Following is an unofficial English translation of the original article. For original article in Spanish Click Here
The head of the official Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano, Gian Maria Vian, stated that the intention of Pope Benedict XVI is to achieve a “radical reform” of the congregation of the Legionaries of Christ.
While waiting in the next few days for the appointment of an apostolic commissioner to conduct the re-founding of the Legion, the journalist told Notimex about the enormous
effort led by the Vatican to get to the bottom (of this situation).
The situation of the Legionaries is very delicate, has required a particular effort on the part of the Holy See, already begun in the last years of the pontificate of John Paul II and then accelerated by Benedict XVI,
he said.
He recognized the enormous work
? led by the five bishops who reviewed all the houses of the Legion in the world by the Pope’s order and as part of an apostolic visitation after the public recognition of the immoral actions of the founder, Marcial Maciel.
The findings of that investigation were contained in a lengthy statement released last 1 May, which made it clear that the structure of the congregation has been heavily damaged
by the criminal acts of its founder.
In this regard Vian said that (the statement was) a very detailed bulletin that was not expected and it showed a willingness on the part of the Holy See to tackle the problem in the fairest way, i.e. take into account an important fact, the Legion must be radically reformed
.
The director of L’Osservatore Romano referred to the Apostolic Delegate who is expected to reform the Legion. There has been concern about the appointment of Italian Archbishop Velasio De Paolis because of his advanced age, 74 years and that this could be an impediment to (achieving the objectives of) the mission.
His age does not seem to be an obstacle because the Pope is 83 years old, John XXIII was 78 at the Second Vatican Council. If Archbishop De Paolis is selected as the delegate he is only 74, so he is younger (than those mentioned) so his age is not necessarily an obstacle
.
Although it has not yet been officially announced, sources in Rome are assuming that De Paolis will be named as curator of the Legion. Formal appointment is expected for next week
The same sources claim that the bishop will be accompanied by two deputy delegates,
one for the Hispanic and the other for the Anglophone areas.
NTX / ABA / DAS /