Pope urges Regnum Christi to
continue along path of renewal
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| A crucifix and a candle (Vatican Media) |
Pope Francis invites the Legionaries of Christ and Regnum
Christi members to continue along the path of discernment to reform the
Federation, in remarks prepared for an audience on Saturday.
By Devin Watkins
The Legionaries of Christ recently held their General
Chapter in Rome, as the wider Regnum Christi Federation held its General
Assemblies.
Pope Francis was scheduled to address the group on Saturday,
but had to cancel due to a “slight indisposition”. The Director of the Holy See
Press Office, Matteo Bruni, said the Pope did celebrate Mass and keep his
scheduled appointments in the Casa Santa Marta on Saturday morning.
Difficult past
In his prepared remarks which were read out to the group,
Pope Francis said the “criminal behavior” of Father Marcial Maciel Degollado
generated “a major institutional and personal crisis” within the Regnum Christi
Federation.
The Pope said Fr Maciel was certainly the historical founder
of the federation, but that he could in no way be looked to as an example of
holiness to imitate.
“He managed to make himself a point of reference, through an
illusion he created with his double life. In addition, his personalized
government had to some extent polluted the charism that the Spirit had
originally given to the Church. And this was reflected in the norms, as well as
in the exercise of governance, obedience, and way of life.”
New path forward
The Church, said Pope Francis, took action when this
situation was discovered, and amply showed her “maternal solicitude.”
He said the new Statutes and Constitution of the Regnum
Christi Federation “reflect a new spirit and vision of religious life in line
with the Second Vatican Council and the indications of the Holy See.”
“It was an event that brought about a true conversion of the
heart and the mind,” he said. “You opened yourselves courageously to the action
of the Holy Spirit, thus entering into a journey of true discernment.”
Based on discernment
Pope Francis acknowledged that the change “was not easy” but
that there is still much work of discernment to be done.
“The journey must continue, looking ahead and not backward.
You can look backward only to find confidence in God’s assistance, which has
never been lacking.”
So he urged the Regnum Christi Federation to continue the
struggle to renew itself, because “a return to the past would be dangerous and
without meaning.”
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