Losing money, family and all your earthly possessions pale in comparison to losing the most important thing you have. Namely, you own ability to make free and independent choices
[see article Why Don't People Leave, below]
After reading Apostolic Visitator's De Paolis Homily, official Legion statements, and hearing inside and outside reactions, a few ideas pop into my mind
1] De Paolis first step is to prevent a Wholesale Stampede by the rank and file.
2] De Paolis puts faith in reform of constitutions and General Chapter
- what about getting rid of the leadership cadre?- asks blogger
3] The still-believing are awaiting orders from the Apostolic Delegate, church leaders, their superiors.....
As they have been groomed into Co-DEPENDENT OBEDIENCE to their superiors since first entering the Legion, their automy and self-determination pruned by years of Legionary "training", they are now IMPOTENT to make any decisions on their own. "Been there, done that". Read article about Why Don't People Leave?
4] In the blogger's opinion a solution can only begin when the Legion is understood and treated like a "High-Demand Group" that uses persuasive methods of recruiting, retaining and expelling members
Patrick Madrid's blog has a video
I feel sorry for my former Legionary brothers. It was difficult enough trying to make decisions even after making the biggest one: to leave the Legion and God's "call from all Eternity"!!
ReplyDeleteThe very first thing DePaolis should do after relieving the crew hand-picked by the Master Manipulator, Maciel, is to close all Apostolic Schools. I can't imagine how really screwed up I would have become if I had joined at 12 or 14 years old. At least, having joined the Legion at 18 I had some experience of another world and way of living!
Dear Anonymous, well put
ReplyDeleteIn my memoir I try to describe my incapacity to choose to leave; i take my hat off to those who had a little more self possession and self determination left to be able to 'walk away'; "Blessed are those who are able to walk away from the Legion of Christ and Regnum Christi"
I mean "Blest -by a special Grace of God- are those..."
Getting out was the first decision we made in decades -depending on how long you were in- and it was a huge decision - it is too big for most of the members. How sad. I wish Church authorities could grasp this...They are still thinking in terms of normalcy...They just dont get it