RHODE ISLAND
Digital Journal
By Greta McClain
Feb 17, 2013
Providence – The release of court documents involving a Roman Catholic organization is fueling speculation that Pope Benedict was forced to resign.
Prior to her death in 2008, wealthy Rhode Island widow, Garielle Mee, designated a Catholic order known as the Legion of Christ as the beneficiary of her $60 million fortune. Following Mee’s death, her niece, Mary Lou Dauray, filed a lawsuit challenging Mee’s will, claiming the Legion had defrauded Mee.
In September 2012, Judge Michael Silverstein of Rhode Island Superior Court said there was evidence that the Legion had “unduly persuaded” Mee to change her will so the Legion would be the beneficiary of the fortune. Silverstein also pointed to a detailed process used by the Legion to slowly take control of Mee’s finances. Despite the evidence, Silverstein dismissed the case against the Legion, saying Dauray had no legal standing in the case.
Rev. Marcial Maciel, founder of the Legion, was investigated by the Catholic Church for allegations of sexual abuse on several occasions. In 1997, nine men accused Maciel of sexual abuse, filing a formal complaint with the Vatican in 1998. The case was never investigated however, being shelved by the Sacred Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith which was led by then Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. Digital Journal reported that Ratzinger, who is now known as Pople Benedict XVI, was named head of the Congregation of Faith in November 1981. In that capacity, Ratzinger was in charge of overseeing all investigations into sexual abuse by Catholic clergy.
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