Documents show Legion leaders aware of Maciel’s double life

February 18, 2013

Internal documents of the Legion of Christ, made public on orders from a Rhode Island court, show that leaders of the religious order were aware in 2006 that the group’s founder, Father Marcial Maciel, had led a double life.

Father Luis Garza, who at the time was the 2nd-ranking member of the Legion, testified that he knew in 2006 that Maciel had fathered a child. Father Garza said that he did not confront Maciel because he saw no point in doing so, but he did report to the Father Alvaro Corcuera, who had succeeded Maciel as head of the Legion of Christ, and to two other Legionary priests.

Although the Vatican ordered Father Maciel into retirement, saying that he should end his life in solitude and penance, the Legionary leadership did not admit until 2009 that the order’s founder had been engaged in scandalous behavior. Father Corcuera resigned his post as the Legion’s superior just last year.

 

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Further information:

• RI Records Spotlight Double Life of Legion Founder (AP)
• Legionaries' superior steps down (CWN, 10/11/12)