Monday, June 10, 2013

Fr. John O'Reilly Sex Abuse Allegations in Chile

Picture: John O'Reilly | RBB ArchiveThere seems to be a dearth of updated information regarding serious accusations against the Legion of Christ's #1 priest in Chile. The info below is from Dec 2012. [automatic translation]


The first accusation is followed by a second from another daughter of the same family.

Fr. O'Reilly faces new sex abuse allegation
Thursday December 13, 2012 | 16:14
Posted by Andrea Moreno | The Information is Patrick Andrade · 2132 views
The prosecution revealed a new accusation of alleged sexual abuse against Father John O'Reilly, right after the priest declared that he "never" had approaches with minors.
At 13:00 pm on Thursday began taking evidence in the 4th Court of Guarantee of Santiago, where O'Reilly gave his version of the alleged sexual abuse against a minor in the College Summit.
The right to the statement was a request made by the defense attorney, Luis Hermosilla, as indicated by the requirement responds to that for five months the prosecutor Ignacio Pinto has refused to hear the testimony of the clergy.
"I never had approaches" of a sexual nature with the least who was then six years, said the cleric, adding that working with the school performed it in a room with windows.
 the Attorney East reacted immediately confirming that a new indictment involving the girl's sister complainant, becoming a second alleged victim of priest.
For his part, the complainant family lawyer, Jose Ignacio Escobar, expressed harsh criticism of the canonical investigation that leads the Catholic Church, because in his view has not advanced at all.

Saturday, June 1, 2013

Active Priest former Legionary Gives Up on Reform because of Ostracizing Reforming Priest






A very loving and fervent active priest who was once a Legionary posted a month ago on his blog "After Leaving the Legion of Christ"

Thursday, April 18, 2013


Forced Limbo

I recently received an email from a Legionary Priest I had been close to before leaving the Legion, and for a time, after. I hadn't had any contact with him for many months. He sent me an Easter greeting, and I replied. From there I was able to find out a bit what is going on in his life. I was disturbed by this interchange of emails. I will keep his name and personal data private, out of respect.

It seems he is no longer living in a Legionary community, but has not sought a diocese. He is living in his home town in a private residence with a family member. This is source of great suffering for him. He is in a real state of limbo, neither here nor there. Imagine what that means for his priestly ministry.

My heart went out to him when I heard this. I know that in the past he was called to Rome, normally a period in time they give to dissident religious or priests to get them back on track though spiritual direction and studies. I doubt he was very happy in that setting.

I don't know how his present situation came about, but for him to have to seek refuge, either willingly or by force, is not a sign that all is well behind the curtain of Legionary charity. All I know is that, when you are in limbo, as I had lived more that a couple of time in the Legion, what do you say to others, how do you explain to them what you are going through. You live in constant humiliation. From there comes a life of lies to protect the honor of the Congregation, who couldn't possibly be doing anything wrong. You lie, swallow your pride and keep on plugging along, hoping things will get better.

Obviously things are not getting better. This similar situation with this priest has lead him to live outside his religious community but not accepted into a diocese. That is tragic. So much for "We'll help you with whatever you need."

All this calls to mind the Legionary practices outlined in the Communiqué of the Holy See dated May 1, 2013 [2010? says this blogger; need to clarify]:
a deplorable discrediting and distancing of those who entertained doubts as to the probity of his [Fr Maciel's] conduct;
the need to review the exercise of authority, which must be joined to truth, so as to respect consciences and to develop in the light of the Gospel as authentic ecclesial service.
Obviously, this issue of Legionary procedure has not been addressed. 

I have given up hope that a true renewal will take place in the Legion long ago. This exchange with this priest has only helped to cement this conviction. We can only pray that our Lord will intercede and rectify this situation. The Legion must not be allowed to continue using people and abusing individual's generosity.

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Pope Francis follows Legion Reform

fresh off the press as reported by Vatican Insider/La Stampa in Rome

Monday, May 13, 2013

Legion Blog Features Fr. Williams Leaving Priesthood





The Regnum Christi blog features Fr. Williams Leaving the Priesthood and has allowed comments pro and con
Kudos to Legion/Regnum openness

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Legion of Christ "theoretical poverty" slammed by Pope Francis


 

“We have no use for theoretical poverty,” Francis said, departing from his prepared text.




Not that he referred to the LC by name but from the context -speaking to religious orders- what he says can be applied easily to the Legion of Christ and the Regnum Christi Movement who, following the spirituality of Fr. Marcial Maciel bequeathed to them, have always opted for "a spirit of poverty" over and above effective poverty. The question is, could the Pope be alluding to the Legion and does he have some clean up in store from them?




Francis urges priests to live simple lives among the poor

   
Pope Francis said today that clergy who were “careerists” or “social climbers” were doing serious damage to the Catholic Church, his latest utterance aimed at instilling a sense of frugality and service in the Vatican and beyond.
Francis (76), the former Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, made the comments while addressing a gathering of superiors general of orders of nuns from around the world.
“Men and women of the Church who are careerists, social climbers, who use the people, the Church, brothers and sisters - those they should serve - as a springboard for their own ambitions and personal interests do great damage to the Church,” he said.
“We learn poverty from the humble, the poor, the sick,” he added, urging clergy to work with those on the margins of society and shun the “idols of materialism” that cloud the true meaning of life.
“We have no use for theoretical poverty,” Francis said, departing from his prepared text.
Since his election on March 13th, Francis has made it clear through his words and example that he wants clergy to live simpler lives, to serve the poor and shun temptations of power.
He has decided not to live in the spacious, luxurious papal apartments in the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace used by his predecessors, opting instead for a small suite in a guest house, where he shares meals with other residents.
In his address, the pope appeared to be sending a message not only to priests, nuns and bishops around the world who serve the 1.2 billion-member church, but also to bureaucrats in the Vatican itself.
Francis has inherited a Vatican rocked by a scandal in which documents leaked to the media spoke of alleged corruption in its administration and depicted prelates as fighting among themselves to advance their careers.
Last month he set up an advisory board of eight cardinals from around the world to help him reform the Vatican administration.
They will help him put into place changes in an administration which has been held responsible for some of the mishaps and scandals that plagued the eight-year reign ofPope Benedict before he resigned in February.
Benedict left a secret report for Francis on the problems in the administration, which came to light when sensitive documents were stolen from the pope’s desk and leaked by his butler in what became know as the “Vatileaks” scandal.
Before the conclave that elected Francis, cardinals called for changes to the Curia to make it a model of good governance, including introducing term limits on Vatican bureaucrats.
Anger at the mostly Italian prelates who run the Curia was one of the reasons that cardinals chose the first non-European pope for 1,300 years and quashed the chances of one of the front-runners, Milan Archbishop Angelo Scola.

Friday, April 26, 2013

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




====
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
---

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

Monday, April 22, 2013

"More Catholic than the Pope!" Legion of Christ is less...




The title is a Spanish expression which I have translated. I hope you understand the meaning. It refers to people "to the right of the Pope", "more Orthodox than the Pope"

The blogger applies it to the Pius X Society as it appears in the article below.

Could it be applied to the Legion of Christ? Maybe not, because the Legion has been careful to strike a pretty good balance as regards doctrine, thus distancing itself from "Catholic weirdos," while never espousing anything approaching "Liberation Theology".

The Legion, however, is not on the same page with the Pope as regards the apostolate. Pope Francis had some of his diocesan priests living in the barrios of Buenos Aires with the poor and marginalized. The Legion's specific apostolate starts at the top of society and pretends to 'trickle down' to the masses.

In this sense, the Legion is "less Catholic than the Pope"!
--


Catholic rebel group begins criticising new pope
By Tom Heneghan, Religion Editor
PARIS | Thu Apr 18, 2013

(Reporting By Tom Heneghan; Editing by Michael Roddy)

A rebel Catholic group at the heart of major controversies that plagued former Pope Benedict has begun criticising his successor Pope Francis for the popular approach he has taken since his election last month.

In a letter to supporters this week, the head of the ultra- traditionalist Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) asked whether the new pontiff's focus on serving people could be only "man-centred philanthropy" rather than true religious leadership.

Bishop Bernard Fellay's sharp criticisms of the Vatican attracted attention during Benedict's papacy because the now retired head of the Roman Catholic Church wanted to reintegrate the once-excommunicated group fully into the Roman fold.

Francis, the former Argentine Cardinal Jorge Bergoglio, has upset many Catholic traditionalists by eschewing Vatican pomp, presenting himself as a humble servant of the poor and showing little interest in returning to centuries-old traditions.

In his letter, Fellay urged Francis "not to allow souls to perish because they no longer learn sound doctrine", by which he meant the ultra-traditionalist views the SSPX advocates.

"What good is it to devote oneself to serving people if it hides from them what is essential?" asked Fellay, whose group claims 500 priests and a million followers around the world.

Aiding the poor has always been a concern for the Church, he said, "but if it becomes merely man-centred philanthropy, then the Church is no longer carrying out its mission".

Fellay, who had long hoped that Benedict would give in and reintegrate his group without conditions, had avoided public comment on his successor until now.

Soon after his election, the SSPX head for South America, Rev Christian Bouchacourt, denounced Francis's simple style as humiliating and undignified for the Church.

"NOT A CATHOLIC"

While Benedict criticised some reforms of the 1962-1965 Second Vatican Council, Francis praised it on Tuesday as "a beautiful work of the Holy Spirit" that remained to be fully implemented although some wanted to turn back the clock.

Benedict's wooing of the SSPX, part of a his wider plan to bring back many Catholic traditions sidelined after Vatican II, triggered several controversies during his eight-year papacy.

His 2007 decision to allow wider use of the old Latin Mass met with a mixed reaction among Catholics and Jewish groups said it revived an old Latin prayer they considered anti-Semitic.

Two years later, Benedict set off a firestorm of criticism from Catholics, Jews and German politicians when he lifted the excommunications on the four SSPX bishops, including the notorious Holocaust-denier Bishop Richard Williamson.

Lifting the excommunications meant the four bishops were once again full members of the 1.2-billion member Church, but they and the SSPX had no official position or role within it.

In 2010, the Vatican launched theological discussions with the rebels aimed at an agreement that would make the SSPX a "personal prelature" or autonomous institution in the Church.

They ended in deadlock last year and Benedict made clear he would not give in on central Vatican II reforms such as its opening to dialogue with other faiths, especially Judaism.

Archbishop Gerhard Mueller, the top doctrinal official in Rome, told Germany's Catholic news agency KNA last month that all priests accept the Council's reforms as valid.

"Whoever does not recognise this is not a Catholic," he declared.