But I have to wonder how their understanding of Theology plays into the other reasons?
The two biggest reasons I have heard is their refusal to open dialogue and communication with the local bishop when they are working within his diocese and “recruitment” of those under the age of 18 with out diocesen or parents’ approval or knowledge.
Seems a bit off on obedience to local ordinaries.
I can only comment on what I have heard. I have not been part of their issues with the bishops. I can’t claim personal knowledge. I have heard some good things about them, such as that their youth programs are very good. I heard that from a woman whose daughters went through one of their programs and was very happy.
That being said, I have also heard that they have a pattern of extending their outreach without the local bishop’s permission. That’s a big NO NO. What most people don’t know is that the laity is the responsibility of the bishop, not the religious. Therefore, no religious institute can do ministry in any diocese without the bishop’s permission and often that permission is limited to a specific role, parish, school, etc.
As Brother knows, even those of us who belong to older and more establish communities (ie. Carmelites, Franciscans, Dominicans, etc) can only minister where the bishop grants permission. My own community is restricted to one parish and to Respect Life. That’s what the local bishop needed. We can’t open up other ministries outside of those parameters.
When the friars decided to break off to found a new community, they had to go through their major superior first and then through the bishop. The bishop assigned a priest of his trust to be the contact person between the new community and him. You can’t just expand and extend without boundaries in any diocese, even if you believe that you’re saving souls. It is no good to save others and lose yourself
I have never seen a copy of the Constitutions of the Legion. But most constitutions of religioius institutes or their statutes make it clear that the institute shall not enter, preach, work or even live in any diocese where they do not have permission from the local bishop. What I have heard is that the Legion has done all the above in about five dioceses across the USA.
My guess is that it was not done to create trouble, but that there is a serious communication problem between their leadership and the bishops. When you see this reported several times, in different dioceses, you begin to wonder about the institute’s leadership. There are always going to be misunderstanding between a bishop and the people in his diocese. But several bishops in different dioceses and the same religious institute raises some concerns. I realize that this is more of a canonical point than a theological one. But it’s an important point, becausee it can send a message that the bishop can by bypassed. That sends a message aboiut the authority of the bishop.
Fraternally,
Br. JR, OSF
