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March 12, 2020

Glen Argan: Spirituality does not cause moral goodness

Vanier’s case is not unique. The most infamous split between faith and goodness was that of Marcial Maciel, founder of the Legion of Christ and Regnum Christi.

The revelation of the grievous sexual misconduct by L’Arche founder Jean Vanier should awaken us all to the central importance of a well-founded moral conscience in the pursuit of holiness.

Published in Glen Argan
January 21, 2020

Legionaries to investigate abuse uncovered by report

Father Marcial Maciel Degollado, founder of the Legionaries of Christ, is pictured in an undated handout image provided by the order in 2009.

VATICAN CITY -- The Legionaries of Christ vowed to cooperate with an investigation after a report stated that the congregation failed to address sexual abuse and cover-ups at one of its prestigious schools in Mexico.

Published in International
December 23, 2019

Legionaries report 'chain of abuse' as victims went on to abuse others

Father Marcial Maciel Degollado, founder of the Legionaries of Christ, is pictured in an undated handout image provided by the order in 2009. The Rome-based headquarters of the Legionaries released a report Dec. 21 that the late priest sexually abused at least 60 minors and that at least another 51 youngsters were abused by Father Maciel's victims or victims of his victims.

ROME -- Demonstrating a strong "chain of abuse," the Legionaries of Christ said its founder, the late Father Marcial Maciel Degollado, sexually abused at least 60 minors and that at least another 51 youngsters were abused by Father Maciel's victims or victims of his victims.

Published in International
April 12, 2019

Vatican imposes 10-year suspension on Legionaries priest for abuse

Father John O'Reilly, center, of the Legionaries of Christ arrives at a court in Santiago, Chile, Oct. 15. The court found Father O'Reilly, who moved to Chile from Ireland in 1985, guilty of sexually abusing a pre-teen girl at the private Colegio Cumbres in the affluent neighborhood of Las Condes between 2007 and 2009.

VATICAN CITY - The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has banned a Legionaries of Christ priest from publicly exercising his priestly ministry for 10 years after he was convicted in Chile of sexually abusing a young girl.

Published in Vatican
December 12, 2014

Jock picks God over game

Br. Nathan Wayne chose a path to the priesthood over college basketball dreams.

Br. Nathan Wayne had an atypical road to the religious life.

A self-described “total jock” during his high school years in Syracuse, N.Y., he was a star player on the Christian Brothers Academy basketball team, a school renowned for its athletics, and also enjoyed football and skiing.  The now 26-year-old member of the Legion of Christ credits a few committed recruiters with leading him to where he is today, serving youth across Ontario.

Published in Youth Speak News
June 24, 2014

Legionaries of Christ to receive Vatican-appointed advisor

Father Marcial Maciel Degollado, founder of the Legionaries of Christ, speaks at a conference in Madrid, Spain, in this photo dated Oct. 6, 2001.

VATICAN CITY - The Vatican will name a special "assistant" to advise the leadership of the troubled Legionaries of Christ, whose revised constitutions Pope Francis has still not approved four months after they were submitted to him.

Published in International
June 10, 2013

Lay members meet to contribute to Regnum Christi's transformation

Legionaries of Christ priests wait to enter the chapel at Regina Apostolorum University during a Mass with members of Regnum Christi in Rome June 7. Members of Regnum Christi, the lay movement associated with the Legionaries, met in Rome June 6-9 to disc uss the identity of the movement and draft new regulations for it.

ROME - Members of Regnum Christi, the lay movement associated with the Legionaries of Christ, said they don't feel they are on a salvage mission, but rather are part of a transformation.

Published in Vatican
May 22, 2012

Vowing change, Legion head admits he knew of US priest's transgressions

Legionary Father Alvaro Corcuera said he had known in 2005 that Legionary Father Thomas D. Williams (pictured) had fathered a child.

ROME - The head of the Legionaries of Christ admitted he knew about the sexual improprieties of a U.S. priest based in Rome and did too little to restrict his high-profile ministry.

But more important than his failure to limit the priest's ministry, he said, is the need to reassure members "that things are handled differently now."

Published in International
May 17, 2012

Legionaries of Christ priest admits fathering child

Legionaries of Christ Father Thomas Williams in pictured in an undated photo provided to Catholic News Service Jan. 22. Father Williams, a high-profile television commentator, issued a statement May 15 admitting that he had a sexual relationship with a woman and fathered a child "a number of years ago."

THORNWOOD, N.Y. - A popular, telegenic Legionaries of Christ priest who has appeared over the years as a Church analyst for CNN, CBS, ABC and Fox News has been removed from public ministry after admitting he had a relationship with a woman "a number of years ago" and fathered her child.

In a May 15 statement, Fr. Luis Garza, director of the order's North American territory, announced that Fr. Thomas D. Williams, "after consultation with his superiors, will undergo a period of reflection, prayer and atonement without public ministry."

Published in International