ROME
The Journal (Ireland)
THE HEAD of the embattled ‘Legion of Christ’ religious order has admitted to covering up news that his most prominent priest had fathered a child, and announced a review of all past allegations of sexual abuse against Legion priests amid a growing scandal at the order.
Fr Alvaro Corcuera wrote a letter to all Legion members in which he admitted he had heard – before he became superior in 2005 – that Rev Thomas Williams, a well-known American television personality, author and moral theologian, had a child.
He said he took Williams’ word that the rumours were false.
Corcuera said that after becoming superior in 2005, he confirmed Williams’ paternity yet did nothing to prevent him from teaching morality to seminarians or preaching about ethics on television, in his many speaking engagements or his 14 books.
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