By Jose Signori
(Gen Correspondent in Italy)
The Legionaries of Christ for the first time acknowledged today that its founder, Marcial Maciel Degollado, committed child sexual abuse and apologized victims by ignoring their charges.
The congregation of Mexican origin issued a lengthy statement in which his superiors delivered a mea culpa for the "misdeeds" of Maciel also apologizing to "all those who have been affected, injured or offended."
The text, of about four pages, was released at noon on Friday in Rome and at the same Legionnaires "abjured" of its founder to say that, for all his "serious misconduct" can not be considered as a model Christian and priestly life.
The document explained that he believed "false and unfounded" accusations against Maciel when it came to light in 1997 and only became aware of their faults until May 2006 when it enacted the Vatican.
At that time, he said, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith "came to a moral certainty sufficient to impose severe canonical sanctions, related to charges among which included acts of sexual abuse of minor seminarians. "
"Therefore, we must say with deep regret that these events occurred," he established the paper which broke the previous position of defending Legion "innocence" of his mentor at all costs.
The letter was signed by the leadership of the congregation, led by CEO Alvaro Corcuera, the vicar general Luis Garza, secretary and advisers Evaristo Sada Francisco Mateos, Michael Ryan and Joseph Burtka.
Legionaries also said to have taken cognizance a daughter sired by Maciel "in the context of a long and stable relationship with a woman" as well as two others, brothers to one another, claiming to be his children, fruit of the relationship with another woman. Therefore
said that disapprove "these and all acts contrary to the duties of a Christian priest in the religious life of Maciel," saying that do not correspond to the values \u200b\u200bof the Legion of Christ and the Regnum Christi Movement.
"It has taken time to assimilate the facts of his life. For many, especially for victims, this time was too long and painful. Sometimes we have been unable or known to step out of all as it had been necessary, as, indeed, was our desire, "said the note.
"express, once again, our sorrow and condolences to each and every one of those who have been harmed by the actions of our founding. Partake of the suffering that this scandal has caused the Church and we grieve and grieve deeply, "he said.
0 comments:
Post a Comment