life-after-RC

Curiosity on the LOC site

As I was perusing the Legion site, seeing what numbers and apolostolates they're still visibly associated with (more stealth works remain), I saw that under "Education" they claim an association with the JP2 Pontifical Institute for Marriage and Family. This is ... curious, to say the least. I never before realised that there was a link, and so I looked at the school's official site.

Since many works use the previous Pontiff's name in their titles, I thought maybe there were two. But they're both Pontifical institutes (that's a BIG deal), both founded in 1981, and they share all the other details. The school itself has no board members who are LC, no listed profs or alumni that would explain the claim, and wasn't started by the Legion, I am wondering what their reason for claiming the schools as one of their "works" (along with the schools that they do run):

We have to let Jesus Christ reign in man’s heart, mind, and life. The specific mission of the educational institutions of the Legion and Regnum Christi is to form integral people, working together with their families, so that they will be leaders of positive action and convinced builders of the civilization of justice and love according to the principles of Christian humanism. This is the ideal summed up in the motto “Integer Homo”.

The only justification might be that they send some of their members to the school. That's nice. But then we seem to have some serious obfuscation concerning the Legion's real association.

[This school (in the surveying stage) relies on the same Integral Formation noted on the LOC page and links to NCE -- a distinct L/R brand, but offers no other visible link. If indeed, this is not a school associated with the Legion (and certainly they are not known for the Trivuum methodology) then they should be very careful, since the Legion has trademarked the concept "Integral formation."]

Abuse in precandidacy

Nicole Winfield has published another article on the Legion situation. This one covers the abuses in the Precandidacy (PC) program in Rhode Island.

Former PCs have posted their stories on the 49 Weeks blog.

 

(Posted by Deirdre Mundy at Giselle's request.)

Corrected with proper location for PC. Sorry for the mistake! -DM

More alleged child abuse in a Legion school

This school seems to be weathering a storm concerning numerous charges of molestation. The alleged victims were aged 4 or 5, and four persons were arrested. There is no indication that the ones arrested were Legionaries, but there's no clarity about what an "auxiliary" is. At least two computers and a camera were seized.

The school, meanwhile, also took up the matter and issued a statement announcing that the four defendants, who served as auxiliaries, were removed from their posts. Also it announced that the establishment will take part in the investigation ordered by the Attorney General.

Personally, I don't think that having the school's help is a good thing, although perhaps there's no way around it. For the authorities to collaborate with a group that has proven that its own reputation is paramount and that victims are an obstacle or annoyance guarantees that there are diametrically opposed ends. No matter what, those who are charged will be dumped overboard--perhaps even while being fed critical information to derail justice--and the parents will be told whatever is necessary to keep them invested in the school.

Unless a wealthy parent pursues it in the secular press...

Making school plans

Parents always need to stay one step ahead, and even though the 2011-12 school year hasn't ended, we're all mulling over the options for next year. With the changes in the Movement, some schools are closing, others combining, and others staying the course. Where will we place our children, we wonder...?

Before anyone considers a boarding school under the watchful eye of Legionaries or 3gf's, kindly consider this testimony of a girl who went to the pre-candidacy in RI. I'll pull just a few segments, beginning when she came home (hoping to return). The bold is my own:

I woke up the next morning a different person.  I had left home as bubbly, happy, irrepressible, irresponsible 14-year-old.  I came back a much older, sadder, more serious, and shyer 16-year-old.  I was coming back to a different family, too -- I now had a younger brother.  Everything seemed weird and different -- like it wasn't at all the family I had left, but a new family I was going to have to adjust to...

[If my parents yelled at me or criticised me} I could clearly see that their anger was more about what was going on in their own lives than it was about  me.  They weren't saying calculated things to "test" me.  They were just doing their thing, and sometimes they weren't as gentle as they could have been.  It no longer bothered me.  I realized that I had had a lot more "harshness" from my formators than I had ever had from my family.  Besides, I had changed overnight from the girl who dissolved into tears over everything.  I felt like I had no feelings at all.  I felt annoyed when people looked for an emotional connection with me, trying to share feelings or hug me.  I didn't want to be touched anymore.  And my feelings were a shameful thing I didn't want to share...

Pretty soon even I was able to recognize that I was deeply depressed.  The only emotion I felt was a deep misery and loneliness.  I called up the one former classmate whose number I had.  She was very understanding.  "When does it get better?" I asked.  "I'll let you know," she said.  She told me of others who had turned to alcohol or drugs to numb the pain after going home.  I was shocked...

The other person [who saved me] was my little brother.  It was so different to have someone who needed me.  No longer was I "forming myself" just for the sake of forming myself.  I had to smile even if I felt sad, not because it was the right thing to do, but because Joseph needed a smile from me.  I had to leap up and help, not because I had been assigned to help, but because he needed help right then and couldn't wait.  He was generous with smiles, appreciation, and hugs.  I didn't feel comfortable hugging anyone but him, but he reintroduced me to the world of touch and it was so comforting.

This is a young woman who came home, only to find that she had been lied to -- she wouldn't be invited back, although she worked hard on the things they told her that would enable her to stay. Imagine the ones who stayed. Read it and see what you can do to make healthy decisions for your children, and bring this information to light for others.

ADDENDUM: I'll add a few more excerpts, below.

Blog for exPC's

"Mercy" kindly points out that there is a tremendous new blog which has the potential to be very helpful for those who spent time in the pre-candidacy:

This blog is an account of the experiences of former Precandidates of the Regnum Christi Movement.  Many of us suffered real mental and emotional damage in our years at Immaculate Conception Academy.  We share our stories here to warn parents of the very real dangers of handing your daughters over to this flawed institution.  What you see when your daughters come home for a week at Christmas and two weeks in the summer is not what happens the other 49 weeks of the year.

It offers brutally honest testimonies of former students, and mature efforts to dissect their experiences. While anyone can comment, the posts themselves seem to have been offered through a private Facebook account. Kudos for the initiative, and prayers for further healing of this generous group of young women.

ADDENDUM: Longtime reader Deirdre Mundy kindly breaks down the strategy into bite-sized pieces.

1. They isolated the girls from their peers and families at a very vulnerable age (when a girl's allegience is normally shifting from family-oriented to peer-oriented);

2. They redirected this natural shift so that the allegience would shift to the 3gF leaders, in the absence of anyone else to serve as a role model or companion;

3. They forbid the sort of close friendships that usually sustain and strengthen girls in their teen years, and replaced them with a reliance on Maciel's conception of Jesus (which overlapped with himself to a high degree);

4. They then worked to instill in the girls that they weren't good enough or loveable enough and that they had to work harder to be likeable enough for God (i.e. the anecdote about reading "How to Win Friends and Influence People" in order to transform oneself into 3gF material);

5. They were fed a sort of Pelagianism--that their own efforts, actions, and results were what made them holy;

6. They were constantly beaten down in secret, but told to plaster a smile on in public, so each broken girl faced a mass of 'serenity.' This ensured they all suffered alone, without support;

7. When they left, they were told it was their own fault.

None of this was accidental. It was all written into the system. PC was DESIGNED to break these girls and hurt them and abuse them.

Good memories only!

A former PC offers this guest post:

News has come out from the girls’ boarding school in Wakefield, Immaculate Conception Academy, that the school is closing.  Enrollment and tuition are down, and the Movement can no longer afford to keep it open. Meanwhile, the precandidacy program is moving to Michigan. The girls will attend Everest Academy in Oxford, while maintaining their own program.

This change means that the girls will be attending school with “normal” teenagers, including boys. It’s a big step along a process of loosening the restrictions on the precandidates. Recent rules changes have included a reduction in the amount of prayer time expected, a change in the dress code permitting pants on outings, and an increase in the amount of phone time with family.

A current consecrated wrote on Facebook:

In the US, as I understand, they also want the PCs to be more in contact with the "real world", not as sheltered, so that they mature as is normal. They will be a group apart, but will go to class with the school at Oxford, as the letter explains. . . . So that's part of the reason why they're going to Michigan, it's not only because of the Movement's economic situation.

Economics do seem to be a factor, though. They insist they will not be selling the school building, but “haven’t decided yet” what to use it for. 

Caroline Wilders, the outgoing director, posted about the change as well:

With this announcement comes another one which you probably have already heard about: Immaculate Conception Academy is relocating to Michigan at the end of this school year.  The PCs will live at the Oxford center and will attend classes at Everest Collegiate. This was a plan that has been in the works for some time. As the enrollment has gone down, tuition has decreased, and in the changing world we live in we needed to find ways to adapt our excellent program to the changing needs of the adolescents who attend the PC. . . . In addition the geographical location is more central and therefore closer to the majority of the students’ families enabling more frequent family visits.

The new director will be Margarita Martinez, a former precandidate who has been consecrated for sixteen years.

As a former precandidate myself, it does sound like good news. Things are opening up a bit, so that the girls are able to be exposed to some influences outside their formators’ control. However, is it really any more than a cosmetic change? Will the girls be discouraged from forming exclusive friendships with each other and “outsiders,” from talking with male classmates, or from telling anyone about what it’s like in the PC program? So far the voices coming out of the precandidacy have the same tone they always had, still upbeat and optimistic despite having been forced to make this drastic change. How can we ever know if that’s real?

As a “last hurrah” for the school, they are hosting a reunion of all former PC’s this Memorial Day weekend. It’s supposed to be “just like the old days,” with a similar schedule and activities. They are opening up a dorm for the former PC’s to stay in. Many former precandidates have been very excited about this chance to relive the good times, while others hope to go for some sense of closure.

I think it is nice that, after years of ignoring former precandidates, forbidding current PC’s to write to us, and pretending we don’t exist, they are finally opening their home to us. On the other hand, it isn’t free. They are estimating a cost of “about $150” for the weekend, including “the expenses such as eight meals, busses, electricity and water, etc.” For those who choose to stay in a hotel and furnish their own food, there will be a smaller fee. Is this a gift to us, or a fundraising attempt? Those who are going are also taking up a collection to give the precandidates a gift, such as a statue of Mary, to take with them to Michigan.

Many of the women invited were looking forward to sharing negative as well as positive experiences with their old classmates. But it’s beginning to look as though, just like old times, that sort of talk will not be welcome. The coordinator of the event, a former precandidate, wrote on the Facebook wall of the event:

Also, for everyone’s general information.........I realize that the issue of Regnum Christi is like the elephant in the room. I, as much as anyone, have questions. Father Luis Garza will be doing questions at 11:15 on Sunday for anyone that wants to come...........I think this would be maybe a good time to come up with any questions you may have that are unanswered. Rather than ruin everyone’s great memories of what we received and put a cloud over the fun we could have..........lets save it for the questions period. If you didn't like your PC experience, don’t come............I mean this in all charity. But this event is for those of us that want clarity, closing, to reunite, have fun, relax, etc...........Hopefully this way, these issues can be addressed without upsetting others around us. Cant wait to see everyone there!

Posting of links to the ReGain website were also deleted.

After hearing all of this, I decided I had no interest in attending. But many of the disaffected former precandidates who had been invited instead formed their own Facebook group, in the hopes of sharing their stories and finding closure on their own. Perhaps that will be a positive result of this reunion.

Closing another school

This concerns the precandidacy in Brasil (a high school for young women, equivalent to Immaculate Conception in RI, which is also moving) and is very good news:

Through this I would like to let you know that after careful and deep reflection, for light to God, our Lord, in the prayer and having consulted the P. Montan, the regional director and his advice. I along with my advisors, director of the Center Student and directors of the territory, we had to make the decision to temporarily cease the activities of the school as from the second half of this year for the following reasons:

1. The number of students to the program in February was very small: begin with 10 youths, some of which returned home at the end of the semester by personal choice.

2. This implies a high cost to keep the teachers, given the economic situation of the territory is not possible to maintain.

The decision to close the school does not exclude the possibility that Student Center members who wish to continue a process of vocational discernment, to do so. We are analyzing whether it is possible for young people to study in a external school and continue with the activities of the Precandidacy living in the center. If they do not accept this and decide to return to their homes, the course of action will be defined in each case to provide supervision for them. This will be decided in the following months.

The steps to follow for the next course of 2013 in relation to the Precandidacy will have to be analyzed by the general government, the territorial governments and the participation of the consecrated members in the discernment process that we starting.

This has been a difficult decision, but let us ask God, Our Lord, and Mary to enlighten us so that, far from a decline the enthusiasm and zeal for vocations, this becomes an opportunity to discover new paths.

Entrusting myself to your prayers, I remain yours, AFMA. In Christ and in the Movement, Gaby Spamer.

I ask that all readers offer prayers for these young women, who have been generous thus far with God. They are young, and may put their zeal to good effect. It sounds like many are looking for other ways to proceed with formation, which is a very good thing, for the Church certainly needs them!

MEC and formation

There is a blog post at RC live with one of the oddest questions I've ever heard in relation to vocations. It concerns the end of the school year when the graduates (3gf's) are given their destinations, which is an emotionally tumultuous time:

“We find out sometime in June.” notes Therese Maher, a senior at MEC. “Last year the seniors found out where they would go and what they would do the day after their graduation.”

Sound dismal?

The joy and conviction written on their faces replies a hearty “no”.

“We’ve given all to Christ and the Church.” says senior Stephanie Pangtay "It doesn’t matter where we go or what we do because we’re not seeking a life of success but a life of service.”

Nevertheless, feelings are mixed regarding departure day for the soon-to-be graduates.

“It will be hard to leave but it’s exciting to start the next chapter of our consecrated life out there in the apostolate” says Carolina Tavares.

Fellow senior Mary DeGoede feels a “healthy blend of excitement and apprehension” in the face of what is to come. On the other hand Laura Kulman shivers at the memory of seeing a senior burst into tears at the breakfast table after dropping, of all things, an apple on the floor. It’s no wonder the rising graduates are a little nervous.

The big day doesn’t feature on the official MEC calendar, not only because its date is unknown, but because departure day has already begun. The charge of tears, planes and rent-a-car’s of the event pale in comparison with the quasi-atmosphere which has already emerged, “This will be our last Christmas together” … “We have to savor this moment together while it lasts” … “Where do you want to go…where do you think you’ll go…?” The real question is: should a cap be put on a woman’s emotions? [my bold]

Why on earth is that the real question? What is wrong with the tears associated with good-byes and anxiety over the future? While our faith tells us to have courage, what is wrong with feeling emotions?

As for Mater Ecclesiae College (in Greenville, RI) there seems to be a change coming, in that they will begin to take in paying students, instead of being solely for RC women in formation. Interesting, given the financial constraints that the Movement now faces, as well as the dwindling number of vocations. No doubt it was to expand the clientele or close entirely. Should be an interesting year.

UPDATE: Speaking of 3gf's, Paul Lennon has translated an excellent blog post by Nieves Garcia, who explains why 340 of her former comrades have left the "consecrated" life.

UPDATE II: from the combox, we hear that the pre-candidacy in Wakefield, RI (Immaculate Conception Academy) is moving to Oxford, MI; thus the girls will be attending school in Michigan in the fall. Rumour is that the house--the old Cross and Passion convent--will be sold. No substantiation yet, hence no link.

Speaking of the Regina Apostolorum

A kind Brother wishes to explain what the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum is all about:

Let me give you a quick explanation and then explain our athenaeum.

“Athenaeum” comes from a school in ancient Rome for the study of the arts but the Church adapted this name for an institute of a certain level. The Vatican grants the title “Pontifical” to four levels of institutions: institutes, faculties, athenaeums, and universities.

• A faculty is just what you and I would think of at any university.
• An institute
• A pontifical university has to have 3 ecclesial faculties, a certain number of students, longevity, and an intellectual reputation based on published articles and having eminent professors.
• · From the time a second faculty is opened until it is a full university, it is an athenaeum.

Now for a little history: we started back in 1993 and got definitive canonical status back in 2004. We started with Philosophy and Theology but then added the world’s first – and still only – faculty of bioethics to confront the problems of today. We have the main requirements for becoming a Pontifical University but we have to work on some of minor things and an official decree.

These things take time, for instance the Salesians got their decree from the Vatican in 1940 but were not a University until 1973; we got the equivalent decree in 2004. Hopefully, in a few years we will be able to say Pontifical University Regina Apostolorum.

What does he mean that they have the only bioethics faculty in the world? And if the Salesians took 33 years to become a University, why would the Legion have one in a "few years?" Furthermore, "eminent professors," "longevity," and "reputation" don't sound like minor details, but perhaps I'm a "glass half-empty" sort of girl.

Nothing says "management" like the Legion

Who knew that they could prepare college kids to be business managers, capable of taking home mad skill--by means of spending 89 days in Rome with Legionaries as personal leadership coaches?

As a Pre-University student at SSM, you will attend classes that have direct applications in the workplace. A Swiss School of Management program stands for much more than excellence in education, as our goal is to nurture leaders that can inspire others, demonstrate oustanding skills, and work in global environments. Take a look at our Pre-University Leadership program, and you will walk away with an experience to last a lifetime.

You'll be gratified to know that one of the five pillars of leadership is authenticity:

An authentic person says what they think and acts according to what they believe. There is no room for duplicity in a leader. We live in a century when distrust of leaders abounds, founded on demonstrated insincerity and duplicity of public officials, business leaders, and media stars.

By definition, a leader is someone that influences others in a distinct direction. When leaders are not true to themselves and true to others, they foster a culture of insincerity and duplicity. An effective leader must be able to instill trust and confidence in others.

And the cost?

11,000 € + 4,000 for lodging, 8 tours, insurance, weekday lunches and two weekend getaway leadership training sessions. The summer semester is 7,000 € for tuition, lodging, 6 tours, 1 weekend getaway trip to Tuscany and weekday lunches.

For college kids. Really. To learn Italian and Western Civ, and sip wine in Tuscan villas. My own children are too busy working multiple jobs and scraping together their FAFSA forms for the coming semester to dream of such things.