Legionaries of Christ and the Tridentine Mass?

[cathguy]

From Fr. Richard Gill , Director of Regnum Christi in New York and of Our Lady of Mt. Kisco Retreat Center.

I’ve been a Legionary priest since 1991 and I have always loved my Congregation and my priestly vocation and I only hope Our Lord has used it as an effective means of grace for many people to find their way to a deeper relationship with Christ.

I thought I knew Fr. Maciel. I do believe he did many good things for many people. I have benefitted greatly from the formation and life I have lived as a Legionary for twenty-eight years. I defended Fr. Maciel because to the extent I thought I knew him, I sincerely believed the allegations against him were baseless.

Yet, in light of what has been coming out about him, I must say I am terribly sorry to have defended him. I believe I acted in good faith, yet nonetheless did an injustice to the victims.

I am deeply sorry to the people who have suffered from these inexcusable and reprehensible actions of Fr. Maciel. No person should have to suffer abuse at the hands of a priest in whom they have put their trust. And his actions have damaged the holiness of the Church and contributed to the alienation many people feel due to similar scandals in the Church.

I offer my prayers and sacrifices for anyone who was victimized, so they may continue to heal and discover the love of Jesus Christ.

I am confident that our superiors are working closely with the appropriate dicasteries of the Holy See to chart the best course forward for the Legion of Christ so it can be of better service to the Church and the Holy Father.

Fr. Richard Gill, LC
Our Lady of Mount Kisco Retreat Center
773 Armonk Road
Mt. Kisco, NY 10549
rgill@legionaries.org Posted with permission of the author.

Please keep all members of the Legionaries of Christ and Regnum Christi in your prayers.

May God bless this holy priest. He said what, so far, I have heard no Legionary say. Praise God for him, and for his vocation.

That apology was what many of us have been waiting for. Of course, it does not come to us from the Legion leadership, but from one good Legionary priest.

There will MANY good and holy priests in the Legion, and laity in the R.C. movement, that will speak out this way.

The question we must ask, if we are honest, now is “who knew what when.” The rank and file members of the Legion did not know Maciel. In some ways they were his victims. YET, those in the leadership must have known. It is impossible for this level of misbehavior to be done without help.

Who knew and cooperated? Who knew and was scandalized but said nothing out of some misplaced fear of disobedience or the sin of “detraction.” (TRUE detraction is sinful, but speaking out against grevious sins out of a desire to defend victims, or potential victims, is hardly detraction).

The classic question: “who knew what when” must be answered.

This priest deserves our praise for saying what he said.

God bless him.

 

[yinekka]

The interview with Pete Vere, canon lawyer, is too large to post here and I don’t want to edit any of his replies.

For the full article go to link below.

catholicnewsagency.com/new.php?n=15009

Canon lawer - Pete Vere - expert says Legionaries need transparency

CNA STAFF, Feb 6, 2009 / 07:35 am (CNA).- Pete Vere, a canon lawyer who specializes in movements, argues that a reform of the order, not dissolution is the answer…

 

[otjm]

Just an FYI Father Jonathan Morris and Father John Williams both went into depth and apologized sincerely from the heart last night.
The Legion has apologized! I know for some of you it will never be enough. But it is over and we ask that you pray for all of us so that we can heal and follow the guidance of Rome.

The bishops also apologized after the sex abuse scandal, but they didn’t stop there. You may have a tremendous amount invested in the Legion, but that does not mean that you are not engaging in wishful thinking. It is not a matter of whether or not it is enough to me; I don’t have a dog in the fight. I do not wish them to dissolve; I wish no evil intent on them. But unless and until this is throroughly vetted - and I will go back to my analogy of the fox and the hen house; vetting thoroughly means an outside investigator - there is all too much likelyhood that something - possibly a whole lot of something - is going to get swept under the rug. That does not make it go away; it just sits under the rug and festers. If sweminarians were abused, that needss to be completely cleaned up. Saying “I am so humbly and profopundly sorry” isn’t cleaning it up.Who else knew, and who else may have covered up, has to get out, get cleaned up, and ignoring it or syaing “that was all long ago” does nothing resovle issues. It is just one more cover up. The priests who are still in the Legion, those who have left, and the seminarians who were never ordained, as well as anyone else who has been scandalized by this in the past need resolution, not some pollyanna “OK, we said we were sorry, now lets move on” attempt to ignore how deeply this may run.

It is over? More likely, it has just begun.

 

[Chatter163]

Also, please, understand. When the founder is this disordered, everything associated with the founder should be chucked. The charism he left can’t help but be colored by who he was.

Consider the fact that Legion priests are formed largely by the writings of the founder. This is terrible stuff. It isn’t all okay, and it isn’t fixed by just saying that we will keep the good and let God sort it out.

So how long have you had this habit of making sweeping unilateral pronouncements?

 

[cathguy]

So how long have you had this habit of making sweeping unilateral pronouncements?

It is a “sweeping judgement” to point out that orders receive their charism from their founders, and a fundamentally disordered founder who engages in homosexuality, extra-vocational affairs, and theft WILL leave an imprint on the order he founds?

Two questions:

1. Do you know about how an order receives its charism?
2. Are you an informed Catholic?

Furthermore, I would read what great canon lawyers and theologians are saying about what needs to happen now. My comments are hardly unilateral. Pete Vere to my mind is advising the absolute minimum. Thankfully, there are more astute observers around.

 

[Chatter163]

It is a “sweeping judgement” to point out that orders receive their charism from their founders, and a fundamentally disordered founder who engages in homosexuality, extra-vocational affairs, and theft WILL leave an imprint on the order he founds?

Two questions:

1. Do you know about how an order receives its charism?
2. Are you an informed Catholic?

1. In glorious detail, thank you.
2. Extremely, and I am quite familiar with this matter.

Now, Professor, I do consider them sweeping, unilateral statements when you come on here and categorically state, without any humility whatsoever, without qualifying your statements with the words “I believe…” or “It is my opinion that…”, etc., and instead state definitively what MUST be done, without exception, period. Fortunately this tragic matter is not for you or even Pete Vere, to adjudicate. It is one thing to offer your opinion, another to pompously declare what the Holy See MUST do, to fit your version of truth.

 

[cathguy]

1. In glorious detail, thank you.
2. Extremely, and I am quite familiar with this matter.

Now, Professor, I do consider them sweeping, unilateral statements when you come on here and categorically state, without any humility whatsoever, without qualifying your statements with the words “I believe…” or “It is my opinion that…”, etc., and instead state definitively what MUST be done, without exception, period. Fortunately this tragic matter is not for you or even Pete Vere, to adjudicate. It is one thing to offer your opinion, another to pompously declare what the Holy See MUST do, to fit your version of truth.

Too many victims brother have had too few defenders for far too long.

Eight seminarians, seeking no financial recompense, reported that they were sexual assaulted by Maciel.

Many many lay people report giving money for one reason, only to find it redistributed.

Some families report cult-like behavior.

Drug abuse.

Children fathered out of wed-lock.

etc. etc. etc.

One does not need to be a professor, or even a teacher, to speak out against what is objectively WRONG.

People who get involved in lay movements, or attach themselves to a given order, need to be DISCERNING.

I have been given similar lectures for condemning Bishop Williamson of the SSPX by those loyal to the SSPX. I have been called a “detractor” and a person engaged in “calumny” because I spoke out against anti-semitism and holocaust denial.

Now I am being called arrogant, and probably a host of other things, because I speak out against Maciel.

This is PREPOSTEROUS. When are we going to get to a point where we stop ABUSING the Catholic concept of obedience and actually start PRACTICING IT.

I strongly recommend you read St. Peter Damian’s “Book of Gomorrah” for a blue print on how loyal and faithful Catholics should react to scandals like these.

The time to “put up and shut up” is OVER. Justice for victims, justice for the faithful, and, ultimately, the good of the Church, demand we stand up.

The questions created by this scandal are obvious.

Fr. Maciel did things he could never have gotten away with without anyone knowing.

WHO KNEW WHAT WHEN. This question must be answered… OUT IN THE OPEN. If the Holy See refuses to do this, then the Holy See is in error.

You think that arrogant? Look. The Holy Ghost only protects the Pope in his teaching on faith and morals. On everything else he is as fallible as you or I. And if WE abdicate OUR responsibility to act on our faith and stand for justice, then we are guilty as well.

 

[Shin]

I would like to see them reformed, renamed, and refounded.

Frankly, otherwise they will never escape the evil of Fr. Maciel, though they wish to retain only the ‘good’.
It will follow them with its scandalous taint wherever they go.

IMHO.

The amount of wishful thinking and glossing over that goes on in regards to this is one of the rotten fruits of that founder.

 

[abbegirl]

As I was praying about a response to this scandal a picture came to my mind of 911, the disaster of the twin towers. I think the smoke is still settling on this situation and we still need to process this. I use to be in Regnum Christi, I left for personal reasons, but when I heard that the founder had been told to live a life of penance I knew I would never want to return to it. I look to the Church to correct this. In the mean time I will be praying the Rosary for all the innocent.

 

[Marysann]

Marty, to answer your original question, I attended Mass for three year at an institute run by the Legionaries of Christ, and I got to know several of them. They offered very reverent Masses, but none of them was interested in the EF, although the superior said that he would not object if a visiting priest wanted to offer the EF. They were not very interesting in liturgical music either. They are wonderful priests, and I am praying for them.

 

[Rick_C]

Thank you Father and I believe that Father Alvaro can do the same. He himself started the investigation. So we will pray for mercy on the Legion they are a good order.

---

The problem here is that Father Maciel was not under anyone’s real authority. For practical purposes, he answered to nobody. Same for the current leader. An investigation of the LCs by the LCs is a joke. The light needs to be shined on this outfit, especially those at the top. I have a feeling that the current revelations are just the tip of the iceberg. Much renting of garments is coming.

 

[Rick_C]

Just an FYI Father Jonathan Morris and Father John Williams both went into depth and apologized sincerely from the heart last night.
The Legion has apologized! I know for some of you it will never be enough. But it is over and we ask that you pray for all of us so that we can heal and follow the guidance of Rome.

I watched this. They are both in denial. Saying “I’m sorry” is just so lame. Let’s wait until the other shoe drops. Then maybe someone in the LCs will begin to ask forgiveness of thos who have been scandalized, vilified, and attacked. Millstones are the reward for this scandal and its devastating effect on the catholic Church.

 

[yinekka]

I also watched the interview with Frs Morris and Williams. I saw two young men who were trying to come to terms with the revelations and who made very sincere and humble apologies to the victims. What else could we expect these two young men to do? We criticise when they don’t say sorry and then when they do it is ‘lame.’ I

 

[yinekka]

From Fr Thomas Berg

Dear everyone —

Christ’s peace.

I write to you this Sunday morning with my heart in my hand…

But my heart aches because our best efforts have not been enough. I want to reach out to you as a brother and friend this morning and try to assure you, if nothing else, that we are here. I know further efforts are underway to attempt to respond more adequately and formally to the confusion you all feel, not to mention the hurt and betrayal. I beg you, in the midst of such pain and hurt, please bear with your directors.

At the same time, however, 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…

I am not making any excuses, however, for the fumbled media responses (which I believe have been too often unfairly attributed to Jim Fair our communications director… ), for the appearances of being less than forthcoming, for the lack of information, for the confusion of messaging. For that, there is no excuse in a way, and tragically is largely due to the ineptness of many of those in leadership positions to respond with expertise and diligence in a crisis management situation like this.

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 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…

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

And remember: “Entrust your life to the Lord, and He will act.”

Let’s pray for each other. With all my love, gratitude to all of you for your fidelity.

In Jesus,

Fr. Thomas Berg, LC

P.S. Please spread my message far and wide to as many RC members as you can.

 

[Rick_C]

Same old same old. He asks forgiveness - FOR WHAT? a poor response to the crisis by the leadership. Oh my, he doesn’t get it. I read lots of platitudes here, trying to keep the organization intact. What should be happening here is that every LC who defended Fr. Maciel should be in sackcloth and ashes and asking for forgiveness for those they offended, not for poor crisis management. I guess the LC manual must not say anything about repentence and forgiveness. Just say you are sorry and lets more on. Still lame.

 

[otjm]

Same old same old. He asks forgiveness - FOR WHAT? a poor response to the crisis by the leadership. Oh my, he doesn’t get it. I read lots of platitudes here, trying to keep the organization intact. What should be happening here is that every LC who defended Fr. Maciel should be in sackcloth and ashes and asking for forgiveness for those they offended, not for poor crisis management. I guess the LC manual must not say anything about repentence and forgiveness. Just say you are sorry and lets more on. Still lame.

I disagree with you; I think he gets it. Read it again; he wants an outside team to investigate, and he excoriates the leadeship for the short and totally inadequate response.

 

[abbegirl]

Yinekka Thank you for posting the letter from Fr. Thomas Berg LC. It was comforting and also very heart wrenching to read it. These innocent Priests are victims also. My heart and prayers go out to them. I have met some Legionary Priests, Many were very young Priests on fire for God. I can’t imagine their pain. I can’t imagine their parents pain. My prayers continue to go out to all the innocent victims.

 

[Rick_C]

Yinekka Thank you for posting the letter from Fr. Thomas Berg LC. It was comforting and also very heart wrenching to read it. These innocent Priests are victims also. My heart and prayers go out to them. I have met some Legionary Priests, Many were very young Priests on fire for God. I can’t imagine their pain. I can’t imagine their parents pain. My prayers continue to go out to all the innocent victims.

Innocent victims? By that do you mean all those abused by Fr. Maciel? Or do you mean all those vilified who tried to bring this scandal to the light? Or do you mean all those who scoff at the Catholic Church because of this folly? Or do you mean all those whose faith is weaker because of these sins? Or do you mean the Holy Father, from whom Maciel withheld this dirt. This feeling sorry for the LCs is pathetic. Open your eyes.

 

[abbegirl]

Innocent victims? By that do you mean all those abused by Fr. Maciel? Or do you mean all those vilified who tried to bring this scandal to the light? Or do you mean all those who scoff at the Catholic Church because of this folly? Or do you mean all those whose faith is weaker because of these sins? Or do you mean the Holy Father, from whom Maciel withheld this dirt. This feeling sorry for the LCs is pathetic. Open your eyes.

Wow, you sound very bitter. By innocent victims, I mean those who went into LC or RC believing they were serving Christ’s Church, which in their hearts and minds they were. All those affected inside or outside the LC are hurting, and I am praying for them. It’s not about feeling sorry for them, but about seeing the pain and suffering this scandal is causing and wanting to see a “greater good come out of it”. As the Church gets battered and beaten it’s about getting back up and continuing to fight the good fight. Feeling sorry for them is standing on the sidelines watching. By the way, my eyes are open. I think you should open your heart.

 

[Rick_C]

Wow, you sound very bitter. … As the Church gets battered and beaten it’s about getting back up and continuing to fight the good fight. … I think you should open your heart.

Why do you need to respond with a personal attack? Sounds like the LC modus operandi for those who disagree with you. And, BTW, who is battering and beating the Church? Answer - Those who scandalize it and who are accomplices in the scandal.