Pope Francis encourages renewal of Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ
(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis has confirmed the mandate of Papal Delegate Cardinal
Velasio De Paolis for the Legionaries of Christ until 2014 and commended him for
his work in fostering renewal within the Congregation following the 2010 visitation
.
Below a translation of the letter from Pope Francis to Cardinal Velasio
De Paolis:
To my Venerable Brother Cardinal Velasio De Paolis
In
an audience on May 27th, you explained the progress of the ministry of Delegate for
the Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ which my beloved predecessor, Benedict
XVI, entrusted to you on June 16, 2010.
I would like to thank you for having
brought me up to speed on what you have done in fulfilling this delicate task. As
well, I would like to assure you that I have carefully considered what you presented
to me in the report you sent with your letter on May 10th, as well as the content
of the prior reports and the material regarding the Apostolic Visitation which took
place in 2009 and 2010.
I confirm that your mandate will last until the celebration
of the extraordinary Chapter of the Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ, which
you will preside, and which will be held at the beginning of the beginning of 2014.
The Chapter’s main tasks will be the election of a new Government for the Institute
and the approval of the new Constitutions, which you will then take care to send me
in order to examine them according to standard procedure. These will be fundamental
steps in the path towards the authentic and profound renewal of the Congregation of
the Legionaries of Christ and, indirectly, as well for the activity of the whole Regnum
Christi Movement.
Please keep me up to date on the process of preparation
for the Chapter. I am invoking the aid of the Holy Spirit so that He will inspire
in all the religious a greater dedication to the task of discernment regarding their
vocation within the Church and the world. I extend warm thanks for this task
to which you have so generously committed yourself. Please extend a word of encouragement
on my behalf to all the Legionaries of Christ, to the Consecrated Men and Women of
the Regnum Christi Movement and the lay people committed in it. I assure them all
a place in my prayers and I send a special Apostolic Blessing to all, entrusting them
to the care of Mary, Mother of the Church. From the Vatican, June 19, 2013.