Pope confirms cardinal-delegate's task in reform of Legionaries

June 27, 2013

Pope Francis has confirmed the role of Cardinal Velasio De Paolis as a special papal delegate to oversee reforms in the Legion of Christ.

In a letter to Cardinal De Paolis, made public by the Vatican on June 27, the Pope said that the Italian prelate’s role would continue until an extraordinary chapter of the Legionaries, to be held in 2014, at which the religious order will elect new leaders and approve a new constitution. The results of that meeting, the Pope wrote, should 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.”

Cardinal De Paolis was appointed in 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI to supervise reforms among the Legionaries, after the religious order was convulsed by revelations that its founder, the late Father Marcial Maciel, had led a double life that involved drug use, molesting young men, and affairs with women that produced children. Confirming the cardinal in his duties, Pope Francis thanked him for providing a full briefing on the current status of the Legionaries. “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,” the Pope wrote. He said that he would be praying for a successful outcome of the chapter meeting, hoping that it would help members discern their future.

 

---

For all current news, visit our News home page.

---

 
Further information:

• Pope Francis encourages renewal of Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ (Vatican Radio)
• Pope signals Legion of Christ reform to stretch past 2014, urges priests to discern vocation (AP)