Juan Carlos Ortega asks forgiveness on his knees and with a poster around his neck
Fr. Juan Carlos Ortega has already resigned and Florencio Sánchez is thinking of it
The case that shows up two Spanish chapter members of the Legion of Christ
Posts, photos and letters that demonstrate childishness, penances and moralism
By José Manuel Vidal, 17 December 2013 at 19:45
Luis Garza will participate at the chapter that will decide the future of the Legion
Chapter cannot be a varnish, but an occasion to renew and purify themselves thoroughly and truthfully, as Pope Francis demands
(José M. Vidal)-
Scarcely three weeks from the General Chapter, the waters of the Legion again turn muddy. The names of two important Spanish* chapter members, (Legionary priests) Juan Carlos Ortega and Florencio Sánchez, are pilloried by a case that epitomizes childishness and ridiculous moralism. In a long exchange of emails and letters to those who have accessed Digital Religion, two legionaries are portrayed and reveal that the "marcialist system" remains anchored in the soul of the institution, with superior clung "as usual" and with clear signs of psychological insecurity.
*
[ Blogger correction: Florencio Sanchez is one of the first group of
Mexican Regnum Christi "consecrated" men; he was well known to Fr.
Maciel who sent him to Madrid where he has held important and delicate
posts, such as being on the commission to screen Fr.Maciel's sex victims
seeking compensation, etc.]
For the general chapter, which begins on January 8 in Rome, the Legion chose Chapter 61 members from all over the world. Among them, three from the territory Spain: Carlos Villalba, Florencio Sánchez and Juan Carlos Ortega. The elect were to be men of consolidated prestige and beyond reproach .
But in Spain, a few days after the election of the three representatives, there first arose information about an episode, between grotesque and surreal, that involved Fr. Ortega and, indirectly, Fr. Florencio. It is not anything related with sexual nor financial, but with the spirituality of the Legion and how to understand obedience, as recorded in the documents we have in our possession.
Fr. Ortega himself describes the case in a letter to the Chapter Fathers, dated 26 November, 2013:
"During my stay in Rome I was spiritual director of a student in our University. We were working on a situation in her family life. When I came back to Spain we kept in touch occasionally. She told me that, as a result of a particular circumstance of her life, she had felt humanly rejected by some students of the (Legion) Atheneum and also by a particular Legionary priest. This opened new wounds and I felt a need to join her in her pain. You will understand that I cannot say more about this person so as not to reveal her identity".
Back in Spain, Fr. Ortega continued in contact with its directee, and at time wroter her emails after the evening prayer ("something that we should not do", acknowledges the priest himself). His superior realized this (from which it follows that all Legionaries' incoming and outgoing personal mail is monitored), he called him to order and imposed a series of penances.
The first "for fifteen days not to write". But Ortega disobeyed and, according to his own account, "the superior was upset and forbade me to make any use of the Internet and the mail for another fifteen days. He annoyed me and I lacked respect and charity toward the superior. I did not do the penance as he asked me, but instead wrote some messages that I judged urgent".
After a few days, Ortega felt remorse, went to see the superior, Fr. Florencio, acknowledged his fault and apologized.
"The Superior behaved with great charity and patience. Not at all angry, but he told me to write asking forgiveness by means of a photograph on my knees and with outstretched arms and with a sign indicating the cause of my punishment. I refused. I was ashamed and I dared not do so. So the Padre punished me further forbidding me to write you until I had sent you those photographs (of penance). In reality I did not do this either because I sent (you) the Christmas greeting", Ortega writes to the young lady.
But he continuesd disobeying his superior, with the usual later regrets:
"The truth is that I feel very bad. I know that I have behaved badly with God, with myself, with the superior and also with you. These punishments I deserve and I want to do them. I am ashamed that at my age I gave in to my pride and passion. I apologize for the bad example that can give you because of all this. The truth is that despite how young you are, you have given me example and demonstrated you are more mature than me. Anne Marie, I ask you to forgive me and that you pray much for me so that I be faithful to God".
And after a long list of requests for forgiveness (for being "disobedient, angry, critical, proud and a liar") Fr. Carlos sends a message to Anne Marie, according to Fr. Florencio's order, recommending to the girl that "you humiliate me more" and imposing as punishment three things:
(1)"Send you a photograph of me imitating the humiliated Christ on the cross; (2)to send you a general confession of my faults against the sixth commandment, from when I was teen until now that I am a priest; and (3) for three months submit to you as if you were my spiritual superior, telling you all my personal and spiritual life, and asking you for permission, penances and advice".
And it sends the picture that also work in our power. We don't know if Anne Marie used the prerogatives that fathers Ortega and Florencio awarded, to receive the general confession in sexual matters of the latter or act with him as its spiritual "superior".
Full text of the letter from the Fr. Ortega father to Anne Marie:
[blogger review of rough translation to here]
Your Kingdom come!
Dear in Christ:
God knows what it costs me to write this message and send it to you. But I can not anymore. Yesterday, during the retreat from new year's Eve, the example of utmost humility of Jesus bowed my pride and pride and, although with great shame, I decided to acknowledge my mistakes, apologize and fulfil the penance that my superior has asked me for a long time even if they seem me disproportionate and humiliating. I do them because I want to have everything what Dios me ask, whatever it is and whatever it takes. Me apena much have delayed both to abide by it.
I want to tell you that my delay in answering your posts is because I am punished without being able to write you, but history is long and the truth I have behaved badly. It all started at the end of October, when I replied to a message of yours after the evening prayers, something we must do as after these prayers, we must go to sleep or stay in prayer, but not work. We see that the upper realized and asked me the next day. I badly, lied you and denied the fact. After one or two days I asked again. There I already tell is that he knew and recognized it. As penance, he told me that for fifteen days you do not write. But I desobedecà and returned to write a brief message in those days. The upper was upset and forbade me to make any use of the Internet and the mail for another fifteen days. Here bother me and I missed the respect and charity to the superior. I was not penance as he asked me, but that I wrote some messages that I judged urgent. After a few days I went with the superior, I recognized my faults and asked forgiveness to the superior and asked him to help me to be humble. The upper behaved with great charity and patience. All you angry, but he told me that you wrote asking forgiveness through a photograph my knees and with cross arms and with a sign indicating the cause of my punishment. I found not. I was ashamed and I dared not do so. So the father I punished forbidding me to write you until send you those photographs. Actually nor I have complied with this because I've sent the Christmas greeting.
The truth is that I feel very bad. I know that I have behaved badly with God, with myself, with the upper and also with you. These punishments I deserve and I want to meet them. I am ashamed that my age is so generous and you left me to go by my pride and passion. I apologize for the bad example that can give you because of all this. The truth to you, with the young you are, you have given me example to be more mature than me.
Anne Marie, I ask you to forgive me and that you ask for much for me so it is very true God. To repair my faults I send photographs that I stated the above.
. I apologize for not have fulfilled my duty to lie down when God asks of me,
. I apologize for not being sincere and hide my acting superior
. I apologize because I am a liar and I have lied to my superior
. I apologize because I am disobedient and I have not done what I was asked my superior
. I apologize because I have been superb, and I have not acknowledged my errors
. I apologize for lack of charity to my superior
. I apologize because I have been proud and I have not accepted the corrections and my top tips
. I ask your forgiveness for having failed to respect my superior
. I apologize for being vain and not have you apologized above
. I apologize for being poorly spoken to insult the superior
. I apologize for being angry and have me mad at the upper
. I apologize for my lack of faith and trust in God to not follow what I have been asked by the superior
Finally, by having both delayed the fulfillment of this penance to feel shame with you, superior has indicated himself to me ask you if you want it to humiliate me more before you, performing one or more of these things, or anything else you want me:
-send you a photo mine imitating humiliated Christ on the cross
-send you a general confession of my fouls against the sixth commandment from when I was teenager so far I am priest
-three months submit to you as if you were my spiritual superior, telling you all my personal and spiritual life, and asking you for permission, penances and tips
God knows what it will cost me to meet any of these three humiliation, but I am willing to do so. I am aware that this is also difficult for you, but so will help me to be meek and humble and repair the faults that I have committed to God. Therefore I ask you, please, to tell me if you want to do something.
I again apologize again for all this. Don't feel obligated. If I don't want to ask for anything, there would be problems, although already not I could keep writing you. I hope your answer. I assure you my prayers and do not hesitate to ask for me.
Yours Affectionately in Jesus Christ, Fr. Juan Carlos Ortega, L.C.
The confession to the Chapter Fathers
The letter and photo of father Ortega began to circulate immediately after his election. And among the legionaries began to proliferate all kinds of comments. "The letter is surreal and reflects their utter lack discretion not only priests, but common sense," say some. Another added that "the photo is not an act of humility, but stupidity, to die of shame".
Aware of the rumor mill internal, Fr Ortega decides to send a letter to the 61 chapter members. It confirms that "the letter and the picture are mine", recognizes that the facts can cause "confusion and suffering" and explains "the context".
It blamed recklessness "the situation that crossed the movement" and "the need for forgiveness and repair the evil that the Legion had caused by its founder and the performance of some legionaries". And concludes as it began: "I apologise, as I did at the time, whom I was confusing to him to know aspects of my personal difficulties. Me apena pain and confusion that these facts, already channelled and overcome, cause at the moment".
Full text of the letter of Fr. Ortega to the Chapter Fathers
Your Kingdom come!
Rome. on November 26, 2013.
Chapter Fathers
Dear in Christ:
Receive a fraternal greeting in these months of grace for the whole movement.
I do not know how many of you have received a letter and a photograph mine are circulating in different chains of messages in recent days. It has seemed appropriate to write to them to get to know first-hand the facts which, no doubt, cause confusion and suffering, not only to me but also to the movement.
I can confirm that the letter and the picture are mine. They are from four years ago. I humbly acknowledge that they have been unfortunate things. I want to explain the context that will help you understand how I got to be this way.
During my stay in Rome, he was spiritual director of a student in our University. We were working on a situation in his family life. When I came back to Spain we keep in touch occasionally. Said me that, as a result of a particular circumstance of his life, he had felt humanely rejected by some students of the ateneo and also by a Legionary priest. This opened new wounds and I felt a need to join her in her pain. You will understand that I cannot say more about this person not to reveal their identity.
Soon after, he insisted in the Congregation about the need to ask for forgiveness and repair the wrong which the Legion had caused by its founder and the performance of some legionaries. After thinking it before the Lord and intending to accompany this person in his humiliation and, somehow, as way to order also I help, I chose a means of reparation that is shown today clearly inappropriate. Great personal confusion that was then living by what was going through the motion took me to act recklessly.
I want to also make clear that no superior asked me to do foreign impositions. The action was due to a very specific spiritual need that a person lived, a need for repair, confusing and not well managed, and personal difficulties that happened then. This writing was something personal, result of a moment of darkness within, and was intended to who could then understand it.
Thank God this happened. I apologize, as I did at the time, whom I was confusing to him to know aspects of my personal difficulties. I distressed the pain and confusion that these facts, already channelled and overcome, can cause currently. I also thank those who have helped me in that period with his prayer, respect and closeness.
If any had any concerns about these facts, I am at your disposal to discuss it. They can also share this letter with the people to whom you judge can help to meet her.
I ask your prayers for me and by the fruits of the assemblies that are in progress and the future general chapter.
Your brother in Jesus Christ,
P Juan Carlos Ortega, L.C.
Exchange of letters between Frs. Florencio and Juan Carlos
Father ortega apologizes to the Capitulants, but in his letter at least not presented his resignation. That will make it several days later, after an intense exchange of emails between him and his superior, father Florencio, with a copy to all the legionaries of Spain.
On December 10, the Fr. Florencio send mail, which warns of the consequences that the publication of the case might have on the "credibility" of the general chapter.
"The case of Fr. Juan Carlos is something of the past that someone is bringing into question these days to undermine the credibility of the chapter." I commented with Fr. Juan Carlos all this and I know you are thinking it seriously, as I do. But I think this is also what of those whom we represent because we voted. Some think this is thing of a few days and soon shut off. It is true that is you can be off in a few days, but the actual damage to the credibility of the chapter is that this "fan" during the same chapter (current damage clear which is lower). And although it was not a large damage to that credibility, all damage should avoid it if possible, and this is it."
Then delves into one of the most immediate consequences: the assistance or not to the chapter.
"The responsibility of assisting is fr. Juan Carlos and me. But it seems to me that in this matter we must hear the opinion of voters since, having been elected validly, and not constituting a crime none of the facts, there is no "legal" way to avoid that we will see. But there is way that voters voice their opinion respect to our assistance."
Even so, ensures the Florencio father that "the good of the chapter is above our" and therefore requests the Spanish Legionnaires that speak out on the matter.
On 12 December, the Spanish Legionnaires receive a long and seminal post of Fr. Ortega, in which, among other things, explains his reasons for attending the chapter and made this confession:
"I felt cheated by the founder and I suffered the consequences of a certain style of exercising the authority. If you speak with who was my spiritual director in Rome during the years 1997 to 2006 could tell you how frequently warned of some aspects on how to govern of Fr. Maciel, and that I did not share. Said me that I was not objective. In fact, unveiled the scandal of the founder, both the superior of Rome and Spain told me: "father, you see that you were right about what he said of P. Maciel".
Ensures the father Ortega that, among the superiors of the legion is given "some resistance and slow" to change, blamed the "distressing fact" that starred in "style of authority that we have lived" and believes that it must go to the chapter to "expose in the classroom chapter formation and authority gaps" that exist in the Legion.
With two objectives: scupper the still existing principle of "protecting the institution above the people" and that the Legion "be governed as a company". Although in the end, father Ortega has decided to give up its choice as a drop cap.
Many in the Legion, believe that father Florencio should not go to the chapter, because "those who voted them had not done so, knowing these things in advance". They also criticize the "incompetence" of father Delgado, the provincial of Spain, because "he knew this story for years and did nothing about it, as a faithful son of the marcialist system".
"For the legionaries of the renewal sector (as opposed to the gatopardistas** or those who want to change something so that nothing will change), "the chapter cannot be a varnish, but a chance to renew and purify themselves thoroughly and truth, as demands Pope Francis. The Legion should be another after the chapter and end up in her womb with so many lies, deceit and falsehood".
**[Blogger explanation: Fr. Carlos uses the term gatopardista and then explains what he means]
The two main actors in the case
Florencio Sñanchez is, according to his own colleagues, "an institution" at the (Legion's) Universidad Francisco de Vitoria (in Madrid, Spain). He has worked there for decades and was the promoter and trainer of the team of lay people (almost all members of the Regum Christi) which directed this Madrid private University. He is also the right hand man of the provincial (Territorial Director), Fr. Delgado.
Juan Carlos Ortega has recognition especially in the educational field. Specialist courses and spiritual exercises to nuns; regarded as of solid spiritual formation.
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