The Legionaries of Christ recent-
ly held their General Chapter
in Rome, as the wider Regnum
Christi Federation held its General As-
semblies.
Pope Francis was scheduled to address
the group on Saturday, but had to cancel
due to a “slight indisposition”. The Direc-
tor of the Holy See Press Office, Matteo
Bruni, said the Pope did celebrate Mass
and keep his scheduled appointments in
the Casa Santa Marta on Saturday morn-
ing.
Difficult past
In his prepared remarks which were
read out to the group, Pope Francis
said the “criminal behavior” of Father
Marcial Maciel Degollado generated “a
major institutional and personal crisis”
within the Regnum Christi Federation.
The Pope said Fr Maciel was certainly
the historical founder of the federation,
but that he could in no way be looked to
as an example of holiness to imitate.
“He managed to make himself a point
of reference, through an illusion he cre-
ated with his double life. In addition,
his personalized government had to
some extent polluted the charism that
the Spirit had originally given to the
Church. And this was reflected in the
norms, as well as in the exercise of gov-
ernance, obedience, and way of life.”
New path forward
The Church, said Pope Francis, took
action when this situation was discov-
ered, and amply showed her “maternal
solicitude.”
He said the new Statutes and Consti-
tution of the Regnum Christi Federation
“reflect a new spirit and vision of reli-
gious life in line with the Second Vatican
Council and the indications of the Holy
See.”
“It was an event that brought about
a true conversion of the heart and the
mind,” he said. “You opened yourselves
courageously to the action of the Holy
Spirit, thus entering into a journey of
true discernment.”
Based on discernment
Pope Francis acknowledged that the
change “was not easy” but that there is
still much work of discernment to be
done.
“The journey must continue, looking
ahead and not backward. You can look
backward only to find confidence in
God’s assistance, which has never been
lacking.”
So he urged the Regnum Christi Fed-
eration to continue the struggle to renew
itself, because “a return to the past would
be dangerous and without meaning.”
