Communiqué regarding the former rector of the Pontifical International College Maria Mater Ecclesiae

ROME (ITALY)
Legionaries of Christ

October 6, 2017

[Note: Includes link to an English translation of Fr. Óscar Turrión’s letter.]

1. Given the publication of news regarding the former rector of the Pontifical International College Maria Mater Ecclesiae, Fr. Óscar Turrión, LC, we offer the following chronology of events. Fr. Óscar has written a personal letter in which he acknowledges the fact that he has
fathered children, apologizes, and requests prayers.

2. On March 27, 2017, Fr. Óscar Turrión informed the superiors that he had just had a
daughter and asked them to maintain confidentiality. Upon learning of this, his superiors
proceeded to ask the Holy See to appoint a new rector of the seminary, who began his term
in August.

3. For his part, Fr. Óscar asked permission to live for a time outside of community to reflect
and pray. His major superior granted this permission, according to the can. 665 of the Code
of Canon Law, with the restriction of not exercising public priestly ministry.

4. On October 5, 2017, Father Óscar Turrión acknowledged that he had had another child
with the same woman a few years ago. He also expressed his intention to leave priestly
ministry and to ask for the dispensation from the obligations contracted with ordination.

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