"Approved by the Church" Caveat Catholic

"Beware of wolves in sheep's clothing"

Exchanging emails with Dr. Michael Langone, executive Director of I.C.S.A. to focus on content of next year's presentation in Montreal, Canada.

We are still 'disconcerted' by the facility with which Catholics continue to be deceived by any group that claims to be '"approved by the Church",
a catch-all phrase that could mean a thousand different things and should not be gobbled up by the innocent.
"All that glitters is not gold" and

"Beware of wolves in sheep's clothing" [Remember who said that?]

Will keep you posted.

De Paolis Letter to Regnum Christi re Apostolic Visitation

Regarding results of recent Apostolic Visitation to the Regnum Christi theLegion/ Regnum gives us their interpretation on their page -like we can't read the letter on our own.... Oh, the members need Daddy big Priest to explain it to them... Well, below we quote the original, unadulterated version:


Cardinale Velasio De Paolis, c.s.
Piazza del Sant‘Uffizio, 11
00120 CITTÀ DEL VATICANO

Rome, 15 October 2011

Dear Legionaries and consecrated men and women of Regnum Christi,
In his apostolic visitation, carried out from January to June 2011, His Excellency Ricardo Blázquez,
archbishop of Valladolid, met almost all of the consecrated members of Regnum Christi in a number
of countries, whether in group meetings or individual interviews.  He also received much written
input.  At the beginning of September, he turned in his report to the Pontifical Delegate.
We will now carefully analyze the report in order to understand it fully.  Then we will undertake
whatever seems necessary to revise the statutes that regulate the life of the consecrated members
of Regnum Christi and how they live in practice.   Along with my Council, I began to get acquainted
with the report, albeit necessarily briefly.  There was also a joint meeting with Legionaries and
Regnum Christi consecrated persons in which we exchanged our reflections. This exchange needs to
be continued and reflected upon deeply.

A positive point that emerges from the apostolic visitation is that at a personal level the consecrated
members are grateful for their vocation and live their consecration to God according to the
evangelical counsels with joy, aware that they render a valuable service to the Church with their selfgiving.
However, the issues regarding personal and community life that have emerged from this same
visitation on an institutional level initially appear to be many and challenging.  We should handle
them with the people that are the first affected, that is, the consecrated persons.  This is about their
lives.  At the same time we cannot forget their history either, which is intimately linked to that of the
Legion.

In general, there is a positive judgment on the relationship between the Legion and the consecrated
persons in Regnum Christi because of the good fruits that this has borne in the apostolate, for which
we thank the Lord.  At the same time, more than a few points surface that need to be clarified and
perhaps rethought.  In particular the visitation showed that there is a widespread desire among the
consecrated persons for a proper autonomy – which the consecrated persons should enjoy, and
which pertains to them as a form of association within the Church.  The visitator’s report does not
specify the extent this should have, but it should certainly involve responsibility on the part of the
consecrated women and men in the organization and government of their personal, community, and
apostolic lives.  The issue of autonomy appears linked to the juridical nature of the group of
consecrated persons itself and to the scope and juridical weight of their consecration in the
profession of the evangelical counsels.  On the one hand, it will be necessary to maintain a link of
participation, even if specified in a distinct manner, in the same charism, spirituality, and apostolate, thus saving a precious inheritance. On the other hand, it will be necessary to find an adequate
configuration that corresponds to Canon Law, in order to better conserve, promote and develop this
treasure.

Thus begins an important and challenging period to study the issues that will come up, as we reflect
on the Apostolic Visitator’s report and begin the revision of the Statutes.  It is also necessary to find
the right way and a suitable procedure  in order to guarantee serious, appropriate and decisionoriented reflection on the fundamental issues along with the commitment of all those involved,
according to each one’s responsibility, whether at the individual or collective level.  Even before
beginning the examination of the condition of the consecrated persons in Regnum Christi, a few
guidelines can be useful as of now, even if they are provisional.

1. This process will unfold under the responsibility of the Pontifical Delegate for the congregation of
the Legionaries of Christ, assisted by his personal councilors.
2. The statutes of Regnum Christi approved by the Holy See on November 26, 2004 remain in force
until new indications are given, barring specific cases.  For ordinary life the general director of the
Legionaries retains authority over the consecrated persons according to the current regulations
contained in the Statutes.  However, all of the important decisions regarding the consecrated
women and men of Regnum Christi, particularly admission of new consecrated persons, transfers,
nominations and the dismissals or dispensations from promises, will need the approval of the
Pontifical Delegate, after hearing the opinion of the general director’s assistant for the consecrated
women or the consecrated men.
3. The figure of a priest as delegate of the general director and [of a priest as delegate] of the
territorial directors for the consecrated women in Regnum Christi is suspended. Meanwhile, the
functions that until now have been exercised by the delegate of the general director pass on to the
general director’s assistants for the consecrated women and the consecrated men, who will be
assisted by three councilors.  Any difficulties may be presented to the Pontifical Delegate.
4. All that has been established for the Legionaries of Christ concerning spiritual direction, the
sacrament of penance, correspondence and the use of the Internet, and the protection of the
conscience in dialogue with superiors also applies to the consecrated women and men of Regnum
Christi.  As for the sacrament of penance and spiritual direction, the freedom of the consecrated
women and men in the choice of confessors and spiritual directors, as well as in manifesting their
conscience to their directors and to the general director of the Legionaries, has to be fully
recognized (cf. can. 630 of The Code of Canon Law).

Therefore the directors are required to diligently provide that sufficient and suitable ordinary and extraordinary confessors be available for the consecrated women and men, and that among these there always be priests who do not belong to the Legion of Christ.  Moreover, what is established in can. 991 must be kept in mind: “Every member of the Christian faithful is free to confess sins to a legitimately approved confessor of his or her choice, even to one of another rite.”


Everyone – consecrated women, consecrated men, Legionaries of Christ – are called to give their
collaboration, in ways that will be specified soon.  As of now any suggestions and proposals for the
path of revision that is before us can be sent to the Delegate.
I exhort all to begin and to walk this path of personal and community reflection in an environment of
prayer, dialogue, and respect in order to bring to completion the beautiful reality of consecrated life
in Regnum Christi in the Church.  To all I wish every good thing in the Lord and I invoke the Lord’s
blessing with the abundance of his gifts.

Yours truly,
Velasio Card. De Paolis, c.s.

Pontifical Delegate

Archbishop who Saw Through Legion of Christ gets Vatican "Promotion"

Monday, October 10, 201

Pope Appoints Archbishop O'Brien Grand Master of Equestrian Order of Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem

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Archbishop to Serve as Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Baltimore Until a Successor is Named

Archbishop Edwin F. O’Brien announced today that Pope Benedict XVI has appointed him Grand Master of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. With the announcement of the appointment, the Archbishop immediately ceases serving as Archbishop of Baltimore, a post he’s held since October 1, 2007; however, he will serve as Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese until a successor is named.

In accepting the new position, Archbishop O’Brien assumes responsibility for the ancient lay Catholic Order whose goal is to promote and defend Christianity in the Holy Land and to support the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

“It has been a singular privilege to serve as Archbishop of Baltimore,” the Archbishop said. “It is with a heavy heart that I will be departing…I pray that I will carry out the will of God and that of [the Pope] in preserving the faith in the Holy Land.”

The Archbishop made the announcement earlier today at the Catholic Center in downtown Baltimore in front of more than 200 employees of the Archdiocese’s central services offices, Catholic Charities, the Cathedral Foundation and the Basilica.

Archbishop O’Brien succeeds Cardinal John Patrick Foley who resigned in February due to reasons of health. Cardinal Foley held the position since 2007.

"I would like to thank Cardinal Foley for his excellent service as Grand Master,” Archbishop O’Brien added. “He brought great joy and enthusiasm to the position and accomplished much in his effective leadership of the Order. I would also like to gratefully acknowledge the Cardinal's personal words of congratulations and support. Since learning of my appointment I have spent some time with Cardinal Foley and I am sure I will be turning to him from time to time for his continued good counsel."

Archbishop O’Brien said he was unsure how long it will be before his successor is named, but assured those present that the Holy See is aware of the importance of naming a new Archbishop as soon as possible, citing many critical programs underway in the Archdiocese.

During his pontificate, Pope Benedict XVI has stressed the urgency of preserving a strong Christian presence in the Holy Land.

As Grand Master, Archbishop O’Brien will reside in Vatican City and will make visits to the Holy Land and to the Order’s lieutenancies, which are located throughout the world. The Archbishop has served as Grand Prior of the Mid-Atlantic Lieutenancy of the United States, based in Washington, D.C., since 2010.

According to the Vatican, the Order’s principal mission is to “reinforce the practice of Christian life by its members…and to sustain and assist the religious, spiritual, charitable and social works of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land; and to conserve and propagate the faith in the Holy Land and the rights of the Catholic Church there.”

Members of the Order must be practicing Catholics of good character and be recommended by their local Ordinary, or bishop, with the support of several members of the Order. Today, there are close to 18,000 members of the order who give generously to the Holy See and its institutions, particularly in the Holy Land, where it gives substantial aid to the humanitarian and religious projects of the Patriarch.

In 2009, members contributed over $10 million to the Holy Land, providing support for the patriarchal schools there and humanitarian relief.

In a statement issued today, Cardinal Foley cited Archbishop O’Brien’s “experience and splendid dedication as priest and archbishop” and said the Archbishop will be “an outstanding leader” of the Order. “I could not be happier that he is my successor,” the Cardinal added.

During his tenure as the 15th Archbishop of the nation’s oldest Catholic diocese, Archbishop O’Brien has focused the Church’s ministry in several key areas, including the promotion of vocations, fostering a culture of respect for the dignity of every person, improving the quality of life in Baltimore City, and to help Catholics in the Archdiocese—young, old, and those who may have left the Church—renew and strengthen the bonds of their faith.

Since arriving to serve as Archbishop of Baltimore in October 2007:

• Archbishop O’Brien has ordained seven new priests for the Archdiocese and over 120 men have entered the program for priestly formation.
• The Archbishop’s Annual Appeal, a comprehensive fundraising program designed to aid the parishes, schools and charitable programs within the Archdiocese, has generated more than $23 million in pledged donations and is projected to surpass the $30 million mark this year.
• The Archdiocese has raised and distributed more than $7.5 million in tuition assistance for children in inner city Catholic schools.
• More than 3,100 new Catholics entered the Catholic Church in the Archdiocese.

While many areas of Church life have experienced growth in recent years, Catholic school enrollment continued to decline, a trend that was accelerated by the economic downturn that began in the fall of 2008.

To reverse this disturbing trend—one that led to the closing of several Catholic schools in the years prior to his installation as Archbishop of Baltimore--and to head-off the dire consequences that the financial crisis posed for Catholic schools, Archbishop O’Brien initiated an unprecedented review and strategic planning process for the entire school system. These efforts led to the painful but necessary consolidation of a dozen Catholic elementary schools and one high school, as well as the creation of a long-term strategy for strengthening Catholic schools. As well a number of new educational initiatives to help Catholic schools remain competitive were developed, including dual language, Montessori and STEM, with the promise of additional programs to follow.

Guided by a blue ribbon committee of educational, community, business and philanthropic leaders, the Archbishop called for the creation of a new Archdiocesan School Board and a new model for school governance that puts the Superintendent of Schools in charge of school leaders and puts priests in charge of the spiritual identity of the school. The critical issue of bridging the affordability gap many families are facing was also a key area of focus for the Archbishop, as he called on every Catholic parish in the Archdiocese to financially support Catholic school education. This resulted in the implementation of an annual special assessment and a special collection for Catholic education, both designed to help fund tuition assistance and other forms of assistance to families and schools.

“While the thought of leaving Baltimore—which I have come to think of as a permanent and welcoming home—saddens me, the news underscores the fact that the Church is built and ordered on Christ, alone,” said Archbishop O’ Brien.

Archbishop Dolan Sucks Up to Legion of Christ

 "Sucks up" according to a Legion-tinted report

Living the Truth:

New York Archbishop tells Legionaries he admires them as they “stand at the feet of Christ”

  

Thornwood, New York --

New York Archbishop Timothy Dolan considers having a Legionary house in New York a “jewel in the crown of the Archdiocese.”

This is one of the comments the Archbishop made to the members of the Legion during a September 15, 2011, visit to the Thornwood Center in Thornwood, New York.

Priests from across the country had just completed their annual spiritual exercises at Thornwood on the previous day. The Archbishop came to celebrate Mass at the invitation of Fr Julio Marti, LC. The date of September 15 was chosen because it is the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows, a principal feast for the Legion.

Archbishop Dolan told the 40 priests concelebrating with him and the 100 religious brothers attending that he had known and admired the Legionaries since he was a seminarian in Rome in 1972.

“He said his admiration has increased seeing us living in truth, no matter how much pain, sorrow and embarrassment we have suffered,” said Fr. Michael Brisson, LC, community superior of the Legionaries in Thornwood. “We should stand at the feet of Christ and never lose sight of him.”

During his remarks, the Archbishop focused on the presence of Mary in the life of Christ and the Church. She was present in the two most famous scenes of Christ’s life, his birth in Bethlehem and his death on Calvary. Archbishop Dolan suggested his listeners take a lesson from Mary, who knew how to live both in times of joy and in times of sorrow.

After Mass, the Archbishop asked to be able to visit with each person present.

“And he did just that!” said Fr. Michael. “He spent the next hour shaking hands, laughing with and encouraging everyone.”

ZENIT founder, Jesus Colina, Ousted by Legion because of Questioning

Christ is my Life, Jesus Colina interviews Marcial Maciel, Founder of the Legion of the Christ and the Regnum Christi Movement

News item received from Info-Secte, the Canadian cult-watch group

Founder of Zenit forced out by Legion

Rome, Italy, Sep 29, 2011 / 10:08 am (CNA).- 

Jesus Colina, the founder and director of the news agency Zenit, has announced his resignation after a decision by the Legionaries of Christ to enhance the Legion identity of the agency.

Established 14 years ago as an independent agency seeking to report on “the world seen from Rome,” Zenit has established a strong presence on the Internet, with daily editions in seven languages.

Colina was appointed a consultor to the Pontifical Council for Social Communications by Pope Benedict XVI, and has received the Path to Peace Award from the Path to Peace Foundation, which works in close collaboration with the Holy See’s Permanent Observer to the United Nations.

In an exclusive interview from Rome with Catholic News Agency, Colina explained the details behind his departure.

What are the reasons for your resignation?

The current chairman of the board at Zenit, Legionary priest Father Oscar Nader, requested I take this step based on the view that as a person linked to various Catholic communications initiatives, I do not offer the clear idea of the institutional identity of Zenit that the Legionaries of Christ wish to communicate from now on.

How do you explain this decision?

Well, in reality I think this decision is the culmination of a gradual mutual loss of trust which began several years ago. The manner in which the Legion of Christ hid the information about Fr. Marcial Maciel, which was discovered bit by bit by the press, caused a breakdown of trust in this institution on the part of the director of the news agency.

I understand the difficult situation in which the superiors of the Legionaries of Christ found themselves.  Now in public statements they have said they already had proof of Fr. Maciel’s different lives for years before his death.  Nevertheless, despite the statement issued by the Holy See in 2006, they continued to present him as a role model, even at his death and after his death.

The superiors invited me to a Mass celebrated at the chapel of the Legionaries’ Center for Higher Studies 30 days after his death. During the homily, before hundreds of religious, Fr. Maciel was presented as a role model.  This is particularly grave, because it is one thing to avoid a scandal in revealing the crimes or the double (although you would have to say the triple or quadruple) life of Fr. Maciel, and quite another to continuing maintaining this myth of sanctity that the congregation had promoted during his life.
 Moreover, since a number of years had passed since the Vatican statement was issued calling on Fr. Maciel to retire and to publicly acknowledge his lies and crimes, the impression was spread among the religious and those close to the Legionaries that the Pope had unjustly punished him.  This to me is very grave, especially considering everything that this Pope has done for the congregation.

But, in reality since the Legionaries were the ones who asked you to resign, it seems that they also lost trust in you.

Yes, undoubtedly trust is a sentiment that goes in two directions, it cannot be one way.  In the last two years, everything the congregation has experienced has created tension. Two years ago, the Zenit staff asked the board to establish a totally separate and transparent management in order to guarantee independence in response to any accusations. Zenit is an agency that depends on donations from its readership and ought to be able to explain where every dollar goes.  Although the board promised to set up this kind of arrangement, in practice this has not been done.  I am morally convinced that the money we have received from our readers goes directly to Zenit, but I cannot demonstrate this formally and administratively.

As one can understand, my continuous complaints about this situation led the superiors of the Legionaries to also lose trust in me.  This trust was completely broken when I proposed allowing other Catholic entities to have a seat on the board of Zenit, in order to address these questions and provide for an editorial future and greater ecclesial representation.  Not only was the proposal ignored, it led to my firing as well.

You knew Fr. Maciel well, you even published a book interview with him.  Did you know anything about his private life?

Like the vast majority of people who knew him, including John Paul II, I could have never imagined that he was guilty of the crimes that have now been proven.  During the meetings I had with him, I always believed I was standing before an authentic priest. This is the “enigma” of Fr. Maciel which Benedict XIV spoke about in his book.  I never had any doubts about him until the Vatican published the statement calling on him to retire to a life of prayer and penance.  The review of his biography and the amazing growth of the works he founded led me to believe that there had to be Christian authenticity at the origin.  There were some details that sometimes surprised me, such as his interest in appearance, for example, but I ascribed that to his cultural origins.  Like so many other people, I was also shocked to discover the deceit in someone who had been presented to us as a role model.

For 20 years you have worked as correspondent in Rome, and 14 years ago you began Zenit.  What is your assessment?

The Maciel case and its understandably tragic consequences cannot blur the human, spiritual and professional adventure experienced by those lucky enough to spend their lives offering news coverage of the life of the Pope and the Holy See.  As a journalist you see human weakness, but you also see a lot of holiness, an immense work of charity at the service of those most in need.  I have been able to know John Paul II and now Benedict XVI: two people of surprising spiritual and intellectual stature. 

All this depth and holiness cannot be clouded by Fr. Maciel’s lies. Honestly I know many priests and seminarians of the Legionaries of Christ and I consider them to be authentic Christians and, in a certain sense, martyrs of the situation they are confronting with so much love for Christ and the Church.

http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/founder-of-zenit-forced-out-by-legion/

Maciel's wife and daughter; he on his death bed, and other UNPUBLISHED IMAGES -

Fr. Maciel relaxing with his lover and daughter


IMAGES NEVER SEEN BEFORE
on this promo for upcoming Mexican TV show THE LAST DAYS OF MARCIAL MACIEL
MM on his death bed
with his 'wife' and his daughter
at the height of his glory
with his men

Maciel embraces Alvaro Corcuera, his protege, on the latter's ordination; Alvaro would be chosen by Maciel to be his successor at the head of the Legion; Alvaro has inherited his father's survival skills, and the art of seducing Church Leaders

PS don't forget to check my other blogs, Understanding the Legion of Christ..., and others which may contain other relevant information.

Former Opus Dei [like RC] Sues over Unslavement

This is not Van Morrison's 'entrainment' but rather "enslavement" a charge being brought against her previous "employer" Opus Dei by a Numerary




[From a source]


The Telegraph at this site:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/france/8782610/French-woman-sues-Opus-Dei-for-enslavement.html

reports a story about a former Opus Dei numerary (similar to 3gf) who is suing because she feels she was enslaved for over ten years, forced to make vows of poverty chastity and obedience and was cut off from the outside world. She was 14 years old when she started and left when she was 27.
She has made some interesting claims that sound quite similar to the situation with 3gf's. Assuming she is telling the truth, she was given a wage and then had to provide blank checks to kick back the money. It sounds as if she was subjected to mind control, isolation, excessive work load and when she needed medical help she was sent to a doctor who was also an OD member. He prescribed heavy doses of anti psychotic drugs for her. She was "chaperoned" by her spiritual director. 

In her case, there are some striking parallels to life in RC. I realize that you can't judge from one case and of course it is possible that she really was psychotic. But the circumstances sound quite familiar.