New Vatican delegate expected to continue reform of Legionaries

June 24, 2014

The Vatican will appoint a new delegate next week to oversee continued reform of the Legion of Christ, the Associated Press reports.

Father Eduardo Robles Gil, who was elected in January as the new director-general of the troubled religious order, has informed members that the identity of the new Vatican delegate, as well as the scope of his authority, would be revealed in a meeting with the Congregation for Religious on July 3. He said that the Legion would remain “autonomous,” but would have “special assistance” from the Vatican, and that the presence of a papal delegate would offer “certain guarantees for those who don’t trust us.”

In 2009, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Cardinal Velasio de Paolis as his delegate to supervise a thorough reform of the Legion of Christ, after the group’s founder, Father Marcial Maciel, died in disgrace. Cardinal de Paolis concluded his work in January, organizing a chapter general at which the order elected Father Robles Gil as its new leader, and approved a document that said the Legion had “a solid charismatic foundation, endorsed by the Church.”

However, critics of the Legion have continued to express skepticism about the reform. The Associated Press report notes that Pope Francis has avoided meeting with the Legionaries, and did not send a congratulatory message to Father Robles Gil after his election.

The Vatican has not yet approved a revised constitution for the Legion, which was also approved at their January chapter general. A report on the progress toward Vatican approval is expected in July, along with the appointment of a new Vatican delegate for the order.

 

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Further information:

• Vatican to Name New Adviser to Oversee Legion (AP)
• Pontifical delegate praises Legionaries of Christ as general chapter concludes (CWN, 2/26)