Legionaries' Chapter opens in Rome

Jan 9, 2014: The Extraordinary General Chapter of the Legionaries of Christ begins its working sessions on Thursday, under the guidance of the Pontifical Delegate to the Legion, Cardinal Velasio De Paolis. The Chapter has been called with a view to helping the Legion reform and renew itself in the wake of revelations regarding the double-life led by the congregation's deceased founder, Fr. Marcial Maciel. Following a Vatican investigation into Fr Maciel’s life and conduct as founder and leader of the congregation, Pope Benedict XVI in 2006 stripped the priest of his leadership role and ordered him to a life of prayer and penitence.

Following an examination of conscience apt to allow for unclouded evaluation of the path the Legion has taken, especially in recent years, the six-week convocation of 61 priests from 11 different nations is to turn its attention to the needed constitutional reform and the election of new leadership.

Cardinal De Paolis celebrated Mass on Wednesday evening in Rome, to open the Chapter officially, during which he delivered a homily addressing the principal tasks of the six-week convocation of 61 priests from 11 different nations, specifically the needed constitutional reform and election of leadership. “The constitutions that you give yourselves,” said Cardinal De Paolis, “will therefore not be simply a code of laws that unites you only externally in discipline,” but, “an expression of a common vocation, a common ideal, a common mission, a common path to healing.” Cardinal De Paolis went on to call the election of new officers to govern the congregation, “a point which should always be given special attention, especially for you, who have a history of suffering in this regard,” adding, “it is important not to forget that.”

The Legionaries of Christ have as many as 950 priest-members, and an estimated one thousand seminarians at various levels of formation. With the help of their once 30 thousand-stron lay organization, Regnum Christi, the Legion operates schools and other works of social and charitable service in more than 20 countries around the world.