VATICAN CITY
Vatican Radio
(Vatican Radio) The Extraordinary General Chapter of the Legionaries of Christ begins its working sessions on Thursday, under the guidance of the Pontifical Delegate to the Legion, Cardinal Velasio De Paolis. The Chapter has been called with a view to helping the Legion reform and renew itself in the wake of revelations regarding the double-life led by the congregation’s deceased founder, Fr. Marcial Maciel. Following a Vatican investigation into Fr Maciel’s life and conduct as founder and leader of the congregation, Pope Benedict XVI in 2006 stripped the priest of his leadership role and ordered him to a life of prayer and penitence.
Cardinal Paolis granted an interview to the Vatican Radio’s Director-General, Fr. Federico Lombardi, SJ. The purpose of the interview was to present the progress made during the three and a half years of Card. De Paolis’ term as Delegate, in order more fully to understand what went into preparations for the Chapter, what are its goals and what are the expectations for it.
Below, please find a translation of the full text of the interview, preceded by Fr Lombardi, SJ’s synopsis.
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The extraordinary Chapter of the Legionaries of Christ: a journey of profound renewal
Interview of Fr. F. Lombardi with the Papal Delegate, Cardinal Velasio de Paolis, on the preparation outlook for the Chapter
On the occasion of the opening of the Extraordinary Chapter of the Legionaries of Christ, Cardinal De Paolis, Pontifical Delegate, agreed to grant an in-depth interview to Fr. F. Lombardi for Vatican Radio. The purpose of the interview was to present the progress made during the three and a half years of the mandate of the Delegate and his team of collaborators, in order to understand fully what has been done to prepare for the Chapter, and what are its goals and expectations.
First of all Card. De Paolis says that his mandate had been preceded by the Apostolic Visitation, which had dealt with the story of the founder and ended with a severe judgment on his work (cf. Bulletin of the Holy See Press Office, 1-5-2010). The task of the Delegate, appointed by Pope Benedict XVI (cf. Bulletin 9.7.2010), was therefore rather to guide the renewal of the Legion of Christ, relying on genuine religious commitment of the majority of its members.
The renewal required mainly the revision of the Constitutions and changing the superiors, but to be deep and lasting it had to involve as many members of the Legion as possible in the various provinces and communities.
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