Month: January 2015

By J. Paul Lennon, LPC, M.Div.
Presented at ICSA International Conference
Silver Spring, MD Sat July 5th, 2014

 

What is the Legion of Christ?

The Legion of Christ is a bone fide Catholic religious order approved by the Vatican and composed of about 800 priests, 2,500 seminarians, and 60,000 lay members. It reached the pinnacle of its prestige and power during the reign of Pope John Paul II. So not like it is some unknown, far-removed, weird, esoteric group. Together with other cult sensitive individuals and organizations the author has contended for years that the Legion of Christ possesses several harmful cult-like features. In this paper the author wants to show that this organization acknowledges violating some basic human rights of its recruits, trainees and members.

Continue reading “Are there Abuses of Human Rights in the Legion of Christ?”

By Michelle R. Smith And Nicole Winfield
The Associated Press

PROVIDENCE, R.I. –  Released documents shed light on the inner workings of a secretive and now-disgraced Roman Catholic order called the Legion of Christ, including new details on how the organization took control of an elderly woman’s finances and persuaded her to bequeath it $60 million.

Continue reading “Legion of Christ Dubious Fundraising Practices”

By Father James Farfaglia
Former Legionary of Christ Priest

Founded in Mexico in 1941 by the late Father Marcial Maciel, the controversial and charismatic leader was sanctioned by Pope Benedict XVI on May 19, 2006 in an official communiqué from the Holy See for leading a “private life without scruples or authentic religious sentiment.”

Continue reading “The Legionaries of Christ – Who is Really In Charge?”

By Robert Costello
Special to Crux December 22, 2014

In the weeks since Pope Francis convened a Synod of Bishops from around the world to discuss issues important to family life, there has been a lot of talk about whether the Church should be more welcoming to gays, allow divorced/civilly remarried Catholics to receive Communion, or make annulments easier to obtain.

Continue reading “Clergy abuse survivor to bishops: You’re ignoring the greatest threat to the family”