A peek into the thinking of Archbishop O’Brien’s dealings with the Legionaries:
One of a number of such apostolic movements in our Archdiocese has been Regnum Christi (the Reign or Kingdom of Christ), the lay branch of the Legion of Christ, founded in Mexico by the recently deceased Father Marcial Maciel. The movement is worldwide and has operated with the blessing of the Holy See. Its activities have not been without certain tension, however, at least in parts of the United States, including our Archdiocese.
During the five years prior to my arrival as Archbishop, Cardinal Keeler had shared correspondence and meetings with the leadership of the Legionaries of Christ on a number of occasions reflecting many of our pastors’ valid concerns: for instance, regarding a lack of pastoral transparency at times and a tendency to conduct parallel programs within our parishes without the knowledge of local pastors. In some cases undue pressure was placed on individuals to conform to the rule of Regnum Christi and in a context of secrecy. In addition, some youth programs tended to alienate parents from their children, and various clubs and activities for high-schoolers often presented the vocation to priesthood and consecrated life as an obligation rather than an informed choice. In short, a lack of necessary transparency.
The call to priesthood or consecrated life requires a discernment process that rightly should involve parents and other family members. This deeply personal, life-changing decision requires the love and support that can only come from family and close friends, and their caring involvement is crucial for anyone who feels he or she has been called by God to serve as a priest or a consecrated man or woman.
I have met a good number of Regnum Christi members who lead exemplary Catholic lives and see this movement as a God-send. But I also am well aware of the challenges that have led a number to leave the movement, some angrily insisting that Church authority must act to correct the excesses they claim have endured. Hence, the dialogue these last five and more years.
At a meeting last week between the Superior General of the Legion and our staff, it was agreed that he would appoint a liaison to oversee the activities of Regnum Christi and keep our Chancery and appropriate pastors fully informed. This includes programs and methods of vocation recruitment. (The text of the full letter agreed to can be found on our own website, www.archbalt.org.)
For some time I have wondered whether the flaws of the Legionary movement were endemic to the movement itself. By this final step, I hope to have been proved wrong.
The emphasis on that last line is mine. This is a question which everyone who encounters the dark side of this group begins to wonder. They see the good being done, the quality of people who are in love with “the movement” and they ask “How can this great perversion of Catholicism coexist with the goodness of these people and their work?”
The answer that I and many others have come to is that yes, the flaws are endemic to the movement itself. The fact that everything they do is so rooted in the person of the founder, who fell under disgrace and increasing allegations of sexual misconduct prior to his recent death, makes suspect all of his philosophies of governance and procedure.
In other words, rotten apples don’t fall far from the tree. If the Archbishop is proved wrong in this case, it will be, I’m afraid, because the pressure is on for the LC and RC members in Baltimore to be on their best behavior. They’ll be walking on eggshells, and I don’t know how their methodology for growing “the movement” can thrive under scrutiny. Time, I suppose, will tell.
