Fr. Peter Bryne, LC, Decries "the Same old Legion of Christ"

Legion superiors refuse one of their own Priests permission to visit Mexico for his doctoral thesis;

He has become "persona non grata" for speaking out selectively.

Google translation reviewed by blogger

Dear Superiors, Fathers, and Mexico Brothers in Christ

.

      Some time ago I asked permission to go to Mexico to instruct parents on the formation of children, greet friends and collect data for my doctorate. A few days ago I received the denial of that permission. When asking for reasons, the regional director explained that the territorial directorate of Mexico with its council does not want me to visit Mexican communities as a result of the letter on the sale of the UNID education centers which I sent [to some members] and that the superiors have a higher duty to protect communities from the discomfort I could cause.

      This exclusion from the Legionary community cut to the bone. Over recent years I have asked publicly and privately for

1. Justice and reconciliation with victims of Fr. Maciel.

2. The Gospel to be lived according to the criteria and the true service of souls.

3. Transparency in government and finances of the congregation.

4. Co-responsibility.

5. The research and drafting of the authentic history and the Legion  and Maciel.

6. The identification and exclusion of perfidious Macielist elements found in our Legionary culture (class discrimination, lying, cheating, using people as a means to an end, the numerical results mentality, racism, childishness, lack of critical debate ...)

Which of these elements can cause them concern? Which of these elements justifies me being excluded from their communities?

Is this the new Legion? Is new legion that which excludes those who think differently, a legion that has no room for the awkward brother, the brother who was 34 years at their side? Is not this the same old Legion which ignored the victims of P. Maciel, who will not listen when we are accused of being a cult? Is not it the same old Legion which just wants to read its own materials, congratulate itself on its successes and achievements wallowing in ignoring the damage it has done to the Church and the urgent need for radical change?

Personally I was worried after the fact many of Maciel's accomplices keep visiting communities, preaching exercises and retreats,  are appointed superiors and spiritual directors, but at no time did I believe they did not have the right to be in a legionary house or eat at the table or sleep in a room. For all intents and purposes they are brothers .. or I was a brother.

FYI,  brothers, I  never sent a note to the press. The letter on the sale of the EDID was sent some superiors, advisers and to a few Legionary priests. I've never given an interview. From the beginning I signed all the letters with my name and never hit low. 

Brothers, it was the silence of the good which allowed the Fr. Maciel to do so much damage to our brothers. I will not be a silent accomplice.

In Christ, P. Peter F. Byrne L.C

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Estimado en Cristo Superiores , Padres y Hermanos  en México.

      Hace tiempo pedí permiso para ir a México para dar unas conferencias a papas de familia sobre la formación de los hijos, saludar amigos y recabar datos para el doctorado.  Unos  días ha me llegó la denegación de aquel permiso. Al pedir razones, el director territorial me explicó  que la dirección territorial de México con su consejo no quiere que vaya a las comunidades mexicanas pues a raíz de la carta sobre la venta de la UNID tienen los superiores el deber de proteger a las comunidades de la inquietud que yo pudiese causar.

      Me ha dolido en el alma esta exclusión de la comunidad Legionaria. A lo largo de estos últimos años he pedido  públicamente y en privado:

1.       Justicia para y reconciliación con las víctimas del P.Maciel.

2.       La conformidad con los criterios evangélicos y el verdadero servicio de las almas.

3.       La transparencia en el gobierno y las  finanzas de la congregación.

4.       La corresponsabilidad.

5.       La investigación y redacción de la autentica historia del P.Maciel y de la Legión.

6.       La identificación y exclusión de los elementos pérfidos del macielismo que se encuentran en nuestra cultura legionaria (la aceptación de personas, la mentira, el engaño, el utilizar a las personas como medios a un fin,  la mentalidad de resultados numéricos, el racismo, el infantilismo, la falta de debate y espíritu crítico…)

¿Cuál de estos elementos les puede causar inquietud? ¿Cuál de estos elementos justifica que yo sea excluido de sus comunidades?

¿ Es esta la nueva Legión? ¿Es nueva una  legión que excluye a los que pensamos diferente, una legión que no tiene espacio para el hermano incomodo, el hermano que estuvo 34 años  a su lado? ¿Acaso no es esta la misma vieja Legión que no oyó a las víctimas del P,Maciel, que no quiso escuchar cuando se nos acusaba de ser una secta? ¿Acaso no es la misma vieja Legión que solo quiere leer la RED, felicitarse por sus éxitos y revolcarse en sus logros ignorando el daño que ha hecho a la Iglesia y la urgente necesidad de un cambio radical?

Personalmente me ha inquietado mucho que los encubridores del P.Maciel sigan visitando comunidades, predicando ejercicios y retiros, que sean nombrados superiores y directores espirituales;  pero en ningún momento he considerado que no tengan el derecho de estar en una casa legionaria, comer a la mesa o dormir en un cuarto. Pues al fin son hermanos.. o fuimos hermanos. 

Para su información hermanos nunca he mandado una nota a la prensa. La carta sobre la venta de la UNID  la mandé a algunos superiores, consejeros y pocos sacerdotes legionarios. Nunca he dado una entrevista.  Desde el inicio firmé todas las cartas con mi nombre y nunca escribí bajo . Hermanos, fue el silencio de los buenos lo que permitió que el P.Maciel hiciera tanto daño a hermanos nuestros. No seré cómplice silencioso.

En Cristo, P. Peter F. Byrne L.C

“All it takes for evil to advance is for good men to do nothing”- Burke
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Another translation, from Facebook, Legion and Regnum

Superiors, Fathers and Brothers,

Some months ago I asked for permission to go to Mexico to give conferences to parents about the formation of children, say hello to friends and pick up some information for the doctorate. Last Wednesday (19th of Abril) I was told that the permission had been denied by the superiors in Mexico because of the letter I had sent about the sale of the UNID universities and that my presence would perturb the communities. The exclusion from the legionary community has been deeply distressing. 

Over the last three years I have asked publically and privately for six things:

1. Justice for and reconciliation with the victims of Fr. Maciel.

2. Conformity with the Gospel and true service of souls.

3. Transparency in the government and finances of the congregation.

4. Co-responsibility and accountability

5. The investigation and publication of the true story of Fr. Maciel and the Legion

6. The exclusion of the perverse elements that maciel and his clique had introduced into the Legionary culture (racism, lies, deceit, using people as means to an end, the exclusion of debate and critical thinking, prohibition of free speech etc..)

Which of these could perturb you? Which of these could justify that I be excluded from your communities?
Is this the new Legion? Is this the reformed Legion? Is it a new Legion that excludes those of us who think differently? Is it a new Legion one that doesn't have place for the awkward brother, for the brother that was 34 years at your side?
No, this is the same old Legion that did not listen to the Fr. Marciel’s victims. This is the same old Legion that did not want to listen when it was being accused of becoming a cult and quashed any signs of independent thought. This is the same old Legion that only reads its internal propaganda and lolls in its own fake numbers and victories while ignoring the terrible damage it has done to the Church and the urgent need for radical reform.

It has been a source of hurting when those who covered up for Fr. Maciel continue to visit communities and preach retreats; when they are named superiors and spiritual directors: however I have never thought that they should be excluded from a legionary house. They have the same right to be in a legionary house, sit at table, pray and sleep in a community. That is what has been denied to me because I think differently and speak openly. I thought we were a band of brothers … but obviously I was wrong.

For your information: I have never sent a letter to the press. The letter about the sale of the UNID was sent to legionary superiors and a few legionary priests. I have never given an interview. I have always signed the letters in my own name and never used a pseudonym.

Legionaries, it was cowardly silence that permitted that Fr. Maciel could do so much damage to our legionary brothers and wound the church so deeply. I will not be a silent accomplice again.

In Christ,

P.Peter F. Byrne L.C