors. From schools to various apostolates, superiors and directors who have been in a given place for five, ten, even fifteen years or more are suddenly needed elsewhere. Certainly, summer is the time for new assignments, but it's curious how many "fixtures" are already packing up and moving out of harm's way. One might connect the dots and suggest a trend, but surely the AV would recognise such an obvious tactic...

Even Maciel understood this

From this account:

José Barba, another Mexican seminarian and future accuser, remembers Maciel’s tearful farewell speech on October 10 [1956]: “I have been attacked and am subjected to a great test by my enemies… The Legion is said to be a good work, but what is the chance that the Legion, the tree, the branches, and the fruits are good, but I, the trunk, am evil? What sense is there in that?”

As Our Lord was quoted, "It is you who have said it." 

Additional Visitors

ExLC translates additional information from Sandro Magister. In addition to Bishops Urquidi, Chaput and Versaldi, there are two more bishops assigned to visit the Legion:

– Ricardo Ezzati Andrello, Archbishop of Concepción, Chile, in charge of Chile, Argentina, Colombia, Brazil and Venezuela, where the Legion has 20 houses, 122 priests and 122 religious seminarians;

– Ricardo Blázquez Pérez, Bishop of Bilbao, Spain, in charge of Spain, France, Germany, Switzerland, Ireland, Holland, Poland, Austria and Hungary, where the Legion has 20 houses, 105 priest, and 160 religious seminarians.

The investiture of the five visitors took place on Saturday morning, June 27th in the Vatican, at a meeting with Cardinals Tarcisio Bertone, William J. Levada, Franc Rodé and Stanislaw Rylko. The five were give a letter containing the conclusions for the investigation of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith which lead to Maciel’s being sanctioned in 2006. Each prelate was given a travel budget of 10,000 Euros. They will give their first report to the Vatican in the autumn.

We count on the Holy Spirit to guide. We also note that this undercuts the Legion's curious explanations about the timing and the "size" of the endeavor. Kindly keep these men in your prayers.

And so it begins

Exlc has graciously translated this piece:

The Vatican officially opened the apostolic visit of the Mexican order, the Legion of Christ, ordered by Pope Benedict XVI with a special meeting in Rome. Confidential ecclesiastical sources reveled that several functionaries of the Holy See met with the four prelates who are in charge of reviewing all of the institutions of the Legion world-wide. They are Ricardo Watty Urquidi, Bishop of Tepic, Mexico; Charles Joseph Chaput, Archbishop of Denver (United States); Giuseppe Versaldi, Bishop of Alejandría, Italy: and Gianfranco Ghirlanda, rector of the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome, Italy. The goal of the meeting was to give the visitators the first general lines of approach to the task that they will have to complete in the coming months.

This should gratify many who wondered about the early leaks and their reliability. Prayers are essential and as soon as those "general lines of approach" are decided upon, we'll all cooperate to the best of our abilities. Kindly consider joining me in the following prayer for this intention:

Our Lady of Mercy, Immaculate Mother of God, hear our prayer. You responded in love to the captives who cried out to you from their oppression, breaking the chains of their bondage. Be with us as we seek to be heralds of God's love and freedom. The Word of God became flesh through your fervent and pure love. We ask you, dear Mother, break the chains of our slavery, for free of them, we are able to imitate your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Nobody does it better

With due apologies to Carly Simon, Cassandra has summarised things brilliantly:

In their press conference Javier Bravo and Osvaldo Moreno further demonstrated Legionary under-visitation spin. Bravo claimed that post-scandal defections from the Legion are few; that, with Mother Teresa’s Sisters of Charity, they are still the among the fastest growing congregations in the church; that “the charism of the Legionaries [the word they use to allude to their irreformable approval] comes from the model of the imitation of Christ. Father Maciel with his nature and his reality, with many successes, but also with his faults, was only an instrument. The congregation does not follow Father Maciel, but the model of Christ. The priests who are ordained do not seek to be like Father Maciel, they are following Christ.” The spokesmen echoed the language of Bertone’s March letter: “Even if he was the founder, the educational, social, and religious work goes beyond the figure of that priest.”

You really need to read the entire piece to understand where we are today.

Visitation thread

An astute observer suggested in another combox that:

[t]he Visitation is a mere formality, for the Holy See has already decided to dissolve the LC. Members of the LC will be given two options: either (1)join an entirely new congregation that will be founded and whose Major Superior will be drawn from outside the ranks of former LC members, or (2) transfer to the diocese of any bishop willing to have them.

This makes sense to me. The Visitation has been dragged out immeasurably with no indications that it will really begin. Others see nothing in their sections to indicate that it's interpreted by superiors as anything less than an "atta boy" from Benedict to the Legion, which it is not.

While recruiting and fundraising continue unabated, there is a lot of shuffling behind the scenes, especially financially, with schools regrouping and consolidations being considered -- and yet new recruits are still brought in to "save the Church," as though nothing is amiss. Could be a long, hot summer.

Custom bio

I vaguely remember reading about Fr Jonathan Morris on the Fox News site but cannot remember specifically if he was identified as a Legionary priest. At present he is not:

Father Jonathan Morris joined FOX News Channel (FNC) as a general news contributor in May 2005.

Since beginning as a contributor, Father Jonathan has reported on a variety of news stories including the passing of Pope John Paul II, the 2005 riots in Paris, France and the influx of human trafficking surrounding the World Cup in Germany in 2006. In addition to his studies and contributing duties, he also writes a blog for FOXNews.com.

Prior to FNC, he served as an adviser to the producers of the film, "The Passion of the Christ" and advised in promotion and pre-release marketing for the film. Father Jonathan received his bachelors in business administration as well as separate degrees in classical humanities, philosophy and theology from the Franciscan University and the University of San Jose. In June 2004, he completed with high honors a licentiate degree in moral theology at Regina Apostolorum Pontifical University in Rome, where he is currently a doctoral candidate.

I've voiced some concerns with him in the past, and yet I haven't heard anything from him (concerning the Legion) since his EWTN interview with Raymond Arroyo. We still don't have the names of the 23 priests who are in the process of leaving. Should be interesting when it becomes known.

Thinking it through

Perhaps it would be helpful to offer your experiences for the edification of others. Contrary to RC teaching, one can discuss important matters without devolving into gossip and consider the actions of others without breaching the bounds of charity. In particular, you could speak to one or more points:

A. What concern(s) about the methodology created the fissure through which the light of reason could once again penetrate your ability to decide independently of the "means of formation?"

B. Have you thoughts on how the methodology undermines the dignity of the human person (to reference the particular concern of Archbishop O'Brien)?

C. When you decided to leave, how did you practically go about it?

The premise is that all of us found great good in the apostolates and the people associated with the Legion and Regnum Christi. To consider the defects is not to paint it all dark. In fact, to separate out the problems specifically allows us to show gratitude for the good that did flourish -- perhaps not because of the methodology, but despite it.

[It would help to mark your responses A., B., and C. and keep in mind that shorter paragraphs are easier to read than oceans of text. Thanks!]

Gateway

ExLC is covering the closing of Gateway Academy High School (Saint Louis) closely. There you will find  many solid details cobbled together -- which is the best anyone can do given the disjointed Legion handling of this important decision. This is further exacerbated by RC members still attempting to live "gospel charity" while suffering the abandonment of their children at a very bad time in the school year, and a bungling of the story in the local paper which suffers from an appalling lack of curiousity about details of the situation.

Hearty recommendation

Please contribute to the timeline that "Cassandra" is putting together on the left column of her blog. Always keep in mind that there is a real timetable of events (stored only in the minds of those present as the Legion juggernaut gained steam) and the official history, which has taken precedence everywhere else.

Only in retrospect can we make sense of the facial expressions in pictures such as these [Maciel receiving approval for the some aspect of his Congregation], which take on an eery prescience of the deepening gloom surrounding the well-intentioned members of the Movement.

An interesting offer

Various sources have brought light to a rumour that the Legion is crumbling a little at the edges. I don't write that disparagingly, but with the greatest respect for the integrity of those who pledged their lives to an ideal that met the deepest and most generous of all desires: to offer one's life for the good of others. To be offered evidence that the ideal was not what it purported to be an not to be shattered to the core would be frightening. Thus, to hear hints of defections is to be expected. Exlcblog has reported the following:

A source within the Legion has confirmed that 23 Legionary Priests are about to separate from the Legion to form a new religious group. 15 of the priests are Americans. Fr. Alvaro has asked them not to take any action until the Vatican publishes its findings. The Legion is not answering questions on the subject, but one of the 23 priests has leaked the departure of the group.

If this is true, then the discontent runs so deeply that such men can neither foresee good coming of the impending Visitation, nor can they find confidence in the Legion's ability to reform itself (I'm speaking in the rough sense, not the legal sense). While this seems like a unique situation, it has happened before, and those familiar with Pete Vere and his commentary over the last few months have heard his references to a similar group that endured the same trial in recent years.

To that end, we have an interesting proposal:

Have you had the traumatizing experience of leaving your own Congregation, or contemplating  doing it, heartbroken yet still full of zeal of the Church and not knowing where to go or where to start? Perhaps you could relate well to the Mission Society of Mandeville, a vibrant community of priests and brothers found in Jamaica, West-Indies (the Caribbean). An ex-Lc visited them some time ago. 

This Mission Society was Founded by the first Bishop of Mandeville, the Most Rev. Bishop Paul M. Boyle, former Superior General of the Passionist Order upon the urging of the Society for the Propagation of the Faith in Rome almost a decade ago. It is a diocesan Society of Apostolic life which has received a number of diocesan approvals as well as a Decree of Encouragement from the Bishops of the island nation of Jamaica, including the President of the Episcopal Conference.

The initial members  of this missionary society went through something very similar to what the LC's are going through. They belonged to the Sons of Mary, a Canadian group which basically "went mad" and is now in schism with the Church because of false mysticism and other warped attitudes too long to describe here. Having also known the Sons of Mary, this ex-LC also knows that there were some healthy spiritual characteristics in the Sons of Mary that were identical to the LC's. Indeed in the mid 80s, the Sons of Mary were the only religious with which the members of the LC's could mingle freely. Their devotion to the Eucharist, to the Blessed Mother and their faithfulness to the Pope were akin to that of the LC's.

At any rate, the Sons of Mary were an international group serving in Italy (in two dioceses) in France, in Canada the United States and Jamaica. Once the group went "off the deep end"  a group of these religious left the Sons of Mary "en bloc" in an act of faith, desiring to continue to serve the Church as priests and brothers and yet maintain what was "salvagable." The trauma they felt was deep. The separation from their institute cut them to the innermost recesses of their being. Yet out of this "death experience" came new life! I am sure that some of you out there would find in them a sympathetic ear. Perhaps some of you would want to join them.

God helped this group of brave men that this ex-LC personally knows. Indeed the Bishop of Mandeville for a few years before these sad events concerning the Sons of Mary took place was nurturing the idea to found a Society dedicated to Mission for Life in the Caribbean. When the tragic events affected this group, he decided to go ahead with this dream and found a Mission Society. He "seized the day" and he asked these ex Sons of Mary if they wanted to engage themselves in forming a new group. After prayer and discernment, these first few members agreed to the Bishops' proposition. The Bishop then officially founded the Society and gave the Society its statutes. The first elected Superior was the very Rev. Monsignor Michael Palud who is presently the Vicar General of the Diocese of Mandeville. He is also the official translator of the Bishop's Conference of the Antilles Region. He can be reached at msgrmichael@gmail.com. They have a website: www.themissionsocietyofmandeville.org.

Later, after the Foundation, other members joined. Most of the members of this society are tri-lingual and speak English, French and Italian. A number of them also speak Spanish and Portuguese. The Society runs a secondary school, a home for abandoned children, a retreat house and a number of parishes. A few months ago, Cardinal Dias of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples wrote to another Archbishop in the Caribbean telling the Most Rev. Robert Rivas, O.P. archbishop of Castries to look to The Mission Society of Mandeville for help for his Diocese. Just consider...because of the similarities, maybe that could be a solution for some of you out there. Think about it, think about the potential this might create for the good of the Caribbean church ! I have a feeling that you would be received with open arms.

Please continue to pray for these good men (and all the fine men and women in RC) so that they can free themselves in the way the Holy Spirit sees fit for the greater glory of God. God alone knows the best path, but they should rest assured that they are neither alone nor without prayers from the wider community.

UPDATE: for Spanish speakers, more details and excellent considerations here.

Parsing Father Berg

Given the news that Father Berg has left the Legion, I'm moving this post to the top with an update below. One cannot read hearts or presume motives. All we have is the outward evidence -- and we assume the best. God's most holy will in all things.

        ____________________________

From the outset, I want to express my great love for all priests and my appreciation for their selflessness in giving their lives for the Church. In particular, the frustration I have long felt about the Legion is specifically because their priests have been so obtuse about so many things -- especially their understanding about family life, human freedom, and what actually builds up the Mystical Body of Christ. That said, I have some comments on the heartfelt letter written by Fr Berg, recently spread throughout the internet. He begins with an apology that resonates with many read with gratitude, but it is full of alarming signals that people have to learn to interpret:

... I also beg you forgiveness for the disastrous response which this crisis has received from our upper LC leadership. There is no other way to say it: in so many respects, Legionary superiors have failed, and failed miserably to respond adequately to this crisis, and not surprisingly, have engendered in many of you and understandable lack of confidence. Those are the facts and your reaction is natural and reasonable. With all my heart, on their behalf, I apologize. Our superiors are human instruments; I know in their hearts they have trying to do the right thing, under inhuman pressure. Please understand that.

Remember that "they are human" is also the cover that the Legion is providing for Maciel. Here, again, is the reminder that we all sin, but mean well. That's not necessarily true. Despite the fact that we all sin, not everyone means well all the time. He is telling the rank-and-file what to think about their leadership. Why can they not come to their own conclusions about the facts? Why must Father Berg decode their hearts? RC members are adults -- don't tell them what to think.

But it is more than just crisis management. The thing I am most pained about—I share this as a brother—is the near absence of but fleeting suggestions of sorrow, and of apologizing for the harm done, both to alleged victims of Maciel, and, frankly, to all of you. I am deeply, deeply sorry, and I personally apologize with my heart in my hand to each and every one of you.

This is an open letter to the RC. Why is he apologising to them for the harm to the victims? What does this mean? What was the harm? Why are they still "alleged"? What apology does the rank-and-file deserve except one concerning having deceived them? [Read this piece again for clarification.] This is a fuzzy and misplaced apology.

I understand your feelings of betrayal. For twenty-three years I have loved and tried to follow Christ in the Legion. I can say before God, in spite of my many human frailties, I have been faithful. I have also, more than many of you to be honest, gone out on limb after limb, trying to defend Maciel. I have lived my priesthood always with that cloud hanging over me, always having to essentially apologize for being a Legionary. You feel betrayed? You feel rage? I can only say that the rage, and raw emotions that I have felt these past days (the hardest days of my entire life, emotions like I have never experienced) are only a glimpse of the unspeakable hell that victims of priest sexual abuse must go through. My thoughts and my heart have been so often with them these days…

This is honest and sincere. I have no quibble with this, except for the fact that it contradicts the "alleged" in the paragraph above. Allegations don't bring rage -- actual abuse does.

I know that many of your are utterly confused about what you are feeling and about where we go from here. In no particular order, let me offer my advice and counsel as follows:

Now here is my concern. Why is he issuing a paint-by-numbers instruction manual to the rank-and-file? What sort of control is he trying to maintain? What authority should he have over these individuals when they consider how to get through each day? In retrospect, it underscores how these members are used to being led -- in very pedestrian ways. Troubling.

1. Most of you are going through the stages of mourning. Understand that and know what that means. This is a very useful site: http://www.cancersurvivors.org/Coping/end%20term/stages.htm

They are also going through a rough detox, similar to drug users whose primary source has been removed. A better site would be here.

2. Keep talking to your section directors. Let them know how you feel. Let them know if you are satisfied with their response to you.

This is to make sure that they don't defect. As long as they stay in touch, the well-formed directors can remind them of their "special" vocation and the present need to heroically stay the course.

3. Many of you might find it to be a wonderfully freeing and healing experience to offer acts of reparation for those suffering the effects of priestly sexual abuse. You might also find it healing to reach out to persons who, in any way, have found themselves hurt by their experiences with the Legion or RC.

This is a good point, though any rational adult should have thought of it. It is also a form of "permission" to talk to ex-members. Thank you, Father.

4. For your own spiritual needs right now: a. Remember you are free to speak with anyone, inside or outside the Movement about your pain, your reactions to this tragic news, and for ease of conscience to speak to whomever you believe can best help you at this time. I would encourage you to reach out to and find guidance from priests whose holiness and sound judgment you trust, whether Legionaries or not.

This is an enormous red flag: Permission to speak with outsiders. The reason he says this is because it is normally not the way of operating. He is graciously giving them what should, by all rights, be theirs already. "You are free to speak" is a frightening comment from a spiritual leader allowing his followers a "grace period" that isn't normally in place. Can outsiders see this?

b. Your spiritual experiences—even when they came through the letters of the Founder—are valid, and real. God was working through those instruments. The sad revelations about Maciel do not change that. Try to thank God for the past, and sing his praises for the way he has done in your lives through RC. Prayer of thankfulness will help you. Prayer of thanksgiving for this deliverance he has given us now, and for the purification which we are undergoing will also be very helpful.

Note comments on flawed instruments here. Otherwise, he is telling his followers how to respond. "Do this, think that, be happy." He also predicts the outcome of this purification, which is definitely "above his paygrade."

c. If you still find the letters of the founder helpful in prayer, feel free to use them. But it is certainly OK to leave them aside. Remember that in many ways, the spirit and charism we have lived is Pauline. Continue to nourish your spirit on the letters of St. Paul.

By all means, read what the pederast wrote to throw you off the scent. Read the clever duplicity. See how holy he could be on paper while he was engaing in serial abuse of the innocent and laughing up his sleeve. The Vatican said, "apart from the founder" back in 2006. What about that can't these men grasp? The spirit is not Pauline -- the spirit has been diabolical.

d. In your meditation, go back to the bedrock truths of your life and ponder them serenely before God and let him use that meditation to soothe your hearts: the Incarnation of the Son of God, the Redemption, the gifts of the Holy Spirit, your Baptism, your call to a more deeply committed Christian life, and a loving meditation (”Mary meditated on all these things in here heart”) of all the wonders God has done in your life.

There's that word "serene." It's a lovely word, but it parrots Fr Corcuera in reminding the members what they are to think and feel. I thought Fr Berg was outraged and betrayed. How can one feel both things simultaneously? Part of the grieving process he links to in his letter allows for stages: anger is a legitimate stage that shouldn't be glossed over with serenity.

e. I also recommend using The Better Part by Fr. Bartunek, and any other spiritual writings be Legionary priests. You might find those helpful. Your section directors should also be able to point you in the direction of other sources on which to nourish your souls. Share your ideas with each other.

Ah yes, come back to the Legion. Read our soothing words, even though we've been betrayed. Read the words of men living the 4th vow and telling others how to think, feel, and respond. Don't leave the reservation -- we need you.

Finally, I encourage you to speak to Legionary leadership, and even in the form of petition letters, demand nothing less than full transparency regarding the case of Fr. Maciel. Demand that Fr. Alvaro seek an independent third party investigation (perhaps in the form of a temporary review board or Visitation team from the holy see) into uncovering any Legionaries who may have been accomplices to Maciel. Demand that a similar body guide Legionary leadership in introducing any needed reforms into the internal culture, methods and religious discipline of the Legion.

When we have enough letters demanding that we take care of things, we'll compile them to prove to the Vatican that our rank-and-file wants US to take care of this in our own way. I know I'm being particularly dark, twisting everything to one end. I just want readers to recognise the control that is still in this letter. The warning signals of a cult point to four areas: behaviour, information, thinking, and emotins. BITE. Every one of these buttons is pushed with this letter. Dangerous still -- caveat emptor.

UPDATE: Word back from inside the LC is that, although they have the freedom to read outside opinions and accounts, they prefer not to. In charity they ask that such material not be sent to them since they trust their superiors to guide them. Heroic docility or another red flag? Tough call.

UPDATE II: The most recent news that has caught many by surprise is the fact that Father Berg is leaving the Legion with intentions to incardinate into the NYC archdiocese. I am gratified at this turn of events, which is the culmination (he notes) in a three-year discernment process.

A commenter below asks for my reaction, since I was so harsh on this letter of Fr Berg's which I initially posted February 10th, 2009. In rereading my comments above, I stand by them. The red flags are still red flags and the minute directives are still troublesome from the perspective now of a few things:

1. He was directing people to work through their superiors, not to eschew the letters of the founder since they still had merit, and still stands by the legitimacy of the charism that came through MM's hands.
2. He was expressing confidence in the Movement while he was actually making moves to leave it, which is his prerogative, to be sure.
3. He was 23 years in a group that has a problematic methodology that undermines the freedom and dignity of its members. Who is to be surprised that it will take years to unspin the unhealthy ways of communicating?

He will be a great benefit to his new diocese, but one has to wonder at his confidence in the outcome of the Apostolic Visitation -- leaving before it even begins. Does that mean he took his advice, talked to his own superiors and found the response wanting? I don't want to pile on in the least. He is a good and holy priest of God. I'll have far more confidence in the Westchester Institute under the auspices of the New York Archdiocese than under the Legion, but at what price did he wrench it away from them?

UPDATE III: This comment left in the box is essential reading to know how the mind of the Legion works circa 2009:

Mike wrote: What we don't know is the LC's reaction to Fr. Berg's letter. Was he accused of "lack of integration", disloyalty, failure to contact his superiors before issuing his letter - even though the letter was the best thing that could have happened to the LC?

I can tell you that in our section, we were first told that the letter was probably a fake because it was so poorly written and had all of those typos that there was no way the real Fr. Berg wrote that.

Then, when it became clear that he did in fact write it, we were told that he 'hit bottom.' That was when I knew that for me, barring a miracle, RC is over.

Apostolic Visitators confirmed

Regarding the announcement of the Apostolic Visitators, we are reminded by Archbishop O'Brien that this is a remarkable and rare opportunity to make our personal experiences known in a way that will help Holy Mother Church. Without presuming to know what the best outcome will be for the members of this Movement, I do firmly believe that all input will help to shed light on what that outcome should be.

To that end, I hope you are all praying daily for God's will to be done in the coming months concerning this sad affair, and that those with specific encounters with the Movement will write their testimonies and submit to the team. The testimonies should explain the expectations you had of the group, your own commitment and activities, your experiences and the outcome. In addition to the good that you experienced, there should be a clear explanation of the disappointments that may have accrued -- specifically the areas in which the methodology short-changed any authentic virtues.

Remember: the end can never justify inappropriate means. No one doubts that everyone joined this group to advance the Kingdom; the problem has been that good will was coerced (by assurances of approval by the Church's hierarchy) into undertaking problematic methods.

If everyone is agreed that we want the Legion of Christ and Regnum Christi to be purified, then these testimonies offer a way of shining a spotlight on any deviousness that may have been hardwired into the group because of the predilections of the founder. If this Movement is ever to have God's blessings, then absolute honesty will rid it of any untoward elements.

Ultimately, these testimonies should be sent to the Apostolic Visitator assigned to your geographical region with a copy sent to your local bishop, and a second copy sent to the bishop in which the transgressions took place, should that be somewhere other than your home diocese. Your prayers and participation are critical:

I would think that this is a one-shot thing, that we'll have one swing at this, and I hope that it answers the questions and responds to the doubts that so many people have raised...This is a solemn obligation they have. It's very serious. Souls are at stake, lives are at stake (Abp. O'Brien).

UPDATE: Sources from the Vatican confirmed that the visitors will be Ricardo Watty Urquidi, from the dioces of Tepic (Mexico); Charles Joseph Chaput, Archbishop of Denver (US) and Giuseppe Versaldi, bishop of Alejandria (Italia). In the next months the prelates will be in charge of visiting the communities of the Legion in the world, according with each one's geographic region. Then they will send a report - protected by pontifical secret - to Vatican authorities. Gianfranco Ghirlanda, a Jesuit priest president of the Gregorian Pontifical University, will join the visitors to review all the education institutions of the Legion." (Thanks to Andrew W. at AmP)

UPDATE II:  A kind soul pointed out this excellent page, which includes a point I've been meaning to add to this post.

Do not tell a bishop what to do. Present facts, appeal to the bishop to exercise his authority on the matter at hand - but do not tell him that he must do so and so.

I cannot stress this highly enough. If you make your point well, then prudence and grace will do the rest. Under no circumstances should you suggest a strategy or point to any single option -- no matter how dearly you hold to its efficacy. Additionally, don't out-think the process. Most of the men engaged at this point are canon lawyers and very well-versed on the ins and outs of religious life.

Pray, sacrifice, write if you feel called -- and don't worry. God is good; He loves his Church.

Prayers aren't cheap

Years ago when I joined Regnum Christi (1992) we were handed a laminated card with our commitments and a little book with a heavy card stock cover and various prayers inside. I kept it for years and used it for all appropriate occasions. I'm sure there was some cost involved in the printing, but it couldn't have been much. It appears that things have changed over the years and the rank-and-file is being asked to foot the bill -- and evidently it's more than a quick trip to Kinko's.
This email was sent from the Regnum Christi Resource Centre:

It is hard to believe that it has been almost two months since we shared a wonderful week together at the Formators’ Convention here in Atlanta.  I hope you have experienced great fruit from your generous gift of availability in attending the convention! I’m writing to ask you to consider continuing that generosity to help the Movement as a whole through a special act of financial kindness.  

As you may remember, I asked for donations for the new Manual for Members of the Regnum Christi Movement. This book clearly explains the mission and identity of Regnum Christi, its vocation and spirituality as well as life in Regnum Christi. It provides formation, motivation, and encouragement. and will be a key tool for formation of both new and veteran Regnum Christi members. The final review has been completed, and the manuscript is being prepared for printing. What that means is that we are at the point where your financial support is critical.

The Regnum Christi Resource Center is also working to bring you the new edition of the Prayer Book.  This foundational resource has been out-of-print for some months. Our General Directorate is approving the final revisions to this resource, and we when that process is complete, we will be able to go to print with the Prayer Book.

Our goal is to raise $30,000 to print these two resources. Your financial support is a very concrete way to help members deepen their prayer life, open themselves to God’s will, and expand their apostolic zeal. Your contribution will help provide members with resources that enable them to live out their commitments and grow in their identification with the Movement.

It seems like such a little thing…a contribution for a prayer book, a manual…but there is nothing more foundational to our life in Christ than that interior life resulting from our prayer and our living fully the vocation to which we have been called.  That’s what you would be making possible through your contribution.

Would you consider making a tax deductible donation of $100, $250, $500, $1,000, or more to help us get the Prayer Book and the Manual for Members printed? For your donation of $100, you will receive a free copy of the revised edition of the Prayer Book, and with any donation of $250 or more, you will receive a free first edition of the Manual. 

I know you are women who have both a love for our vocation and a heart for formation. It is a blessing to be working together to offer members these vital resources that firmly ground us all in our vocations and give us strength, motivation and encouragement to solidify our commitment to building the Kingdom.

I'm at a loss, given the nature of the appeal, the dynamic and bubbly tone amidst an existential crisis in the group, and the duplicity of the way the Legion normally plays with money. If you'll notice, donors at certain levels get a free prayer book and manual, which indicates that normally members pay for them. If they pay for them, why not have these fees cover the printing? Isn't that the normal way?

Two obvious points: it's unconscionable for a group in crisis to be recruiting, and it's peculiar for an organisation with such deep pockets to be pan-handling for money in this way. As per usual, the timing is sketchy, since two months ago was roughly when members were in shock over the admitted fraud of the founder. Not only were they enjoying a "wonderful week together" (while Frs Morris, Williams and Berg were publicly reeling and expressing great distress) but folks behind the scenes were simply repackaging the formation materials, which will bring in new $$ and help to "expand their apostolic zeal."

All of this busy, busy work -- and the Visitation hasn't even begun, much less made its recommendations about what the Legion and Regnum Christi ought to be doing. As usual, the party line is simply to trust the Legion and give them more money.

Legionary formation

A former Legionary wrote of his experience in a Legion school which is rather shocking for a group that purports to have the highest of standards for its members and to be in the vanguard of Catholic education:

I spent two years studying humanities in the LC seminary in Salamanca, Spain. On separate occasions I required a transcript of my studies there for further education outside of the Legion (after five years in the legion I left without sufficient qualifications to enter any university - now about to finish my first undergrad degree) so I now have at least 2 transcripts of my two years there which contain very different marks and information.
   
IE - the transcripts are complete fabrications.  
   
Note that when we were in the legion, we were not allowed to know the results of our exams. If we werent told to repeat, then we knew we passed -but we never really knew we had failed because we didnt see the corrected exams.  
   
The LC used/abued this blind faith to control its seminarians:

• Do we want Br X to go to study philosophy now? Yes, but he has failed all his exams - it doesnt matter we will give him a pass.  
• Br Y is ready to go, he passed everything with flying colours - well I think he should stay here for another year, lets tell him he has to repeat.  
• We need Br Z to be ordained a priest ASAP but he keeps failing his theology finals so well we will give him a pass. 

There are questions about accreditation, of course, since none of the LC schools in New England appear to have been accredited by the proper authorities. (I have covered problems with transcripts and accreditation numerous time already.) This situtation above, though, is a little different and may be news to many who've never heard of walking "blindly" through one's courses without knowing the actual grades received. Can others corroborate or shed more light on this unique, ahem, educational philosophy?

UPDATE: Cassandra Jones again has done the heavy lifting here. Excellent anecdotes from the very people who know -- those who went to Legionary schools.

Zenit bleg

ZENIT is asking for donations to keep up with its mission to provide news. I'm finding the numbers nearly incomprehensible:

More than 620,000 e-mail subscribers receive ZENIT in seven language editions. That includes 600,000 personal-use readers.  We want to maintain the no-fee policy for private subscribers. Many of our readers would never be able to get ZENIT otherwise. But to cover costs, we have to rely on donations from our readers! This year we need to collect $1,600,000 from readers' donations. This amount would cover about 70% of ZENIT's annual budget for 2009 that you can find at:  http://www.zenit.org/english/budget2009.html

In assessing that budget, I find 30 (full-time?) journalists making an average of around $40K yearly, in addition to the rest. Office expenses are only 15K, which is remarkable for a building that houses over 50 workers, unless they don't really work there but are stringers working out of their own apartments.

All the numbers are remarkably "round" -- but maybe there's something I'm missing about this. Like everything else, perhaps it's time to cut back a little, or ask people to pay for the service.

A higher standard

I have finally had time to carefully read Michael Dunnigan's piece, Theological and Canonical Reflection on Religious Life in View of the Maciel Disgrace, and it is an excellent summing up of the situation in the Legion -- including enough detail of both the scandal and the Legion's response, which has only compounded the problem. He carefully rehashes the storyline to date, but adds critical and fresh analysis concerning the nature of religious life, which is something lost on many of the laity who try to assess Maciel's influence on the charism.

Those in religious life give witness both to the world and to the rest of the Church. Their first duty is to this mission, even before the specific work of their own communities... But what exactly is the content of the witness of religious life? What is the message that the rest of us are supposed to take from the presence of the religious among us? The answer is that the religious are a sign of the age to come. They are the eunuchs for the Kingdom of God that the Lord mentions in the Gospel, and the meaning of their life of perfect continence is a total gift of self to the Lord... Members of religious communities practice and publicly profess chastity to live lives of integrity and to give the world and the Church a sign of the heavenly kingdom, a sign of the age to come.

The higher standard to which the religious are held is not merely a pious aspiration... The outrage is not that Maciel was a sinner or even that he fell into sexual sin on several occasions. Rather, it is that for years he led a double life, the very antithesis of the life of integrity that is the hallmark of the religious. He played the whole Church, including its cardinals and popes, for suckers. All the while, he not only demanded that his subjects take him as their model, but he also permitted them to defend him publicly and to venerate him as a living saint.

The entire piece requires a prayerful reading, and left more burning questions in my mind.

• If the members of this Movement truly wanted to renounce the fraud with which their founder suckered the unwitting Magisterium, then why can't they humble themselves enough to admit that their good works ought to be done in venues free of MM's residual muck?
• Why do they insist that the Church must have this institution in order to prosper?
• Can they ever admit that the very pride that compelled the founder to act as he did has filtered down to members who act as though his behaviour shouldn't matter?
• If they follow Christ, and not Maciel, then shouldn't sincere love for Christ's vicar bring them to bitter tears for having brought scandal to his flock?
• If the mission of religious is to serve the Church, then wouldn't that service -- at times -- require self-renunciation for the greater good?

One commenter on another discussion thread boldly proclaimed: "The Legion and RC have picked up the pieces, reformed, and are moving on." Amazing in its obtuseness, as though an alcoholic could simply divorce one troublesome wife and remarry to prove he's turned a corner. Just as the drunk names his ex-wife's diatribes his greatest inconvenience, Legion insists that its greatest cross is the criticism from various corners of the Church.

Rather than reminding their critics that we all sin and fall short of the glory of God, Mr Dunnigan reminds us that by stepping into the world of religious life, charisms and personality cults, the Legion has renounced the ordinary standard and must be held accountable to a higher standard of integrity.

Southern Catholic (updated)

The Legion has issued a statement:

ATLANTA, GA--(Marketwire - April 20, 2009) - The Legion of Christ and Southern Catholic College (SCC) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that could make possible the college becoming a Legion institution.

"We are excited about this development," said Jeremiah J. Ashcroft, president of SCC. "By collaborating with the Legion, we'll be able to attract students from across North America and develop programs with institutions around the world. This expanded reach and support greatly enhances our ability to achieve our mission to prepare moral and ethical leaders who will enlighten society and glorify God."

"By working with SCC, the Legion can accelerate its desire to offer a greater contribution to higher education in North America. Nevertheless, we are still working things out, so it's not a done deal yet," said Father Scott Reilly, L.C., territorial director for Legion. "Southern Catholic is a great college and there would be considerable sharing of best practices with our existing institutions. I expect that SCC will experience significant growth in student population in the years ahead, with added growth coming from Legion-affiliated secondary schools in North America."

Southern Catholic College is a co-educational liberal arts college, Georgia's first and only residential Catholic college. The school provides a learning environment for academic excellence grounded in the Catholic intellectual and moral tradition. SCC was founded in 2000 and has more than 200 students from 25 states on its campus in Dawsonville, GA, an hour north of Atlanta.

The Legion of Christ is a religious congregation of Pontifical right, founded in 1941. Its mission is to extend the Kingdom of Christ in society according to the requirements of Christian justice and charity. The congregation operates in 22 countries and has 800 priests and more than 2600 seminarians worldwide. The Legion operates 15 universities, 50 institutes of higher education and 176 schools.

This is an interesting move, with so much on the line. It makes the Legion look both confident (which is odd, given the scrutiny they're under) and wealthy (which is odd, given the frantic appeals for money).

Perhaps it's true, as some privately indicated, that they cannot buy the school without Vatican approval, but with the financial woes of the school well-known, the only thing that the Legion can bring to the table is money (since the credibility and ethos are not exactly bankable at the moment).

The site is here. The tuition is as follows:

Tuition:  $8750 per semester

Room and Board:  $3500 per semester

As per usual, this is one of the top 21 Catholic colleges in the US (despite only having about 200 students) according to the Newman Guide, which is also already on campus. More concerns about the Cardinal Newman Society here. There seems to be an increasingly small, truly Catholi pond from which to fish, and all links eventually lead back to LC/RC apostolates. (Remember, recruiting is an urgent item presently.) Here again is ready access to the best and the brightest our Church has to offer.

Nota bene: for the first time in a while, I noticed that the Legion statistics have grown. They've hovered at 500 priests and 2500 seminarians for a long time. Now it's 800 priests and 2600 seminarians. That's another item that I hope the Apostolic Visitation checks on -- since none of their numbers have required accoutability thus far, and this claim makes it appear as though no one has left after the scandal, but the group has actually expanded -- how about that!

UPDATE: The LC press release may not be entirely correct. The merge may actually be complete, but then forthrightness isn't their strong suit. The timing is tricky, with deposits past due and other options not entirely available at this late date. The same dilemma has been plaguing families with children in LC/RC schools across the country. Deposits, remember, are non-refundable. Also, something is still keeping the SCC tuition unnaturally low -- something with deeper pockets that is able to toy with the current financial crisis.

Will you join us in prayer?

Daughter of the Church is reminding us that we are where we are because of prayer:

We are getting ready to begin another novena, this time the Divine Mercy Novena, and I am inviting anyone who is interested to join us. As you know Divine Mercy Sunday is the Sunday after Easter so the novena will begin this Friday, Good Friday and will be offered for all of the intentions associated with LC/RC.  
 
So much has happened since the first time we, who are scattered all over the world, united together in prayer for a Rosary Novena in October of 2007. Our 2nd effort was another Rosary Novena this past October and we can easily see what has transpired since. Along with our prayers, please unite all of the suffering you experienced from your involvement with LC/RC with Christ's this week so that the AV will result in the full disclosure of the truth. God is so good to have worked so fast!!  
 
It is truly amazing how much has happened this past year and a half that has curbed the recruitment efforts of LC/RC and I firmly believe that it is due to the mercy of God Who has used our prayers, sacrifices and testimonies as channels of His grace. I believe as St. Thomas Aquinas teaches "that because God foresees all things, he also foresees our prayers and petitions in advance and incorporates them into the movements of His Spirit in our daily lives as a cause or a motive for His action. From this perspective, our prayers do not change or modify the Divine Will as much as they merit graces that have already been preordained for us should we ask for them" (Summa Theologiae, 2-2, q.83, a2). We are merely asking for all of the graces that God has set aside for this situation but if we do not ask, many of those graces will go to waste.  
 

The prayer is here, friends. Let's keep each other and our families in mind as well.

Steps to schism

As a rank-and-file member of RC for over seven years, any disquietude I may have felt during that time was trumped with the words, "the pope approves of us." This wasn't "whistling Dixie," for I had heard his enthusiastic support with my own ears: when JP2 stopped his prepared remarks in Central Park (NYC) to give an impromptu shoutout to RC, when he singled us out to chat with us in the Vatican gardens, and numerous other times that were clearly visible and not staged. I have since come to understand why my beloved JP2 thought as he did about the Movement. (It's a little complicated, but let's say that the Legion plugged every hole against damaging truths.) Surely the rough and tumble of curial politics isn't obvious to most laymen -- nor should it be, but the Legion has played it brilliantly over the decades. What the superiors also know is that "the pope approves of us," is the perfect "thought-stopping phrase" (to use the cult-lingo). Put simply, it works for obedient Catholics.

Thus, the talk of schism has always been unthinkable to me, because without this imprimatur the group simply cannot work effectively. Or can it? We've already seen how the 2006 Communique against the founder was received, so it is possible for the Legion superiors to parse criticism and explain it away and still claim the loyalty of the members -- even when the criticism comes from the Holy Father himself.

To dissect the unfolding of a schism, Pete Vere has outlined the credible steps that make even obedient Catholics out-think the Magisterium. It's happened before, and I must submit to his reasoning that it could happen again. Pray for unity around the Chair of Peter.

"...apart from the founder"

It is important to see how the Legion sees the need to separate its "spirituality" from the person of Maciel, who was 1. retired to a life of prayer and penance in 2006, and 2. admitted to be a fraud in February, 2009. Some of the websites have been scrubbed, but not all.

This site leads with a quote from himself:

"I think that the entire journey, since the day God gave me the inspiration to found the Legion, has been an ongoing series of events that continually reveal the mystery of God´s plan" (Father Marcial Maciel, L.C.; Fall, 2001).

On this site, the cause of Mama Maurita (mother of himself) is still being promoted, with a new book by the Legion's inhouse Circle Press:

When Juan Pablo Ledesma, LC, was appointed to be the postulator of the cause for Mama Maurita’s beatification, he gained unparalleled access to a range of elements that help paint the portrait of a soul: her letters, prayers, and the memories of all those who knew her. The collection presented in The Prayers and Letters of Mama Maurita is a small but meaningful glimpse into the interior story of a woman whose spiritual life has had such a profound impact on the spirituality of the Legion of Christ and the Regnum Christi Movement. (A full biography in English, also by Juan Pablo Ledesma, LC, will be released soon from Circle Press.)

With that "spirituality" now under such a cloud of suspicion, there ought to be some discussion about whether that selling point is appropriate, although one cannot indict the woman herself. Whether she is or is not in heaven interceding for souls is moot -- the cause of beatification is complicated by any proximity to this group.

Finally,on a slightly different note, it is disturbing to see that women were consecrated during the period between admitting MM's fraud and announcing the AV:

March 15, 2009. Curitiba, Brazil. On March 1, 2009, 15 young women took a step of greater generosity with God in the Regnum Christi Movement. A total of 7 women consecrated their lives to God, while an additional 8 solemnly renewed their promises. The solemn renewal of promises takes place two years after consecration.

If these women were even told about the problems with the founder in Feb 2009, they were almost finished their period of discernment period (which is already scandalously short), and the renewal of promises by the rest was also not made with full knowledge -- despite the fact that the Legionaries giving them formation and hearing their confessions did know. This ceremony took place while Fr Corcuera was moving from meeting to meeting in Rome, with his initial letter of response rebuffed by the CDF, and uncertain of the future of the Movement. How, in good conscience, could anyone move forward to dedicate one's life to God through the Movement under those circumstances?

Related to this, having asked that testimonies and concerns be mailed to one's local bishop and cc:ed to the CDF, I would add the grave importance of including the Bishop of Providence, RI on any correspondence having to do with the consecrated women or those girls in the pre-candidacy. He doesn't have personal jurisdiction over the women involved, but he should be informed about what is going on in the houses of formation that are located in his diocese.

Bishop Thomas Tobin
Diocese of Providence
One Cathedral Square
Providence, RI  02903

New Testimony

About me:
In the Legion: 1992-1996.
Location: Cheshire, CONN.
Apostolic work: Fund raising from US catholic millionaires.

After reading about the Maciel news few days ago on CNN, I did some browsing to revisit what's been going on with LC and RC after 12years of forgetfulness. I would like to say few things to all of you. Feel free to copy-paste my posting to post as many sites as you like so that more people can read.

Here are the reasons why I joined the LC as many of you can sympathize. I was told of these things:
1. Faithful to the Tradition.
2. Devoted to Mary.
3. Old Jesuit spirit.

Here are the reasons why I left the Legion.

Reading between the lines

Churchmen, as a rule, are a chivalrous and diplomatic sort, saying all the good possible and padding the bad in a language that takes a little parsing. If that process were applied to the recent hard-hitting interview of Archbishop O'Brien by John Allen, one would be amazed at what is distilled:

You've run an Apostolic Visitation. What does it take to get it right?

First of all, it takes some trust on the part of the institution that's being reviewed. That means cooperation, full cooperation, including opening all the books and providing all the background that's required to get a full picture.

Are you confident the Legionaries are ready to cooperate?

I hope so. I'll put it that way: I really do hope so. It depends on so many individuals being open, because it just takes a few to try to block it and to mislead. I hope that the Legionaries will realize that in the long run, this is going to help them.

You're recently had talks in Rome with Fr. Alvaro Corcuera, the superior of the Legionaries. Are you confident he's ready to cooperate?

I can't say. I'm quite sure he would want to see this thing cleared up, and I hope he'll realize that the best way is to encourage everyone to cooperate.

So the hopes of cooperation from the Legion aren't very strong at this point. In fact he knows how easily the Visit can be derailed, as noted in the second answer.

The most blunt answer, of course, is the third, because he has met Fr Corcuera -- whom members of the Movement have indicated has been going from dicastery to dicastery, meeting with everyone possible in order to get this right. If that is so, and the best that O'Brien can say is, "I can't say," well then, ouch. 

So what is the work of the Visitators? The Archbishop indicates the following:

• find the extent of MM's toxic reach
• find the collaborators who made it possible
• recognise a concrete step of good will towards the victims
• get an accurate count of all Legionaries
• uncover what creates the "atmosphere of fear" about leaving
• dismantle the cult of secrecy in the group
• expose any problematic recruiting strategies
• unravel any problematic financial elements

For those who have any doubts about the importance of this Visitation, consider the weight O'Brien places on it:

I would think that this is a one-shot thing, that we'll have one swing at this, and I hope that it answers the questions and responds to the doubts that so many people have raised...This is a solemn obligation they have. It's very serious. Souls are at stake, lives are at stake.

So very, very true. We've prayed for such a thing for years. We now must pray like mad that it succeeds. If there are shadows, remember that the Prince of Shadows would love for them to remain -- for the sake of those very souls.

If the rank-and-file receive these Visitators with the understanding that "they're working directly for the Holy Father," then those who love the Church will speak openly. If they play games (as already indicated by splitting hairs about who they will consider "legitimate superiors") then we're back to the same old cultishness.

Only the Church herself has the everlasting guarantee of infallibility: if the Legion is to continue and truly serve the true Church, then the loyalty must be to the Pope, not the Movement. When the Legion hierarchy submits to that truth, we'll all be on the same team.

Consider the alternatives

With an Apostolic Visitation "on the horizon" (pace, SS) existing members of the Legion of Christ and the Regnum Christi Movement have to consider some options. There is a growing tendency to see this event as a reason to "wait and see," as though it would be best to suspend all judgment pending the outcome. It's an interesting response, but I don't think it's the only valid one. The fact that the Visitation has to happen at all is an enormous red flag, indicating that there are very troubling details in existence already.

In that light, I would suggest bringing the following to prayer:

• The lay members of RC (meaning first and second degree members) should consider writing to their bishop to tell him about anything troubling them concerning the methodology or the people given to lead them. The Bishop is not necessarily part of the Visitation (probably not) but he will know what to do with these concerns, and they can be assessed by the proper authorities. Even ex-members could do this, with an explanation of why they left. Imagine His Excellency of Heartland, USA receiving 25-30 letters. After making a mental note of what is going on right under his nose, he would then bundle them and send them along to the AV team. If there are commonalities across the country, it would help to guide them towards a proper decision. Take a moment, find pen, paper and stamp and do your part. This is a rare opportunity.
• There is a move that can be taken without leaving the group, and that would be to go "inactive." This only requires the courtesy of contacting the team leader to say you'd like to take some time to consider the nature of the group, to read and pray, and to discuss your "vocation" with others who may have insights not immediately available to those on the "inside." The response of the team leader may actually help in this discernment process, because her respect for your freedom as a baptised Catholic to choose such things may be an indicator of how the entire "chain of command" sees that freedom.
• Parents of minors in houses of formation should talk to trusted (nonLC) priest friends immediately. They should realise that the control exercised in-house is so carefully managed that the youngsters have a difficult time expressing their thoughts and feelings. Consider children caught between fighting or divorced parents, who struggle to please each one and try to amend the situation with their own behaviour. Listen carefully to their words, but also read between the lines. They may want out, but fear saying the words aloud, because they have been told that their own salvation and the souls of others depend on their generosity. Pray your way through this, knowing that the graces attached to the sacrament of matrimony enable you to make good decisions. In case you fear making a "wrong" decision, weigh the potential harms attached to removing your child for a year against leaving the child in a school subject to existing Vatican concerns or unknown factors.
• The consecrated members of RC are not bound to the Movement, despite any indications to the contrary. They are not legitimately consecrated, or "brides of Christ," any more than we all are as part of Holy Mother Church. They are zealous, generous, marvelous souls and deserving of enormous gratitude, but they are also free to go home to think about things. If that's not possible, or ideal, then we have the names of lovely, dedicated Religious Sisters who would be happy to host them for a discernment period -- not to bring them into their communities, but simply out of genuine love for them and a desire to help discover God's most holy will. Even should a member wish to leave the consecrated life, there is no sin in that decision, and a visit to one's home Bishop will release a person from these promises once and for all.
• Legionaries are in a more complex situation, because of the nature of holy orders, even minor orders. It is not unreasonable to ask for a discernment period at home, or to talk to a vocations director at a diocesan seminary. This is not to transfer the vocation (for they are very different environments) but to gather information on how other men see the discernment process, what the the human and spiritual formation appropriate to the priesthood consists of, and to get some fresh perspective on how others see the needs of the Church in the present age. They would also have practical information to consider about how to transfer the vocation, should that be an appropriate choice -- but that isn't the primary reason for seeking an appointment.

It should be evident to all that this is not a time for recruitment, and yet the Movement sees otherwise. Information has trickled in over the last few weeks concerning recruitment drives, apostolic intensity and no change in direction in that regard. This is problematic for two reasons:

1. the members are inviting others into a group that is the midst of an existential crisis, and has proven so gravely deficient as to warrant the pending Visitation; and
2. it doesn't allow existing members the extra time and peace of mind to ponder their own relationship to the Movement. They are kept working at their usual dizzying pace as though to let up would allow the enemies of the Church to "win." That is not the case at all -- those watching from the sidelines would welcome such reflection. That there is no evidence of this is worrysome -- like a new widow who doesn't even take time off of work after the funeral. Everyone understands the grieving process and is perplexed by the lack of it in this case.

Please know many are praying for God's will to prevail in this difficult time. Members of the Movement are not alone, but supported by thousands and more faithful Catholics who want the Church to be as united and strong as possible amidst the secular gloom descending around us. In that wise, let us assume the best of each others' intentions and know that the only way for good to prevail is to invest all persons with the freedom to choose God -- without manipulation, without pressure and without fear.

UPDATE: For a more thorough and credible list of thoughts on such things (from a canon lawyer) go here.

[Please know that this post may be amended to incorporate to the added wisdom and necessary corrections that are welcome from all readers.]

Legionary discernment -- take note

Many associated with the Legion of Christ and Regnum Christi Movement have heard troubling stories of the difficulty in extracting members, especially from the houses of formation. Not only has their conscience been so formed as to internally police themselves against outside information, but even physical means are used to keep the family from exerting influence or making contact. The parent-child bond, in particular, is undermined with an insidious wedge, so that legitimate concerns are interpreted as demonic temptations and those suggesting that there may be problems with the methodology are considered enemies of the Church.

[I am redacting the details of a recent episode for the benefit of those involved, so that there is complete privacy surrounding their journey to family unity. Kindly keep them in your prayers.]

I humbly beg each reader [still] to consider:

• What sort of discernment process nails its members to the mission in an atmosphere of secrecy and fear?
• Can a brother truly discern his own vocation when others in the community depend on his commitment?
• Why is the Legion threatened by its members requests to take some time with the family to find God's holy will?
• What sort of organisation threatens lawsuits against its critics?
• How much are you willing to pray and fast that the true nature of this Movement come to light?

Many families are agonising over their options with sons and daughters in Legion schools, houses of formation and apostolates. Please take note that the Legion often plays hardball.

Let's join together to restore freedom and dignity to all the members of the Mystical Body of Christ. Many families are counting on your prayers. Saint Joseph, wise head of the Holy Family, be our guide!

AV is really a "show of support"

Thy Kingdom Come!

Dear Regnum Christi members and friends in Christ,

Greetings. Various Cardinals in the Roman Curia and elsewhere have shown the support that the Holy See has for us in this great vocation to the Movement that God has given us. The Church very much knows the great gift that we have, and she very much is encouraging us to transmit this gift to the Church and to the souls that are entrusted to our care.

To further show its support, the Holy Father, has decided to order an apostolic visitation of the Legion to help us to move forward vigorously. The Holy See wants to show its trust in us and offer us a chance to show the authenticity of the gift that we have to the Church.  The Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, has written a letter to announce this.  For a further explanation of the apostolic visitation, a copy of the Cardinal’s letter, and Fr Álvaro’s response to this great gift, go to: 

http://www.regnumchristi.org/english/ or http://www.legionariesofchrist.org/eng/index.phtml

Be assured of our prayers. If there is anything that we can do, please let us know. Take care and God bless you.

_____________________________

The above letter is from an LC superior to the RC members under his care. You see, the Visitation is not an indication of anything wrong -- it's like a thorough check from the health department, just to assure the customers that the restaurant is all clear. They were in the neighbourhood anyway...

A new analogy came to me. Yes, all analogies limp, but try this one:

Your parents are celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary. Like all couples, they've weathered their "vicissitudes," with a major crisis being an affair that your father had decades back. They worked through it and your mother forgave from her heart -- so that they have really enjoyed the last few years. After the anniversary Mass, the invited guests assemble at a nearby reception hall and prepare for a lovely evening. All your siblings have helped with arrangements, and the entertainment was left to your brother, who has promised that he has a really, really good singer who knows all their favourite songs. Out walks the daughter of the woman with whom your father had the affair. Everyone is shocked, and loses their appetites. The meal is quiet, small talk is forced, and mother sits with a plastic smile for the duration of the evening.

Later, the siblings all surround this brother to ask, "How could you?"

He answers in disbelief, "She's a great singer! She studied at Julliard and really appreciated the gig. Can't we just move on? Everything was forgiven, and she didn't do anything wrong..."

Southern Catholic College

I'm not sure why, but rumours are simmering about the Legion undertaking the due-diligence that may point to associating themselves in some way with Southern Catholic College. These stories couldn't be true, because Fr Bannon just noted that the seminarians were in danger of going hungry because of a drop-off in donations (probably a combination of financial crisis and the news about the founder). Time will tell many things, including who will come to the aid of this good school, which (like all schools) is in need of benefactors.

UPDATE: The deal has just gone through, according to one source. It seems as though some things with the Legion are continuing, "business as usual." It seems mighty odd for them to be expanding their influence while under imminent scrutiny by an Apostolic Visitation. Remember that Archbishop O'Brien said "he cannot in good conscience recommend that anyone join the Legion or Regnum Christi, its affiliated lay movement." Obviously, whether parents ought to send their children to schools they manage is a related concern.

UPDATE II: This situation may not be final after all, since one person indicated to me that the final transaction requires Vatican approval. I think the outcome will be interesting, even if it's not resolved for some time. This could be a bellwether of Legionary educational endeavors. Or not. (How's that for leaving my options open?)

Vocabulary

"Vicissitudes" is such a lovely word. I learned it early in life and have always had a great affection for its charm. I've been thinking about Fr Alvaro's use of it, since it's hardly in one's daily normal grab-bag of words, and even more peculiar since English is not his first language. His context was:

I have thanked the Holy Father from my heart for offering us this additional help to face our present vicissitudes.

So I looked it up to be sure of a nagging suspicion it brought to mind. Sure enough,it refers to "successive, alternating or changing phases or conditions, as of life or fortune, ups or downs... regular change or succession of one state or thing to another." The sentence used as an example is "They remained friends through the vicissitudes of 40 years."

Well, isn't that quaint? Do you see why this word was chosen? It leads one to believe that the current situation in the Legion isn't much more than a normal bump in the road, a pothole that can only be expected after a harsh winter or lots of rain. It even allows us to consider the Legion a passive bystander subject to the "fortunes" that swirl about them -- which is hardly 1. mature, or 2. Christian.

The spin is taking on a life of its own, as members are encouraged to go to Mother Legion for all questions about this annoying flat tire on the King's highway. No doubt, the tone of their answers will flesh out this charming and quaint view of Legion-land, where sincere souls are criticised for matters beyond their control by those who's own "vicissitudes" have simply not been as harsh.

This falls neatly into the response category that we've all heard. "We're all sinners -- who can judge?"

UPDATE: an attentive reader noted that Cardinal Bertone was the first to use the word. Very true -- and I'm quite disappointed in his choice. Perhaps an astute linguist could check the original language and see if there are other possible translations?

UPDATE II: My readers are awesome. A commenter writes:

I translate as a living. I have translated & edited numerous documents for non-American, non-English speaking priests (German, Italian, French) and they all seem to have an inexplicable fondness for that word! ... Trying to get these priests to give up the word vicissitude is like trying to wrench a dead fish out of a stubborn seal's mouth. I do not know why. I do not know what fascination this word holds for them.

More details in the combox. Live and learn!

UPDATE III: Another sharp cookie chimes in:

The original letter from Cardinal Bertone is written in Italian, using the word circostanze, that is "circumstances."

Four syllables (Paul!) and a little more direct. We're honing in on a better meaning, thankfully. I realise, though, that the translations are subject to clerical spin on both sides.

Remember Mrs Hubbard

Agatha Christi's Murder on the Orient Express had a clever character named Harriet Belinda Hubbard, whose signature lines always began with, "My daughter said..." She was meant to be ignored as an unserious person whose ethos rested in her daughter's words and experiences rather than her own. She claimed that her daughter had placed her on the train with a firm admonition that nothing would happen, that returning to England should be a straight-forward and simple thing. Of course, the journey was everything but -- and her signature shrieks laced many a page with references to that daughter's promises.

That book came to mind as I read Fr Alvaro's response to Cardinal Bertone's letter -- a response that (for whatever reason) took three weeks to write and make public. I have made many references to the BITE mechanism that indicates cult-like activities, and this would be a good time to see what the rank-and-file understand their response to be (in terms of behaviour, information, thinking and emotion).

What language has the Legion hierarchy adopted to deal with this serious and foreboding visitation?

• deep gratitude for the Church's fatherly concern, advice and support.
• this confirms us in our mission at the service of the Church
• this is an additional help to face our present vicissitudes
• we are full of confidence in divine Providence
• may God grant us the grace to continue to seek holiness

I repeat, as noted below, that a Visitation is an onerous burden and a difficult undertaking. It is entirely possible to read this step by the Secretary of State as another grave censure on a troubled congregation. It could be justification for parents to ask their sons and daughters to come home, to talk with diocesan officials about other options for their vocations, and to rethink membership in the very Movement used to recruit and fund-raise for this group under such suspicion. All of these would be prudent considerations and entirely plausible to loyal members of the lay faithful.

But will they think independently enough to do so, or will they imitate Mrs Hubbard and spout the thoughts of the LC superiors in place of their own? Will we simply hear these thoughts and attitudes rehashed by Regnum Christi members everywhere, as though this is actually a positive step in Building the Kingdom? My worst conjecture is that they'll spin this as an actual Seal of Approval to help in recruiting, as though a Visitator in the house will guarantee that everything is kosher.

I'll post appropriate [parroted] references when they appear.

[note bene: The fact that Mrs Hubbard was a fraud only adds icing to the cake.]

Responses thus far:

1. "Legionaries have always been known for their obedience to Holy See. So this is good wherever you look at it. Very very good. They will show again that they are full of true obedience and sound Christ-centered people" (comment on an AmP thread).

2. This is simply a chance "to let the Vatican get to know the LC a tiny bit better, and to accompany the LC in the process..." (Fr. Javier Bravo, LC calling in to Mexican radio show hosted by Sergio Sarmiento to explain what a "visitation" is).

3. "I think you absolutely need a reconfirmation by the church that (the Legionaries of Christ) is something that is good, that is a work of God, and that this has to go on, and not the contrary." (Fr Thomas Williams, LC in CNA interview)

4. I have heard from a couple of Legionaries and they seem to be happy about this development and are serenely going about their regular duties, as are all 600 or so LC in Rome itself. If you had a chance to read the El Mercurio article from a week or so ago, you will have seen that they were already anticipating this down in Santiago, and the comments there were that a visitation can only be a help, and not only that, but that it also gives some prelates who may not have known the Legion well the chance to get to know it better, which will be for the good (comment on AmP thread).

[This latest comment makes the Visitation sound like a "meet and greet," or fraternity rush party]