Theocratic Opus Dei's Rick Santorium

Rick Santorum once compared the Massachusetts' state supreme court's approval of gay marriage to 9/11, and in 2002, at the explosion of priest pedophilia, he went on the record to blame the rape of children in and around Boston on “cultural liberalism.” No, he never blamed Cardinal Bernard Law who openly confessed that he transferred 80 pedophile priests from one parish to another in Boston.  Rick Santorium was merely parroting Opus Dei’s blame game towards priest pedophilia, read Opus Dei’s reaction here http://jp2m.blogspot.com/2011/04/why-john-paul-ii-is-opus-deis-patron.html
Rick Santorum differs from New York’s Governor Cuomo who openly defied Benedict XVI Rule on gays, read our related article here Gov.Cuomo defies Rule of Benedict on GAYS. The “Vatican Titanic Ship” hits iceberg in New York http://pope-ratz.blogspot.ca/2011/07/govcuomo-defies-rule-of-benedict-on.html

The fact that Rick Santorium went Rome in 2002 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Opus Dei’s founding, and that he belongs to the St. Catherine of Siena Parish, "a favorite of Opus Dei" proves he is an Opus Dei militant.  And his language reflects what Opus Dei dictates to him and his blind obedience to them.  For those who refuse to believe that Opus Dei controls the US Senate, read our related article here http://popecrimes.blogspot.ca/2011/10/opus-dei-control-usa-subprime-court.html

Read our related articles

Opus Dei Swiss Guard in Boston -- Boston hosted former Swiss Guard’s seminar -based on the new “Vatican Trinity”.. Swiss Guards are the financial Navy Seals of the Vatican Bank http://popecrimes.blogspot.ca/2011/10/boston-to-host-former-swiss-guards.html

BOSTON Opus Dei-Swiss Guard seminar on Pope & CEO: WORLD DOMINATION AGENDA proof that Opus Dei controls the world's finances http://popecrimes.blogspot.ca/2011/10/opus-dei-seminar-on-pope-and-ceo-world.html

Victims in USA - Attackers - Responsible Leaders

Pearl Harbor - 3,000 victims - 170 planes - Admiral Yamamoto

WTC & 9/11 attacks - 3,000 victims - 19 Muslims - Osama bin Laden

JP2 Army - 15,736 victims - 6,000 pedophile priests - John Paul II & Benedict XVI & Opus Dei, the new Vatican Trinity

JP2 Army victims around the world http://jp2army.blogspot.com/

Amnesty International Report Vatican “Torture, Inhuman and Degrading Treatment” on tens of thousands of children sexually abused by priests in Ireland http://popecrimes.blogspot.com/2011/09/amnesty-international-report-vatican.html

The 4 cornerstones of the Vatican: Narcissism, dysfunction, disconnection, elitism http://popecrimes.blogspot.com/2011/09/nazi-gold-and-vatican-how-rome-saved.html

Ireland condemns Vatican secrecy on Cloyne Diocese pedophile priests. Ireland vis-à-vis USA: the way they deal with crimes by the Vatican http://popecrimes.blogspot.com/2011/07/ireland-government-condemns-vatican.html

Occupy The Vatican... like Occupy Wall Street http://popecrimes.blogspot.ca/2011/10/ows-otv-occupy-wall-street-occupy.html

Opus Dei the Vatican's own cult  http://popecrimes.blogspot.ca/2011/10/opus-dei-vaticans-own-cult.html

How Opus Dei influenced Santorum

http://news.yahoo.com/opus-dei-influenced-rick-santorum-201937160.html

By Elspeth Reeve | The Atlantic Wire – January 12, 2012
Rick Santorum sent two of his sons to a Washington, D.C. all-boys school affiliated with Opus Dei, the Catholic group whose members were portrayed as sinisterly weird in the sensationalistic Da Vinci Code but in reality only engage in some mild self-mutilation, "nothing traumatic," as the group's website says. Santorum says he's not a member of Opus Dei, though he did go to Rome in 2002 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of its founding, and he belongs to the St. Catherine of Siena Parish, "a favorite of Opus Dei," the Washington Post says. Opus Dei has about 90,000 members, a third of which are "numeraries" who are celibate for life and wear a cilice -- a garter belt with spikes turned toward the skin -- every day. (The group is often criticized as elitist, but you can find a "three link, 1mm gauge, full-leg metal cilice with metal fastener" on sale for an affordable $69.) It might seem unfair to criticize Santorum for his religious affiliations, but Santorum wouldn't think so. He convincingly argued it was okay in December 2007, after Mitt Romney delivered a speech on his Mormon faith. "[Romney's] supporters say it is akin to rejecting a Barack Obama because he is black," Santorum wrote for the Philadelphia Inquirer. "But Obama was born black; Romney is a Mormon because he accepts the beliefs of the Mormon faith. This permits us, therefore, to make inferences about his judgment and character, good or bad."

The New York Times' Mark Oppenheimer reports that many prominent conservative Catholics involved in politics send their kids to The Heights School, which is not run by Opus Dei, Oppenheimer reports. Instead, the group appoints "appoints the school chaplain and provides to the faculty a traditional reading of Catholicism to teach students." Sex ed is abstinence-only. That's a relief to many parents, Oppenheimer reports:

Linda Maher, the school’s director of communications, sent her three sons to The Heights. Where the mothers at her sons’ swim team practice “would put condoms in their sons’ Christmas stockings,” The Heights mothers were different.

Urban legends about the depravity of the secular world spread like viruses through a lot of religious communities. The spreaders are apparently so insulated from outsiders that they don't know that most secular people would find the idea of a mom giving her son condoms for Christmas to be extremely creepy. Some of that isolation is on display when Santorum says things that show a way of thinking pretty unfamiliar to most Americans. Example: On birth control: "lt's not okay. It's a license to do things in a sexual realm that is counter to how things are supposed to be." Another example, from Santorum's 2007 essay on Romney's religion:

Would the potential attraction to Mormonism by simply having a Mormon in the White House threaten traditional Christianity by leading more Americans to a church that some Christians believe misleadingly calls itself Christian, is an active missionary church, and a dangerous cult?

If that sounds a bit inflammatory, don't worry, Santorum explained that he's quite tolerant of Romney's faith. He writes, "I'm more concerned about losing our children to jihadis or a materialistic culture than losing them to Mormonism." It's not clear whether he meant to equate conspicuous consumption with terrorism, but he did once compare the Massachusetts' state supreme court's approval of gay marriage to 9/11.

Santorum blames victims: Voters take note

BOSTON (MA)
Boston Herald
By Rachelle G. Cohen
Friday, January 6, 2012
Let’s prepare an authentic New England welcome for the Republican Party’s latest heartthrob, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum.

Yes, welcome to the land where we never forget and we never, ever forgive.

We especially can never forgive the way he blamed this community and its often liberal political base for the sexual abuse too many of its children suffered at the hands of predatory priests. It was a dark day surely for the victims, for all of us who suffered with them, for those who turned away from their pain and for the Catholic church which continues to try to set things right.
This is what Santorum said back in 2002 at the height of the scandal, in Catholic On-Line:

“When the culture is sick, every element in it becomes infected. While there’s no excuse for this scandal, it is no surprise that Boston, a seat of academic, political and cultural liberalism in America, lies at the center of the storm.”

Holier-than-thou Rick’s got to go

BOSTON (MA)
Boston Herald
By Margery Eagan
Sunday, January 8, 2012

Yesterday morning, while Rick “Faith, Family, and Freedom” Santorum was preparing for another I’m-holier-than-you-are day in New Hampshire, I was sitting in a Cambridge Street Holiday Inn conference room. It was packed with survivors and advocates celebrating the 10th anniversary of the uncovering of Boston’s horrific Catholic Church sex abuse crisis.

Two times in a half hour the name Rick Santorum, the self-proclaimed uber Catholic, was mentioned. Two times he was politely and genteelly booed.

I loved it.
This was a mostly Catholic gathering. There were nuns, ex-nuns, ex-altar boys, and middle-aged and elderly people. And many in the crowd couldn’t stomach Santorum for one big reason. Just as the depths of this sex abuse deprivation were revealed, Rick Santorum, in 2002, went on the record to blame the rape of children in and around Boston on “cultural liberalism.” He’s never said he was wrong.

Think about that obnoxiousness before you vote, New Hampshire.

Let me add. The website BishopAccountability.org lists bishops and priests credibly accused of abuse, which means priests with multiple accusers or with cases settled by the church. More than 60 such priests were accused by hundreds and hundreds in New Hampshire.

Perhaps Rick Santorum blames New Hampshire’s “cultural liberalism” for those assaults, too, though liberal is hardly a word I’d use to describe the Granite State. It is not clear what he blames for priestly attacks on teenagers and children in Ireland, throughout Europe, parts of Africa, South America and most recently Haiti.

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Systemic abuse within Franciscan religious order: A compilation

St. Francis of Assisi's Prayer for Peace is misleading to children because it gives "holy" clouts to Franciscan priests and brothers garbed in brown angelic robes. 
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace
Where there is darkness let me sow light...

oh yeah?  What light?

St. Francis Prayer for Peace  is the Devil's prayer dressed as an angel.  Chidlren are better off to pray the JP2 Army Prayer:

JP2 Army with me, JP2 Army  before me, JP2 Army  behind me,

JP2 Army  in me, JP2 Army beneath me, JP2 Army  above me,

JP2 Army  on my right, JP2 Army  on my left,

JP2 Army  when I lie down, JP2 Army when I sit down, JP2 Army  when I arise...

Read more here  Eucharist feeds “dysfunction, disconnection, elitism...narcissism” of Benedict XVI, therefore, Ireland must not “invite” Pope to Eucharistic Congress  http://popecrimes.blogspot.ca/2011/12/eucharist-feeds-dysfunction.html

Read our latest articles:

Vatican attacks American nuns: A compilation. USA nuns live Gospel, serve the poor and sick...while Benedict XVI lives in luxury out-of-touch-with-reality in Vatican Bank Tower  http://popecrimes.blogspot.ca/2012/04/vatican-attacks-american-nuns.html

Hypocrite Benedict silenced Fr. Tony Flannery, Brian D'Arcy – A compilation… but he does not silence Cardinal Bernard Law and JP2 Army – John Paul II Pedophile Priests http://popecrimes.blogspot.ca/2012/04/hypocrite-benedict-silenced-outspoken.html

 

Confidential files...

Confidential files...
CALIFORNIA
Washington Post
Confidential files tell story of systemic abuse within Franciscan religious order
[Archive of Franciscan Sex Abuse in the Province of St. Barbara - BishopAccountability.org]
[with video]
By Associated Press,
LOS ANGELES — Robert Van Handel was a 15-year-old seminarian at St. Anthony’s, a prestigious Franciscan boarding school, when, he said, a priest slipped into the infirmary where he was recovering from a fever and began to molest him. The priest told him it would help draw the fever out.

More than a decade later, Van Handel himself was molesting children while working as a Franciscan priest at the same Santa Barbara boarding school. Van Handel formed a boys’ choir for local children and chose his victims from among its ranks for eight years.

Sexual abuse at a Santa Barbara, Calif. boarding school is detailed in more than 4,000 pages from the confidential files of nine Franciscan religious brothers who were accused of abuse.

The sexual abuse at St. Anthony’s, including Van Handel’s own account of his crimes, is included in more than 4,000 pages from the confidential files of nine Franciscan religious brothers who were accused of abuse. The internal files, coupled with an additional 4,000 pages of sworn testimony obtained by The Associated Press, are the largest release of a religious order’s files to date and paint one of the fullest pictures yet of a pervasive culture of abuse that affected generations of students at the seminary dedicated to training future Franciscans.

Roman Catholic Church Abuse Files Released In Unprecedented Move

CALIFORNIA
CBS Los Angeles
[with audio]
SANTA BARBARA (CBS) — Thousands of confidential religious files documenting sexual abuse among clergy members in the Roman Catholic church were made made public on Wednesday.

KNX 1070′s Margret Carrero reports the move marks the largest release of religious order documents in the history of the sexual abuse crisis.

The 8,500-page documents posted on BishopAccountability.org includes personnel files of nine Franciscan brothers and priests accused of abusing dozens of children over several decades at St. Anthony’s and the Old Mission in Santa Barbara.

An attorney for the Franciscans said the order was proactive in investigating abuse claims and that the files now made public were divulged to the plaintiffs much earlier.

Franciscan order's files tell systemic abuse story

CALIFORNIA
San Antonio Express-News
GILLIAN FLACCUS, Associated Press

Updated 02:50 p.m., Wednesday, May 23, 2012
LOS ANGELES (AP) — Robert Van Handel was a 15-year-old seminarian at St. Anthony's, a prestigious Franciscan boarding school, when, he said, a priest slipped into the infirmary where he was recovering from a fever and began to molest him. The priest told him it would help draw the fever out.

More than a decade later, Van Handel himself was molesting children while working as a Franciscan priest at the same Santa Barbara boarding school. Van Handel formed a boys' choir for local children and chose his victims from among its ranks for eight years.

The sexual abuse at St. Anthony's, including Van Handel's own account of his crimes, is included in more than 4,000 pages from the confidential files of nine Franciscan religious brothers who were accused of abuse. The internal files, coupled with an additional 4,000 pages of sworn testimony obtained by The Associated Press, are the largest release of a religious order's files to date and paint one of the fullest pictures yet of a pervasive culture of abuse that affected generations of students at the seminary dedicated to training future Franciscans.

The religious order settled for $28 million in 2006 with plaintiffs who alleged abuse by the nine Franciscans, but Van Handel and other defendants fought the release of their private files for six years in a legal battle that reached the California Supreme Court.

The files were obtained by The Associated Press from a plaintiff's attorney ahead of them being made public Wednesday.

The documents show how abuse in a religious order can be closely tied to the formation of children who grow up to become brothers and priests, said Terence McKiernan, founder and co-director of Bishop Accountability.org, which collects documents on clergy sex abuse and posted the Franciscan files online Wednesday.

In this photo taken Monday May 21, 2012, Paul Palecek, who was molested as a Franciscan seminary student back in the 1960's, poses in his home in Folsom, Calif., Palecek is one of two dozen former students who have accused the Rev. Mario Cimmarrusti of molestation while they attended St. Anthony's, a seminary boarding school for young boys who hoped to join the close-knit Catholic order. Photo: Rich Pedroncelli / AP

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/article/Franciscan-order-s-files-tell-systemic-abuse-story-3580466.php#ixzz1vjli1Cmt

Franciscan clergy sex-abuse case records released

CALIFORNIA
Los Angeles Times
May 23, 2012
Thousands of pages of previously confidential records related to Franciscan clergymen accused of child sexual abuse have been posted online, three years after a Los Angeles judge ordered the documents released.

Posted by Boston-based BishopAccountability.org, the records were produced by the Franciscan Friars of California as part of a 2006 settlement of civil litigation brought by 25 Santa Barbara abuse victims. The Roman Catholic order also paid $28 million to the victims.

The records include personnel files of nine admitted or confirmed molesters, all Franciscan priests and brothers, as well as transcripts of depositions of supervisors, sex abuse survivors and others, the organization said in a news release.

Much of the abuse occurred at St. Anthony's Seminary, which closed in 1987, and at Old Mission Santa Barbara. The abusers were accused in lawsuits of molesting children, mostly boys, from the 1950s until the early 1990s.

“This is a victory for all of the brave men and women — terribly abused as little boys and little girls — who have forced this historic disclosure,” Bob Eckert, one of the abuse victims and a party to the lawsuit that led to the records’ publication, said in the news

Files documenting claims of abuse by California Franciscans made public

LOS ANGELES (CA)
National Catholic Reporter
[Archive of Franciscan Sex Abuse in the Province of St. Barbara - BishopAccountability.org]
May. 24, 2012
By Catholic News Service
LOS ANGELES -- More than 8,500 pages of material detailing claims of sexual abuse by a group of Franciscan priests and brothers in California were made public Wednesday.

The release of the documents was one unfinished item of business from a 2006 court settlement that awarded $28 million, the vast majority of it from the St. Barbara Province of the Franciscan Friars and Brothers, to settle abuse claims from 25 plaintiffs.

The province, based in Oakland, used the proceeds from the sale of a closed seminary, where many of the incidents were alleged to have occurred, to help finance the settlement. The high school seminary closed in 1987.

As part of the settlement, the Franciscans agreed to let a judge review for possible public dissemination internal church documents as well as depositions in the litigation, showing how the order handled sexual abuse allegations among its clerics.

Files documenting claims of abuse by California Franciscans made public

LOS ANGELES (CA)
Georgia Bulletin
[Archive of Franciscan Sex Abuse in the Province of St. Barbara - BishopAccountability.org]
LOS ANGELES (CNS) -- More than 8,500 pages of material detailing claims of sexual abuse by a group of Franciscan priests and brothers in California were made public May 23. The release of the documents was one unfinished item of business from a 2006 court settlement that awarded $28 million, the vast majority of it from the St. Barbara Province of the Franciscan Friars and Brothers, to settle abuse claims from 25 plaintiffs. The province, based in Oakland, used the proceeds from the sale of a closed seminary, where many of the incidents were alleged to have occurred, to help finance the settlement. The high school seminary closed in 1987. As part of the settlement, the Franciscans agreed to let a judge review for possible public dissemination internal church documents as well as depositions in the litigation, showing how the order handled sexual abuse allegations among its clerics. None of the six priests and three brothers cited in the documents are in active ministry. Some are dead. Others are living at Franciscan residences and restricted from leaving the grounds unaccompanied. In the archive are personnel, psychological, confidential and laicization files, as well as witness depositions.

Archive of Franciscan Sex Abuse in the Province of St. Barbara

CALIFORNIA
BishopAccountability.org
Priest Files, Deposition
Transcripts and Exhibits
This page provides the entire archive – over 8,500 pages of priest files and other documents – obtained by survivors of sexual abuse committed by Franciscan priests and brothers, as stipulated in nonmonetary provisions of a May 25, 2006 settlement. This is by far the largest release of religious order documents in the history of the sexual abuse crisis.
Objections by the accused friars to release of their personnel and confidential files were rejected in a June 18, 2007 opinion by Judge Peter D. Lichtman, and he ruled on specific objections from the accused perpetrators and Franciscan officials in his April 2, 2009 order with detailed exhibits on the objections of the Franciscans, alleged perpetrators, and "bystanders," including Franciscan managers. His decisions were affirmed on September 10, 2010 by the California Court of Appeals, and on January 19, 2011, the California Supreme Court declined to review the appeals court decision, allowing the release of the documents to proceed.
Although the attempt to prevent the release of documents ultimately failed, the defendants did succeed in aggressively redacting the documents. The names of the provincial ministers and other managers on whose watch the abuse occurred have been redacted from the record. Moreover, redactions and claims of privilege have turned the priest files into a patchwork: complaints documented in the depositions of survivors are frequently not represented in the priest files as released. While names of managers have been redacted, their titles have not. We have compiled a staff list for the provincial office, schools, and houses that readers might find useful.
Despite these issues, the Franciscan Sex Abuse Archive is a major new source of information on the abuse of children by Franciscan priests and brothers, on the enabling of abuse by Franciscan provincial ministers and managers, and on the Franciscan culture within which the abuse of children has thrived for decades.
Below we provide: 1) the Archive of Franciscan Sex Abuse, with links to over 8,500 pages of priest files, depositions, and exhibits; and 2) Selected Documents.

California Franciscans’ abuse files released

CALIFORNIA
Catholic Culture
In what the Associated Press describes as “the largest release of a religious order's files to date,” over 8,000 pages of testimony and internal files have been made public related to abuse allegations against members of the Franciscan friars’ St. Barbara Province in California.
“One offender bringing kids in can set them up to be abused by another offender and those kids in turn grow up to become a member of the order and themselves begin abusing children," said Terence McKiernan, of BishopAccountability.org.

Detailed account of priest abuse allegations released

CALIFORNIA
The Orange County Register
By GREG HARDESTY / THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Thousands of pages of files on nine Roman Catholic priests who settled a high-profile clergy abuse lawsuits six years ago were made public Wednesday, providing a detailed look at accusations as well as instances when priests were allowed to interact with children despite their superiors knowing about the allegations.

Two of the former priests whose histories are detailed in the documents are Gus Krumm and Gary Pacheco, both defrocked Franciscan priests who served at Sts. Simon and Jude Catholic Church in Huntington Beach in separate assignments covering most years from the mid-1970s through the late 1990s.
Monsignor Michael Harris, former principal of both Mater Dei and Santa Margarita Catholic high schools, also turns up in the documents, in two previously sealed police reports.

Harris, the founding principal of Santa Margarita Catholic High School, was a defendant in a landmark lawsuit settled for $5.2 million in 2001 that marked the beginning of a national story involving the Roman Catholic Church and clergy sexual abuse.

A court ordered the release of the documents as part of a 2006 settlement between the Franciscan Friars of California and 25 clergy-abuse plaintiffs who sued Krumm, Pacheco and seven other friars.

More JP2 Legion of Christ Pedophile Priests: A compilation

The Vatican is investigating several Legion of Christ Pedophile Priests in the USA, below is a compilation of news articles that are rocking the conservative group founded by criminal Father Marcial Maciel, the left foot Achilles Heel of John Paul II.  Read Mexico mounts a worldwide campaign against the beatification of John Paul II, they should for they are the people of Our Lady of Guadalupe  http://jp2m.blogspot.ca/2011/01/mexico-mounts-worldwide-campaign.html
Theology and John Paul II are heartless and together they made the immoral Fr. Marcial Maciel thrive  http://jp2m.blogspot.ca/2010/05/theology-and-john-paul-ii-are-heartless.html
Heil Satanas JP2 Patron Saint of Pedophiles, Pederasts Rapists-Priests! John Paul II is the same yesterday and today-- he cannot protect children  http://jp2m.blogspot.ca/2011/05/heil-satanas-jp2-patron-saint-of.html
Hypocrite Benedict silenced Fr. Tony Flannery, Brian D'Arcy – A compilation… but he does not silence Cardinal Bernard Law and JP2 Army – John Paul II Pedophile Priests http://popecrimes.blogspot.ca/2012/04/hypocrite-benedict-silenced-outspoken.html

Vatican Legion reform in doubt with revelations

VATICAN CITY
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
By NICOLE WINFIELD
The Associated Press
VATICAN CITY — Pope Benedict XVI's ability to reform the troubled Legion of Christ has again been thrown into doubt following revelations that a half-dozen priests are under Vatican investigation for allegedly molesting children and that the order's leadership knew its most prominent priest had fathered a child yet did nothing to prevent him from teaching and preaching about morality.

The Vatican on Thursday expressed confidence in Benedict's delegate running the congregation but acknowledged that the process of reform is "certainly long and complex precisely because it aims to be profound." Vatican spokesman the Rev. Federico Lombardi rejected suggestions that the revelations proved that the reform process wasn't working and that the Legion was too flawed to be saved.

On the contrary, he told The Associated Press, the revelations showed that the Legion under papal delegate Cardinal Velasio De Paolis is doing the right thing by taking action once the revelations became known.

"Even the recent public communications about the Legion seem to be new and a positive sign of transparency," he said. "There is no reason then not to have confidence in the way Cardinal De Paolis is guiding this complex path of renewal."

The nightmare is not over yet for the Legion of Christ

ROME
Vatican Insider
The Legion needs to break away from an embarrassing past. Cardinal De Paolis is working hard to purify a body that has been tainted by some very serious misdoings
Giacomo Galeazzi
Vatican City
There is no peace in the Legion which the Pope has placed under the supervision of the Pontifical delegate, Cardinal Velasio De Paolis. The process of “purification” wanted by Benedict XVI is shedding light on further abuses, offences and betrayals on the part of the religious order which had become one of the pillars of the universal Church, particularly the Latin American one, during Karol Wojtyla’s pontificate.

“All the new things that are emerging are showing that this issue will not simply be resolved by the order severing its ties with its founder because other representatives of the Legion are guilty of the same offences,” a qualified source told Vatican Insider. “All remaining irregularities need to be removed in order to save the majority within the Legion of Christ which did not have double standards.”

For a long time now, the pact of steel between the Legion’s leaders and some elders of the Roman Curia has guaranteed “extensive moral exemption” which Joseph Ratzinger put an end to the minute he was elected Pope. However, the recovery process is far from over, as has been proven by the latest scandals which have broken out in the order. Seven Legionaries of Christ are being investigated by the former Holy Office and in at least one of the cases, it was found that the abuse was committed recently.

Finally, Vatican Investigates Legion Of Christ Sex Abuse Allegations

CONNECTICUT
The Hartford Courant
Editorial
At long last, the Roman Catholic Church is taking action to investigate allegations concerning priests from the Legion of Christ, whose U.S. headquarters is in Connecticut.
Although the Vatican assumed direct leadership of the scandal-plagued religious order two years ago, this is the first evidence that the church will actually do something about accusations that seven of its priests sexually abused minors.
The Legion (also known as Legionaries of Christ) runs a seminary in Cheshire. It has acknowledged that its founder, the Mexican-born Rev. Marcial Maciel Degollado, abused underage Legion seminary students over the years and fathered at least one child out of wedlock. But all along, despite complaints to the contrary, the order has insisted that any Legion-based crimes were isolated incidents committed by Father Maciel alone.
Now, to its credit, the Legion has referred the cases of seven priests accused of abusing minors to the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which investigates sex crimes.

Accusations of offenses committed by Legionaries reviewed by CDF

ROME
Legionaries of Christ
Over the past few years, in several countries, the major superiors of the Legion of Christ have received some allegations of gravely immoral acts and more serious offenses (delicta graviora) committed by some Legionaries.
The Legion of Christ is firmly committed to receive and examine all accusations presented, reaching out to possible victims and always safeguarding the rights of all those involved.
When a territorial director or the general director receives an allegation of this nature, or when there are well-founded suspicions, the civil laws of the country are observed. If civil authorities allow it, a preliminary internal investigation is also carried out for each case (cf. canon 1717 §1). In the U.S., when an allegation involves a minor, the policies established by Praesidium, Inc., an independent accreditation entity, are followed.

May 12, 2012

Vatican 'probes Legion of Christ priests over child abuse'

VATICAN CITY
BBC News
The Vatican is reported to be investigating seven priests of the Legion of Christ order in connection with allegations of child abuse.
In a statement to the AP news agency, the Mexican order said seven cases had been referred to the Vatican's department that deals with sex crimes.
The Legion of Christ's founder, Marcial Maciel, sexually abused many boys and young men over a period of 30 years.
He was disciplined by the Vatican in 2006 over the abuse.

José Murillo y casos de abuso sexual: “La Iglesia debe concentrarse en reparar a las víctimas”

CHILE
Bio Bio
Sábado 12 mayo 2012 | 9:35
Publicado por Alejandra Jara
Durante 2010 se conoció públicamente una de las denuncias que para muchos marcó un antes y un después en la Iglesia Católica. Tres reconocidos profesionales, provenientes del sector más acomodado de nuestro país, daban a conocer sus testimonios donde aseguraban haber sido víctimas de abuso sexual por parte del ex párroco de la Iglesia El Bosque, Fernando Karadima.

Tras cerca de dos años de investigación por la justicia civil, finalmente se sobreseyó al sacerdote, pero se comprobó que había cometido los delitos de abuso sexual por los que fue acusado.

Priests investigated over Legionaries' child sex abuse

VATICAN CITY
The Irish Times
PADDY AGNEW
The Holy See senior spokesman, Fr Federico Lombardi, last night confirmed media reports that cases of clerical child abuse in the disgraced, ultra-conservative Legionaries of Christ movement have been reported to the Vatican.
“The relevant superiors followed the norms in force, signalling to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) some cases that have come to light from several decades ago,” Fr Lombardi told reporters.
Vatican insiders say the CDF is investigating paedophilia accusations against seven Legionary priests. Founded in Mexico in 1941 by the late Marcial Maciel, the movement has been at the centre of bitter controversy in recent years after it was revealed that Fr Maciel had himself been a serial paedophile who had children by at least two women.

Vatican Inquiry Reflects Wider Focus on Legion of Christ

VATICAN CITY
The New York Times
By ELISABETTA POVOLEDO

Published: May 11, 2012
VATICAN CITY — The Legion of Christ, a powerful but troubled worldwide religious order whose late founder became enmeshed in a sex scandal years ago, said Friday that the Vatican was investigating seven Legion priests for alleged sexual abuse of minors.
The investigation cast a new shadow upon an order already struggling to move beyond revelations that its charismatic founder, the Rev. Marcial Maciel Degollado, had fathered several children and molested underage seminarians.
On Friday, the Legion said that after looking into “some allegations of gravely immoral acts and more serious offenses” committed by some Legionaries, internal preliminary investigations “concluded that seven had a semblance of truth.” Those cases were forwarded to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, the Vatican office that handles investigations of sexual abuse, the Legion said in a statement.
The Vatican confirmed that the Congregation was investigating “cases of abuse” carried out by Legionaries but did not address the allegations. The inquiry was first reported by The Associated Press.

Vatican Opens Investigation Into Legion of Christ Priests

VATICAN CITY
The Wall Street Journal
By STACY MEICHTRY
ROME—The Vatican has launched an investigation into whether seven priests in the Legion of Christ sexually abused minors, the Vatican and the Legion said on Friday, opening a new chapter in the prominent religious order's struggle to recover from a scandal that disgraced its founder.
The Legion, an order of priests founded in Mexico in 1941, said in a statement that it had reported the cases of alleged abuse to the Vatican's watchdog, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, after a preliminary investigation by the order concluded that the allegations had "a semblance of truth." One of the cases involved alleged abuse that occurred recently while the other cases involved alleged abuse from decades ago, the Legion said.

The Legion said other priests in the order—in addition to the seven under investigation by the Vatican—had faced allegations of sexual abuse. Investigations by church officials and, in some cases, civil authorities cleared those clerics of wrongdoing, the Legion said.
Vatican spokesman Rev. Federico Lombardi confirmed an investigation was under way, adding that the Legion had complied with Holy See rules requiring church officials to report credible allegations of abuse to the Vatican and to restrict the ministry of the priests involved.

Vatican opens investigation into 7 Legion priests, SNAP responds

UNITED STATES
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
Posted by Barbara Dorris on May 11, 2012
For months or years, Catholic officials have put kids at risk by staying silent about these credible allegations of heinous crimes. Each of them should have been publicly announced the moment they were deemed credible. And in each case, high ranking church officials should have publicly begged anyone who saw, suspected or suffered these clerics' crimes to call police and get help.
Instead, for their own callous, selfish reasons, Catholic authorities - perhaps dozens of them - said nothing. Their silence and inaction gave each of these predators even more time to destroy evidence, fabricate alibis, intimidate victims, threaten witnesses, discredit whistleblowers and even flee to other nations.

Shame on every Catholic Church employee or member who knew or suspected these crimes and chose self-serving, comfortable silence over their duty to protect the vulnerable.

And given the Legion's long, alarming track record with children's safety, we frankly do not believe these child molesting clerics are being kept away from kids.

Vatican investigates seven cases of priest abuse

VATICAN CITY
AFP
VATICAN CITY — The ultra-conservative Legion of Christ movement on Friday said it had reported seven suspected cases of child abuse by its priests to the Vatican for investigation under new anti-abuse rules.
Six of the cases "are from decades ago" and one "refers to recent events," the movement said in a statement, adding that it had taken precautions such as "restricting the priestly ministry of the accused" to protect children.
The Legion did not give further details about the cases but said it had received allegations about abuse "in several countries" and that internal preliminary investigations found that seven "had a semblance of truth."
Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said: "The relevant superiors (of the movement) followed the norms in force, signalling to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith some cases that have come to light from decades ago."

Legion of Christ confirms Vatican probe into sexual abuse allegations

VATICAN CITY
RTE News
The Vatican is investigating seven priests from the Legion of Christ religious order for alleged sexual abuse of minors and another two for other alleged crimes.

In a statement, the Legion confirmed it had referred seven cases of alleged abuse to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

All but one of the seven cases involves alleged abuse dating from decades ago; one case involves recent events, the Legion said.
A preliminary investigation cleared two other priests accused of abuse, the order said.

Catholic Church Sexual Abuse Scandal: Vatican Investigates 7 Legion Of Christ Priests For Allegedly Assaulting Minors

VATICAN CITY
Huffington Post
By NICOLE WINFIELD 05/11/12
VATICAN CITY — The Vatican is investigating seven priests from the troubled Legion of Christ religious order for alleged sexual abuse of minors and another two for other alleged crimes, The Associated Press has learned.
The investigations mark the first known Vatican action against Legion priests for alleged sexual assault following the scandal of the Legion's founder, who was long held up as a model by the Vatican despite credible accusations – later proven – that he raped and molested his seminarians.
The Legion, which is now under Vatican receivership, has insisted that the crimes of its late founder, the Rev. Marciel Maciel, were his alone.
But the Vatican investigation of other Legion priests indicates that the same culture of secrecy that Maciel created within the order to cover his crimes enabled other priests to abuse children – just as abusive clergy of other religious orders and dioceses have done around the world.

Vatican 'Investigating Legion Of Christ Priests For Alleged Child Sex Abuse'

VATICAN CITY
Huffington Post UK
Huffington Post UK | By Felicity Morse
Seven priests from the secretive Catholic religious order the Legion Of Christ are being investigated by the Vatican over claims of child sex abuse, the Associated Press has reported.
Two other priests from the conservative order are also being investigated for other alleged crimes, according to the news agency, after the Legion issued a statement to AP.
The Legion of Christ has already been forced to cope with a wave of scandal after it was proved that the order's late founder, Reverend Marcial Maciel Degollado, had abused and raped students of the Legion.
In the wake of the revelations, the Vatican insisted that the crimes of Degollado, who was also a close ally of Pope John Paul II, had been his alone, and the Legion was to continue under their leadership.

Vatican 'Launches Child Sex Investigation'

VATICAN CITY
Eagle Radio (United Kingdom)
The Vatican is investigating seven priests from the troubled Legion of Christ religious order for alleged sexual abuse of minors, according to the Associated Press news agency.
All but one case involves alleged abuse dating from decades ago, the Legion said.
Two other priests are also under investigation for alleged sacramental violations, believed to involve using spiritual direction to have inappropriate relations with women.
It is the first time the Vatican is known to have taken action against Legion priests for alleged sexual assault following the scandal of the order's founder.

Vatican 'Launches Child Sex Investigation'

VATICAN CITY
Sky News (United Kingdom)
The Vatican is investigating seven priests from the troubled Legion of Christ religious order for alleged sexual abuse of minors, according to the Associated Press news agency.

All but one case involves alleged abuse dating from decades ago, the Legion said.
Two other priests are also under investigation for alleged sacramental violations, believed to involve using spiritual direction to have inappropriate relations with women.
It is the first time the Vatican is known to have taken action against Legion priests for alleged sexual assault following the scandal of the order's founder.
The church had previously insisted the crimes of the late Reverend Marcial Maciel were his alone.

AP: Vatican eyes Legion priests on abuse

VATICAN CITY
Poughkeepsie Journal
VATICAN CITY — The Vatican is investigating seven priests from the troubled Legion of Christ religious order for alleged sexual abuse of minors and another two for other alleged crimes, The Associated Press has learned.
The investigations mark the first known Vatican action against Legion priests for alleged sexual assault following the scandal of the Legion's founder, who was long held up as a model by the Vatican despite credible accusations — later proven — that he raped and molested his seminarians.
The Legion, which is now under Vatican receivership, has insisted that the crimes of its late founder, the Rev. Marciel Maciel, were his alone.
But the Vatican investigation of other Legion priests indicates that the same culture of secrecy that Maciel created within the order to cover his crimes enabled other priests to abuse children — just as abusive clergy of other religious orders and dioceses have done around the world.

Famous LC priest fathered a child. Fr. Thomas Williams, prominent Legion of Christ priest, TV personality and best seller author fathered a child ! VIDEO

Tall, Holy white and Handsome famous Legion of Christ priest Fr. Thomas Williams just revealed that he has fathered a child and that he will take some time a year off public ministry “to reflect on my commitments as a priest...” No, not really, it’s to hide  in seclusion while the media tracks down his child and mistress who will now become famous like Arnold Schwarzenegger and his son born from Maria Shriver’s  long-time maid.   The higher they are the harder they fall and now Fr. Williams will join the rank and file of the Legion of Christ’s criminal head Fr. Marcial Maciel in the on-going saga of “scandal in the family” of the Vatican Titanic sinking in moral bankruptcy.    Ratzinger Benedict XVI is the criminal head of the Mystical Body of Christ, read more here http://popecrimes.blogspot.ca/2012/03/benedict-ratzinger-marcial-maciel-are-2.html.  Fr. Thomas Williams wrote the book  Greater Than You Think: A Theologian Answers the Atheists About God  to counter attack the atheists best seller books God Delusion and God is Not Great.  Watch interview about his book below.   It was easier for him to go around combating atheists than his own carnal lust covered-up by the priestly black suit and a white collar.  Just like it was easier for John Paul II to go trotting the globe and promote criminal Cardinal Bernard Law to Rome rather than fight the 80 pedophile priests of Boston and the thousands of pedophile priests during his reign of 27 years as pope, hence they are aptly called JP2 Army - John Paul II Pedophile Priests Army.  Blessed John Paul II is the BIGGEST LIE of the Vatican and the biggest Opus Dei Golden Cow that children should never pray to, read more here http://jp2m.blogspot.ca/2011/05/heil-satanas-jp2-patron-saint-of.html  Fr. Thomas Williams of course covered his funeral and Benedict XVI's election.  He is the Legion of Christ priest closest to the Pope as it can get...and he fathered a child!

During this TV interview (see video http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&feature=endscreen&v=kvS-zY8xZJg ) he already had his child born out of wedlock.   Fr. Thomas Williams is the poster boy of all priests who have fathered a child and there are thousands of them especially in Third World countries and we shall see how the wealthy Vatican handles his case and how they’ll ignore completely his mistress and his child forbidding them visitation rights and financial support so that Fr. Williams can go on his eternal priestly duties of reincarnating Christ into little pieces of meat in the Daily Eucharist.   He said that he will “reflect on his commitment as a priest” – but what about his commitment to the child he has brought into this world (read his statement below).  The hypocrisy of the Vatican in fighting abortion  and defending the invisible unborn or the invisible dead in the Vatican saint-factory is reflected in priests who are literally “aborting” (ignoring) their own biological children who are alive.   Fr. Willaims is "an American Moral Theologian living in Rome. He teaches Ethics and Catholic Social Doctrine" -- what a total hypocrite when he has no morals himself. 

Like Holy Father like Holy Sons

Fr. Thomas Williams is a " holy son" just like his "Holy Fathers" Fr. Marcial Maciel and Benedict XVI who are prolific writers but they are both criminals, read more here http://popecrimes.blogspot.ca/2012/03/benedict-ratzinger-marcial-maciel-are-2.html

All Legion of Christ have 2 Holy Fathers like the Opus Dei, their founder Josemaria Escriva and John Paul II, GAY “Holy” parents , read more here http://jp2m.blogspot.ca/2007/06/on-lot-mr-john-paul-ii-and-mrs_09.html. 

Fr. Marciel Maciel, fathered three children and sexually abused one of them and  his young seminarians – with the blessings of John Paul II.  Maciel died in 2008 and in 2009 the Legion admitted to his crimes.  It isn’t easy for the Vatican to dissolve the Legion of Christ because the LC is one of the main co-owner of the Vatican Bank with more than 50 Billion dollars (or more) personally given by Fr. Marcial Maciel -- from fooling wealthy despots a real estate of Heaven if donated to his castle-in-the-sand Legion of Christ, read our related articles below.  So the victims of Maciel have a long fight in their hands to try to see the end of the Legion of Christ because  the Vatican Titanic is ruled by Mammon, not Christ.  Christ is only used as a password for the Vatican and the Pope to commit more crimes and oppress the poor and perpetuate the rape of women and children in poor countries. 

The reason why Cardinal Ratiznger silenced the Liberation Theologians is because their persona of Christ would have liberated the poor from their poverty and caused the greatest non-violent revolution since Gandhi by awakening the poor of their God-given rights to their lands, but of course, the Vatican Titanic cavort with despots and their ill-gotten wealth and the Vatican would have depleted their main source of income if the poor toppled down their despots.  That is why John Paul II traveled around the world and have his photos taken with dictators and thieves like Marcos and Pinochet wooing their billions into the Vatican Bank.  When Jon Sobrino wrote that John Paul II only used the poor as backdrop for his Papal Mass in El Salvador, Cardinal Ratzinger condemned his book in the pretext that Christ the Liberator is not the Vatican’s Jesus Christ, read more here Jon Sobrino http://pope-ratz.blogspot.ca/2008/02/benedict-xvi-delusion-of-jesuits-at.html

In this TV interview promoting his anti-atheist book, Fr. Williams said that Benedict XVI has already “done everything possible” to solve the clergy sexual abuse on children, yeah right - who is he kidding?obviously he is another Vatican Pied Piper worshipping the Opus Dei Golden Cow Benedict XVI and downplaying the B16 Army – Benedict XVI Pedophile Priests Army named  aptly for he covered-up all pedophile priests  during 27 years in the longest reigning papacy of Opus Dei Golden Cow John Paul II, read more here http://jp2army.blogspot.ca/

Fr. Thomas Williams famous works

Father Thomas D. Williams, LC, ThD, is an American Moral Theologian living in Rome. He teaches Ethics and Catholic Social Doctrine at the Regina Apostolorum Pontifical Athenaeum, and has served as Vatican Analyst for NBC News, CBS News, and Sky News in the UK. This biography was provided by the author or their representative.

His works are impressive: Thomas D. Williams, LC, ThD, is Vatican Analyst for CBS News and a professor of theology at the Regina Apostolorum Pontifical University in Rome. He has also worked extensively for NBC News and Britain's Sky News, covering church and ethical issues, including the final illness and death of Pope John Paul II, the 2005 papal conclave, and the election of Pope Benedict XVI. Father Williams also regularly appeared in the MSNBC series The Ethical Edge and is author of several books and dozens of articles, both scholarly and popular.

Read our related articles:

Mexico mounts a worldwide campaign against the beatification of John Paul II, they should for they are the people of Our Lady of Guadalupe  http://jp2m.blogspot.ca/2011/01/mexico-mounts-worldwide-campaign.html

Latin is not a mother tongue and therefore cannot be the “official language” of the Vatican. Why must the Vatican Bank be above all banks?  http://pope-ratz.blogspot.ca/2010/10/latin-is-not-mother-tongue-and.html

Clericalism: Benedict XVI ask us to "love priests in spite of their weaknesses" -- meaning put priests above the laity and above the law http://pope-ratz.blogspot.ca/2010/07/baloney-benedict-xvi-you-ask-us-to-love.html

Penance is not justice; penitence is inequality to the lifetime suffering of victims of the John Paul II Pedophile Priests Army http://pope-ratz.blogspot.ca/2010/04/penance-is-not-justice-penitence-is.html

Eve and Benedict XVI blame the Devil. Analysis of Pope’s homily in Year for Priests -sorcerers of Christ’s flesh and blood  http://pope-ratz.blogspot.ca/2010/06/eve-and-benedict-xvi-blame-devil.html

The « 'reverence' for priests » harbours and perpetuates priest pedophilia. 9 Apostolic Visitors to Ireland to re-enforce (fairy tale) Holy Communion  http://pope-ratz.blogspot.ca/2010/06/reverence-for-priests-harbours-and.html

Benedict XVI’s Consecration to Mary cannot protect children from pedophile priests http://pope-ratz.blogspot.com/2010/05/benedict-xvis-consecration-to-mary.html

Sins and crimes are not synonymous. Sinners and criminals are not one and the same http://pope-ratz.blogspot.com/2010/05/sins-and-crimes-are-not-synonymous.html

From Fatima, Jacinta would throw the first stone at John Paul II Pedophile Priests Army‏ to defend her little brothers and sisters http://jp2m.blogspot.com/2010/04/from-fatima-jacinta-would-throw-first.html

John Allen promotes monarchy of Catholicism. As Vatican Pied Piper he announces ‘Meet the new Crown Prince of Catholicism’  http://popecrimes.blogspot.ca/2011/07/john-allen-promotes-monarchy-of.html

Vatican Swiss Banks purposes are hiding and trading the proceeds of crimes 1934 to present day http://popecrimes.blogspot.ca/2011/06/vatican-swiss-banks-purposes-are-hiding.html

John Paul and his crime syndicate: Part I, Fr. Maciel  http://popecrimes.blogspot.ca/2011/03/john-paul-and-his-crime-syndicate-part.html

INTEGER & Vatican Swiss Banks accounts: Fr. Marcial Maciel and the Legion of Christ secret Vatican wealth  http://popecrimes.blogspot.ca/2011/03/integer-vatican-swiss-banks-accounts-fr.html

The Vatican Billions and their sources: Holy Mass Tourism for Each Generation. Miracles, Portents and Wonder for Sale http://popecrimes.blogspot.ca/2011/03/vatican-billions-holy-mass-tourism-for.html

The Hague: Full text Criminal Charges against Dr. Joseph Ratzinger, Pope of the Roman Catholic Church  http://popecrimes.blogspot.ca/2011/05/full-text-of-criminal-charges-against.html

Is the Vatican a state or country? It is only one building and one public square but it is a country like the vast USA, Russia, China???  http://popecrimes.blogspot.ca/2011/05/is-vatican-state-or-country-it-is-only.html

Theology and John Paul II are heartless and together they made the immoral Fr. Marcial Maciel thrive  http://jp2m.blogspot.ca/2010/05/theology-and-john-paul-ii-are-heartless.html

Zenit.org should shut down – it’s operated by the Legion of Christ whose founder, Fr. Marcial Maciel is member of John Paul II Pedophile Priests Army http://jp2m.blogspot.ca/2010/03/zenitorg-should-shut-down-its-operated.html

Heil Satanas JP2 Patron Saint of Pedophiles, Pederasts Rapists-Priests! John Paul II is the same yesterday and today-- he cannot protect children  http://jp2m.blogspot.ca/2011/05/heil-satanas-jp2-patron-saint-of.html

Top Vatican official kept silent for months about Legion predator

VATICAN CITY
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests

Posted by Barbara Blaine on May 16, 2012

Reuters is reporting that a top Vatican official has kept silent for months about a high profile Catholic priest’s fathering a child.

Will Catholic officials ever start being more honest and prompt about clergy sex crimes and misdeeds?

The Vatican official is Spanish Cardinal Velasio De Paolis, who was appointed two years ago by Pope Benedict to oversee the Legion of Christ. Yesterday, the Legion’s most prominent priest, Fr. Thomas D. Williams, admitted he had an “affair” and fathered a child which neither he nor his Legion supervisors are financially supporting.

It's important to remember that Fr. Williams is also accused of having inappropriate sexual contact with

--college students in Rome, and

--the daughter of a prominent US Catholic figure.

Note to all North American Legionaries and Consecrated from Territorial Director Fr Luis Garza, LC

ROME
Legionaries of Christ
To all Legionaries and Regnum Christi consecrated members,
It is with sadness that I send you this note, especially at a time when we are experiencing renewed enthusiasm for our mission within the Church. The last thing I would wish is to add a fresh wound when older wounds may not have healed fully.
Nevertheless, it is my duty to inform you that Father Thomas Williams, LC, after consultation with his superiors, will undergo a period of reflection, prayer and atonement without public ministry, and has just issued the following statement:
“A number of years ago I had a relationship with a woman and fathered her child. I am deeply sorry for this grave transgression and have tried to make amends. My superiors and I have decided it would be best for me to take a year without active public ministry to reflect on the wrong I have done and my commitments as a priest. I am truly sorry to everyone who is hurt by this revelation, and I ask for your prayers as I seek guidance on how to make up for my errors.”
I know that this will be shocking news to you. In the wake of all that we have been through as a Movement in the past several years, it won’t surprise me if you are disappointed, angry or feel your trust shaken once again.

 

Scandal-plagued Catholic order rocked by priest's affair

VATICAN CITY
7 News (Australia)
Philip Pullella, Reuters
May 16, 2012,
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - The scandal-plagued Legionaries of Christ Roman Catholic religious order suffered another major blow to its image on Tuesday when one of its most prominent members admitted to having fathered a child.
Father Thomas Williams said in a statement he was "truly sorry to everyone who is hurt by this revelation".
Williams, the American author of more than a dozen books on spirituality and dean of moral theology at a papal university in Rome, often appeared on American television to explain Vatican affairs and Catholic teachings.
The Legionaries have been at the centre of controversy since 2009 when they admitted their charismatic Mexican founder, Father Marcial Maciel, had led a double life, secretly fathering children, using drugs and misusing donations.

Neuer Skandal bei den Legionären Christi

ROME
RP - Online
Rom (RPO). Ein neuer Skandal um ihren bekanntesten Vertreter erschüttert die Legionäre Christi. Thomas Williams, das öffentliche Gesicht der katholischen Ordensgemeinschaft, gestand am Dienstag ein, vor Jahren ein Kind gezeugt zu haben.
Ein prominenter US-amerikanischer Priester der "Legionäre Christi" hat eingeräumt, Vater eines Kindes zu sein. Der als geistlicher Autor und TV-Kommentator bekannte Thomas Williams gab bekannt, er habe "vor einigen Jahren ein Verhältnis mit einer Frau gehabt", aus dem auch ein Kind hervorgegangen sei. Williams bitte um Entschuldigung für sein mit dem Priesteramt unvereinbares Verhalten. Er wolle sich jetzt für die weitere Zukunft orientieren, heißt es in einer Mitteilung der Mitteleuropäischen Ordensprovinz der Legionäre in Düsseldorf.

Good looking priest 'Father What A Waste' admits to having affair and fathering a child

UNITED STATES
Irish Independent
A PRIEST whose movie star good looks landed him frequent appearances on US TV, has admitted to fathering a child.
Father Thomas Williams who was described by US TV anchor woman Katie Couric as ‘Father What-A-Waste’ is well known for his frequent appearances on US TV, where he talks of theological and ecumenical matters.
Father Williams, who is a Dean of Papal Morality at a university in the Vatican, has admitted to having an affair with a woman who gave birth to his child some years ago. It is unknown if he is supporting or in touch with the child.
In a statement Williams admitted: “A number of years ago I had a relationship with a woman and fathered her child. I am deeply sorry for this transgression and have tried to make amends.”

Popular Priest Fathered Child and Says He’ll Step Aside

UNITED STATES
The New York Times
By LAURIE GOODSTEIN

Published: May 15, 2012
A telegenic American priest, widely known for his media commentary from Rome on popes, prayer and personal morality, has publicly acknowledged having an affair and fathering a child — the latest jolt to hit his scandal-torn religious order, the Legionaries of Christ.
The priest, the Rev. Thomas D. Williams, apologized in a statement on Tuesday “for this grave transgression” and “to everyone who is hurt by this revelation.” He said he would take a year off from public ministry to reflect on his transgressions and his “commitments as a priest” — a decision he said he made with his superiors.
Father Williams was the most visible American member of the Legionaries, a powerful and conservative Roman Catholic religious order that has been in turmoil since 2006, when its charismatic founder was banished by the Vatican to a life of prayer and penance.
The order’s founder, a Mexican priest named Marciel Maciel Degollado, died in 2008 amid revelations that he had sexually abused young seminarians, misappropriated money and fathered several children, some of whom say they were also victims of his sexual abuse. Only last Friday, the Legion acknowledged that seven of its priests are being investigated by the Vatican in connection with the sexual abuse of minors.

CORRECTED:EXCLUSIVE-Order knew for months about priest scandal-Vatican official

VATICAN CITY
Chicago Tribune
Reuters

2:45 p.m. CDT, May 16, 2012
* Corrects that cardinal is Italian, not Spanish, in para 4
By Philip Pullella
VATICAN CITY, May 16 (Reuters) - Leaders of the scandal-plagued Legionaries of Christ religious order knew that their most famous priest had fathered a child for many months
before they acknowledged it this week, a top Vatican official told Reuters on Wednesday.
The once influential religious order, still in crisis following revelations that its founder was a sexual abuser with two secret families, suffered another major blow on Tuesday when
American Father Thomas Williams admitted to having fathered a child with a woman in Rome.
The question left hanging was how long the order's leaders knew about Williams's secret life and why they continued to let him preach, teach and appear on television around the world,
particularly in the United States.

Exclusive: Order knew for months about priest scandal: Vatican official

VATICAN CITY
Chicago Tribune
Philip Pullella
Reuters

7:02 a.m. CDT, May 16, 2012
VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Leaders of the scandal-plagued Legionaries of Christ religious order knew that their most famous priest had fathered a child for many months before they acknowledged it this week, a top Vatican official told Reuters on Wednesday.
The once influential religious order, still in crisis following revelations that its founder was a sexual abuser with two secret families, suffered another major blow on Tuesday when American Father Thomas Williams admitted to having fathered a child with a woman in Rome.
The question left hanging was how long the order's leaders knew about Williams's secret life and why they continued to let him preach, teach and appear on television around the world, particularly in the United States.
"I found out about it this year," Spanish Cardinal Velasio De Paolis, who was appointed by Pope Benedict in July, 2010 to oversee the restructuring of the order, told Reuters in a telephone conversation from his home.

Legion of Christ Rocked by More Sex Charges

UNITED STATES
KGO
(NEW YORK) -- A prominent American priest in the Legion of Christ, a troubled Catholic order whose founder was denounced by the Vatican for sexual improprieties, has admitted having a sexual relationship with a woman and fathering her child.
Father Thomas Williams, who has appeared on CBS and NBC and was interviewed by ABC News for a 2010 report on the Legion, made the acknowledgement after an activist who had sought reform in the order contacted the Vatican with his suspicions.
"I am truly sorry to everyone who is hurt by this revelation," said Williams in a statement. He said that he would be taking a year's leave from his public duties "to reflect on my commitments as a priest."
According to the National Catholic Reporter, the Legion has confirmed that seven other priests are now being investigated for the alleged abuse of minors. The Legion has more than 800 priests.

Prominent Legion priest admits fathering child, issues apology

ROME
Catholic News Agency
By David Kerr
Rome, Italy, May 15, 2012 / 12:58 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Father Thomas Williams, one of the most high-profile American members of the Legion of Christ, is leaving public ministry after admitting he fathered a child.
“A number of years ago I had a relationship with a woman and fathered her child. I am deeply sorry for this grave transgression and have tried to make amends,” Fr. Williams said in a May 15 statement.
“My superiors and I have decided it would be best for me to take a year without active public ministry to reflect on the wrong I have done and my commitments as a priest. I am truly sorry to everyone who is hurt by this revelation, and I ask for your prayers as I seek guidance on how to make up for my errors.”
He also apologized to members of the Legion and the Church, “since this scandalous news will damage them as well, at the worst possible moment.”

Legion scandal deepens with admission by prominent US priest that he fathered child

VATICAN CITY
Newser
By NICOLE WINFIELD | Associated Press
The Legion of Christ religious order was hit Tuesday by its second scandal in a week after its most well-known priest _ a prominent author, lecturer and television personality _ admitted he had fathered a child.
The Rev. Thomas Williams, an American moral theologian, said in a statement he was "deeply sorry for this grave transgression" against his vows of celibacy and that he would be taking a year off to reflect on what he had done and his commitment to the priesthood.
The statement was issued after The Associated Press presented the Legion with the allegation against Williams, which was lodged by a Spanish association of Legion victims. The association's accusations, sent to the Legion and Vatican several weeks ago, also named other Legion priests accused of sexually abusing minors.
Williams, who was not accused of abuse, said that "a number of years ago" he had a relationship with a woman and fathered her child. He didn't identify the mother and didn't say whether the relationship was over. He also did not identify the gender of the child nor say if he was involved in supporting the child.
The Legion has been beset by scandal following revelations that its late founder, the Rev. Marciel Maciel, fathered three children and sexually abused his seminarians. Maciel died in 2008 and in 2009 the Legion admitted to his crimes.

Legion of Christ ...

VATICAN CITY
Washington Post
Legion of Christ hit by second scandal in a week, prominent priest admits he fathered a child
By Associated Press,
VATICAN CITY — Legion of Christ hit by second scandal in a week, prominent priest admits he fathered a child.

Good looking priest 'Father What A Waste' admits to having affair and fathering a child

UNITED STATES
Irish Independent
A PRIEST whose movie star good looks landed him frequent appearances on US TV, has admitted to fathering a child.
Father Thomas Williams who was described by US TV anchor woman Katie Couric as ‘Father What-A-Waste’ is well known for his frequent appearances on US TV, where he talks of theological and ecumenical matters.
Father Williams, who is a Dean of Papal Morality at a university in the Vatican, has admitted to having an affair with a woman who gave birth to his child some years ago. It is unknown if he is supporting or in touch with the child.
In a statement Williams admitted: “A number of years ago I had a relationship with a woman and fathered her child. I am deeply sorry for this transgression and have tried to make amends.”

Scandal-plagued Catholic order rocked by priest's affair

VATICAN CITY

7 News (Australia)

Philip Pullella, Reuters
May 16, 2012,

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - The scandal-plagued Legionaries of Christ Roman Catholic religious order suffered another major blow to its image on Tuesday when one of its most prominent members admitted to having fathered a child.

Father Thomas Williams said in a statement he was "truly sorry to everyone who is hurt by this revelation".

Williams, the American author of more than a dozen books on spirituality and dean of moral theology at a papal university in Rome, often appeared on American television to explain Vatican affairs and Catholic teachings.

The Legionaries have been at the centre of controversy since 2009 when they admitted their charismatic Mexican founder, Father Marcial Maciel, had led a double life, secretly fathering children, using drugs and misusing donations.

  

Hypocrite Benedict silenced Fr. Tony Flannery, Brian D'Arcy – A compilation… but he does not silence Cardinal Bernard Law and JP2 Army – John Paul II Pedophile Priests  http://popecrimes.blogspot.ca/2012/04/hypocrite-benedict-silenced-outspoken.html

Goliath-bully Bill Donohue attacks David & SNAP & JP2 Army victims: A compilation. Being Anti-Catholic is necessary for justice, protection of children, women, the poor  http://popecrimes.blogspot.ca/2012/03/goliath-bully-bill-donohue-attacks.html

Benedict XVI must first be tried at The Hague and face true justice, or else, Gregorian Conference is only a PR campaign and more Vatican deceptions http://popecrimes.blogspot.ca/2012/02/benedict-xvi-must-first-be-tried-at.html

Vatican attacks American nuns: A compilation. USA nuns live Gospel, serve the poor and sick...while Benedict XVI lives in luxury out-of-touch-with-reality in Vatican Bank Tower  http://popecrimes.blogspot.ca/2012/04/vatican-attacks-american-nuns.html

Legion scandal deepens with admission by prominent US priest that he fathered child

VATICAN CITY

Newser

By NICOLE WINFIELD | Associated Press

The Legion of Christ religious order was hit Tuesday by its second scandal in a week after its most well-known priest _ a prominent author, lecturer and television personality _ admitted he had fathered a child.

The Rev. Thomas Williams, an American moral theologian, said in a statement he was "deeply sorry for this grave transgression" against his vows of celibacy and that he would be taking a year off to reflect on what he had done and his commitment to the priesthood.

The statement was issued after The Associated Press presented the Legion with the allegation against Williams, which was lodged by a Spanish association of Legion victims. The association's accusations, sent to the Legion and Vatican several weeks ago, also named other Legion priests accused of sexually abusing minors.

Williams, who was not accused of abuse, said that "a number of years ago" he had a relationship with a woman and fathered her child. He didn't identify the mother and didn't say whether the relationship was over. He also did not identify the gender of the child nor say if he was involved in supporting the child.

The Legion has been beset by scandal following revelations that its late founder, the Rev. Marciel Maciel, fathered three children and sexually abused his seminarians. Maciel died in 2008 and in 2009 the Legion admitted to his crimes.

Prominent Legion priest admits fathering child, issues apology

ROME

Catholic News Agency

By David Kerr

Rome, Italy, May 15, 2012 / 12:58 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- Father Thomas Williams, one of the most high-profile American members of the Legion of Christ, is leaving public ministry after admitting he fathered a child.

“A number of years ago I had a relationship with a woman and fathered her child. I am deeply sorry for this grave transgression and have tried to make amends,” Fr. Williams said in a May 15 statement.

“My superiors and I have decided it would be best for me to take a year without active public ministry to reflect on the wrong I have done and my commitments as a priest. I am truly sorry to everyone who is hurt by this revelation, and I ask for your prayers as I seek guidance on how to make up for my errors.”

He also apologized to members of the Legion and the Church, “since this scandalous news will damage them as well, at the worst possible moment.”

The Rev. Thomas Williams, an American moral theologian, said in a statement he was "deeply sorry for this grave transgression" against his vows of celibacy and that he would be taking a year off to reflect on what he had done and his commitment to the priesthood.

The statement was issued after The Associated Press presented the Legion with the allegation against Williams, which was lodged by a Spanish association of Legion victims. The association's accusations, sent to the Legion and Vatican several weeks ago, also named other Legion priests accused of sexually abusing minors.

Williams, who was not accused of abuse, said that "a number of years ago" he had a relationship with a woman and fathered her child. He didn't identify the mother and didn't say whether the relationship was over. He also did not identify the gender of the child nor say if he was involved in supporting the child.

The Legion has been beset by scandal following revelations that its late founder, the Rev. Marciel Maciel, fathered three children and sexually abused his seminarians. Maciel died in 2008 and in 2009 the Legion admitted to his crimes.

Williams, the most prominent priest in the 800-strong order, spoke about Maciel's double life in a February 2009 interview with the Catholic ETWN program, saying the revelations were a "very, very hard blow to all of us."

Williams, the author of such books as 2008's "Knowing Right From Wrong: A Christian Guide to Conscience," was the superior of the Legion's general directorate in Rome in the late 1990s and early 2000s. More recently, he has taught theology, promoted his books and lectured.

His personal website, which lists his numerous books, speaking engagements, articles and appearances as a CBS commentator, was taken down on Tuesday.

The accusation against Williams was first lodged by the Association for Help of Those Affected by the LC, a Spanish association for victims of the Legion. The group several weeks ago sent a list of accused Legion priests to the superior in Rome, Fr. Alvaro Corcuera and the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

The Legion admitted Friday that it had referred to the Vatican seven priests accused of sexually abusing minors. Most of the cases dated from decades ago and some were well-known among Legion watchers, raising questions about how long ago the Legion leadership knew about them.

The Vatican in 2010 took over the Legion after conducting an investigation into the order and the double life of Maciel. It is now being run by a papal delegate, though the leadership remains largely in place. It is not known how long ago the Legion leadership knew of Williams' child.

In his statement, Williams said he and his superiors had decided he should to take a year off of active ministry to reflect on his commitments as a priest.

In an email sent to all Legion priests that accompanied Williams' announcement, Fr. Luis Garza, who heads the Legion in the U.S., said he was relaying the news with great sadness given the Legion's recent turmoil.

"The last thing I would wish is to add a fresh wound when older wounds may not have healed fully," he wrote.

 

Legion of Christ ...

VATICAN CITY

Washington Post

Legion of Christ hit by second scandal in a week, prominent priest admits he fathered a child

By Associated Press,

VATICAN CITY — Legion of Christ hit by second scandal in a week, prominent priest admits he fathered a child.

Good looking priest 'Father What A Waste' admits to having affair and fathering a child

UNITED STATES
Irish Independent

A PRIEST whose movie star good looks landed him frequent appearances on US TV, has admitted to fathering a child.

Father Thomas Williams who was described by US TV anchor woman Katie Couric as ‘Father What-A-Waste’ is well known for his frequent appearances on US TV, where he talks of theological and ecumenical matters.

Father Williams, who is a Dean of Papal Morality at a university in the Vatican, has admitted to having an affair with a woman who gave birth to his child some years ago. It is unknown if he is supporting or in touch with the child.

In a statement Williams admitted: “A number of years ago I had a relationship with a woman and fathered her child. I am deeply sorry for this transgression and have tried to make amends.”

The priest who has served as a Vatican and religious affairs commentator for Sky News, for NBC and CBS and has published 14 books on Catholic dogma, including ‘Becoming the Christian You Want to Be’ said: “My superiors and I have decided it would be best for me to take a year away without active public ministry to reflect on my commitments as a priest.


“I am truly sorry to everyone who is hurt by this revelation, and I ask for your prayers as I seek guidance on how to best move forward.”

Williams admitted to fathering the child after a former Legionary priest reported rumors of the affair to senior Vatican officials.

However there has been anger expressed in Catholic circles in the States as it has since emerged that the order to which Williams belonged The Legion of Christ, had known about the child, but failed to take any measures to remove Father Williams him from his duties or to curb his appearances on TV.


This is the second scandal to hit the religious order in the past week. Last week the Legion admitted that seven of its priests are under investigation for suspected sex abuse of minors.


The Legion of Christ has been embroiled in controversies before. It emerged that its founder, now deceased, was a pedophile.


Marciel Marciel had fathered three children with two different women and frequently sexually abused seminarians. He died in 2008 and the following year the Legion admitted to his crimes.


Marciel, had when alive, been praised by Pope John Paul II as a model for the faithful and his ability to attract new seminarians. However in 2006 Pope Benedict banned Marciel from practicing as a priest, and ordered him to spend his retirement in "prayer and penitence."


The news of Father Williams fathering a child has caused much debate on Catholic forums on the internet with many offering support for Fr Williams.


One commentator Stefano posted: “This is very sad news that reminds us all, believers and non-believers, that as humans we are fragile and can and do make mistakes. Not always are we faithful to the promises and vows we freely take.”

Popular Priest Fathered Child and Says He’ll Step Aside

UNITED STATES
The New York Times
By LAURIE GOODSTEIN

Published: May 15, 2012
A telegenic American priest, widely known for his media commentary from Rome on popes, prayer and personal morality, has publicly acknowledged having an affair and fathering a child — the latest jolt to hit his scandal-torn religious order, the Legionaries of Christ.

The priest, the Rev. Thomas D. Williams, apologized in a statement on Tuesday “for this grave transgression” and “to everyone who is hurt by this revelation.” He said he would take a year off from public ministry to reflect on his transgressions and his “commitments as a priest” — a decision he said he made with his superiors.

Father Williams was the most visible American member of the Legionaries, a powerful and conservative Roman Catholic religious order that has been in turmoil since 2006, when its charismatic founder was banished by the Vatican to a life of prayer and penance.

The order’s founder, a Mexican priest named Marciel Maciel Degollado, died in 2008 amid revelations that he had sexually abused young seminarians, misappropriated money and fathered several children, some of whom say they were also victims of his sexual abuse. Only last Friday, the Legion acknowledged that seven of its priests are being investigated by the Vatican in connection with the sexual abuse of minors.

Legion of Christ Rocked by More Sex Charges

UNITED STATES
KGO
(NEW YORK) -- A prominent American priest in the Legion of Christ, a troubled Catholic order whose founder was denounced by the Vatican for sexual improprieties, has admitted having a sexual relationship with a woman and fathering her child.

Father Thomas Williams, who has appeared on CBS and NBC and was interviewed by ABC News for a 2010 report on the Legion, made the acknowledgement after an activist who had sought reform in the order contacted the Vatican with his suspicions.

"I am truly sorry to everyone who is hurt by this revelation," said Williams in a statement. He said that he would be taking a year's leave from his public duties "to reflect on my commitments as a priest."

According to the National Catholic Reporter, the Legion has confirmed that seven other priests are now being investigated for the alleged abuse of minors. The Legion has more than 800 priests