“Protect and heal.”

Religious order Legionaries of Christ announced more decisive action against sexual abuse in its own ranks. The General Chapter published a policy document on this entitled "Protect and Heal".

In addition, the assembly of religious leaders and delegates in Rome, which has been meeting since January, adopted a statement entitled "Conversion and Reparation".

According to the statement, the Legionaries of Christ, with its new superior general, John Connor, pledges to "vigorously pursue" the investigation of all abuse cases that have been documented since 1941. Anyone guilty of cover-up or gross negligence in dealing with these cases could no longer hold office in the congregation.

For each individual act, he said, the relevant church and state authorities must be informed "in order to reach those affected and restore justice".

"Communicative and transparent approach"

The community also promises "a communicative and transparent approach" to its outreach efforts. For example, the names of those convicted of sexual abuse would now also be shared. It will be worked for the exclusion of the perpetrators from the priesthood, said Superior General Connor.

Connor stressed that the order, after a process of renewal in recent years, wants to take responsibility for the consequences resulting from its own history. The declaration "Repentance and Reparation" is addressed first and foremost to the victims and their families, with an explicit request for forgiveness. But the process of reconciliation will take many years, the religious leader said.

Already at the end of 2019, the Legionaries had published a report according to which 33 priests of the community had sexually abused at least 175 minors since 1941. A former priest of the community, Christian Borgogno, criticized the claims as an attempt to focus blame on a few and whitewash the rest of the order, according to media reports.

Community has distanced itself from founder

According to the Legionaries, they currently number about 1.540 members in 21 countries. The most recent general chapter was held in 2014; it was preceded by a serious crisis in the order and a renewal process that lasted several years.

After the moral misconduct of the order's founder, Marcial Maciel Degollado (1920-2008), became known, and in view of deficiencies in the internal governance structures, Pope Benedict XVI had. In 2010, he ordered sweeping reforms. The community has since distanced itself from its founder.

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Christina Cherry
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