Legionaries of Christ leave Sacramento parish

Posted Tuesday, May 29, 2012 1:47 AM By Thomas Edward Miles
Thank you for the very fine service of these priest and the brothers that have served the parish! So sad that their founder along with, Blessed John Paul the Great pulled the wool over the chuch!!! Just ask Benedict XVI!!!

Posted Tuesday, May 29, 2012 5:57 AM By JMJ
The “Legs” of Christ are so very committed to the Church and Her Teachings and they, as well as all Priests, need our prayers very much. It is so sad to hear about those that want to remove the “chicken coop”, just because one hen laid a few bad eggs; sorry for you city slickers that have never seen a chicken coop, but, this is what is happening to the Legionaries, with such misinformation going on about them. They are a wonderful group of beautiful Priests and a very great joy it is being in the presence of these God-loving men. Thank you, Father, for giving these Priests to us. +JMJ+

Posted Tuesday, May 29, 2012 6:12 AM By Frank
In light of the history of the Legionnaire’s founder, the order should be completely dismantled. God save the Church!

Posted Tuesday, May 29, 2012 6:26 AM By Marie
This is a shame. Fr. Lino has been a wonderful example of parish unity and positive catechesis at Guadalupe. Although it may be that the Order has a reason for leaving the Sacramento Diocese, I cannot help but think that the resentment of the old-school liberal priests had a role in this move.

Posted Tuesday, May 29, 2012 7:00 AM By MacDonald
While I am sorry about the many scandals (old and very recent) that have plagued this particular religious order, I am also sad that yesterday, on Memorial Day, CCD made no mention of the sacrifice of those who died for our country. Instead, it was all about some California bishop…

Posted Tuesday, May 29, 2012 8:43 AM By MD
It is such a shame that all these things have taken place within the Legionaries. I have had the opportunity to meet many Legion priests and all have been remarkable men of God, structured, disciplined and men of devout prayer. I pray for this order and for all the good men who are suffering because of the shortcomings of a few within the order. God Love You.

Posted Tuesday, May 29, 2012 9:39 AM By max
it is not only the legionaries of CHRIST who are suffering for the sins of their (perverted) founder, but every catholic priest on the planet. due to the child abuse disaster, whhich destroyed so many yyoung lives, every catholic priest now gets mocked by some, looked down on, and made the buttt of jokes. even good, holy, earnest young men entering the seminary know only too well how all are painted with the same brush, for the sins of others…

Posted Tuesday, May 29, 2012 10:37 AM By Katherine
For those of us blessed to have met the Legion priest that’ have served in Sacramento T’S A HUGE LOSS, but who can blame for leaving as unfortunatly the lack of support from bishop that priest in Sacramento diocese have is truly disappointing. Priest in Sacramento diocese are treated as employees not as priest. Truly shameful.

Posted Tuesday, May 29, 2012 11:54 AM By max
for those blaming the bishop of sacramento, read what the pastor himself says —- they are forced to undergo some changes due to the problems they are facing. why not believe him? why assume he’s lying? why blame other people when father otero makes it clear his order is behind this decision, not some evil doer behind the scenes?

Posted Tuesday, May 29, 2012 2:10 PM By Abeca Christian
I’m so sorry for those who are close to this situation and who will miss them. I don’t agree when people say Its God’s will. Really? IN California, we need more holy orders, so I think that man creates his own free will and sometimes it is not from God. Like another poster once posted here “sin complicates things.”.

Posted Tuesday, May 29, 2012 2:53 PM By Dana
I was so impressed with the Legonaire priests that would grace EWTN programs with their keen insight and deep spirituality. Unfortunately, with such a scoundrel as founder, their whole foundation was shaky. At least he never made them drink poisoned cool-aid ! Catherine, don’t you think they were especially singled out by Satan because they were so effective?

Posted Tuesday, May 29, 2012 6:05 PM By JLS
I never liked the Legionaire order, as it seemed too much like the Scientologists, with their pseudo militaristic aspect and their storm trooper like program. Explain how a bad apple produces good fruit. Like one of the other posters calls for, the remaining Legionaire clergy who are truly faithful should go and find other orders or dioceses to become part of. That order should be evaporated.

Posted Tuesday, May 29, 2012 6:51 PM By MacDonald
Dana at 2:53, the Legionaries of Christ were not “singled out by Satan because they were so effective,” they are simply human like the rest of us. Some are good, some are bad. They just are making more headlines right now because they were “seen” to be ultra-holy, which makes the scandals more newsworthy now. I think this is why the media focus so much on the Catholic Church and on Catholic priests, rather than on Protestant ministers who sin — we are more high profile, and expected to be good examples.

Posted Tuesday, May 29, 2012 8:34 PM By Carolyn
My friend had 2 sons in the Legionaries, they both left before right before the great scandal went public. It was a very hard time for the whole family. These betrayals cause so much confusion. The enemy loves it all, hoping that many will defect from the catholic church. Personally I think they should change there name, and rid themselves of any reminder of the founder.

Posted Wednesday, May 30, 2012 7:26 AM By Juergensen
My experience with the Legionaries and their lay arm Regnum Christi is that: (a) they operate as a “parallel church” separate and apart from local dioceses; (b) they seek the wealthy and powerful, not the poor and powerless (I’d bet the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Sacramento is not in the poor section of town); and (c) they lure faithful Catholics away from parochial schools into either homeschooling or sending them to a Legionary-run schools, all of which have oddly secular names (“Pinecrest Academy”, etc.). I know several faithful Catholic families who, within a year after getting involved with Regnum Christi and the Legionaries, pulled their kids out of the local parochial school and either home schooled or put the kids in the local Legionary school. Odd to say the least.

Posted Wednesday, May 30, 2012 8:33 AM By Luke
I was in the Legion for seven years, 1997-2004. It was the best time of my life because it made me who I am. At JLS above, just because you don’t like the order, doesn’t mean it should be dismantled. It was inspired by the Holy Spirit, and approved by the Catholic Church as such. What bad apple are you talking about? Fr. Maciel? Learn about religious orders before making such uneducated claims. The Holy Spirit is no bad apple and it is from him that any and all fruit of the Legion’s works comes from. That is how they bear fruit. And really, who are you to say “the remaining Legionaire clergy who are truly faithful should go and find other orders or dioceses”. Clearly you do not understand the nature of a vocation. It is a calling to a particular life. I have no doubt that I was called to be a Legionaire for seven years. These brothers and priests might be called by God to remain in this service. Are you sure you’d like to play God? Let them remain faithful in their vocations. They’ve taken vows before God as members of the Legion. If they are truly faithful, they will remain.

Posted Wednesday, May 30, 2012 8:51 AM By janice
How can anyone still defend this order founded by a truly evil man? Just think if all these priests were working as shepherds of souls instead of raising money, the primary work of the order!

Posted Wednesday, May 30, 2012 9:04 AM By JLS
So, Luke, you’re saying the Holy Spirit worked through an extreme pervert to create a good order of priests? I prefer Catholic perspectives and is why the Legionaire clergy should disband and join other clergy groups. If the leader and founder could pull the wool over the eyes of those trumpeting the acclaimed holiness of the order, then what does this say about the veracity of its spokesmen?

Posted Wednesday, May 30, 2012 9:44 AM By JLS
Luke, why did you leave, and what are you doing now?

Posted Wednesday, May 30, 2012 10:41 AM By Angelo
The Legionaries, have some of the greatest Priests in the Church. They haved saved alot of what was damaged in the Church. Despite their founder, Legionaries are well know for their faithfullnes to the Church. Their is no reason to condemn all of the Priests of this order because of a bad few. Lets not look at what their founder done, lets look at the great work the priests of this Order have done. St. Padre Pio said concerning all matters, “Everything has good and bad, We must do away with the bad and keep what is good.”

Posted Wednesday, May 30, 2012 11:14 AM By annika
Maciel founded the LC to enable his addictions (perversion, money, drugs, power) and to cloak himself with good people to hide his true self. He wanted people’s money and their children. He was a world class con man. There is no charism because of him. His remnant has lost its flow of money, mostly gleaned from endless deceptive appeals of both the wealthy and the common man. The reform of the LC has made little progress, but without the enormous amounts of cash, the empire is crumbling. Fr. Garza LC is pulling LCs out of unprofitable centers like Sacramento to more profitable centers like Atlanta. The LC shell game is collapsing and good men like Fr. Otero are but pawns.

Posted Wednesday, May 30, 2012 11:21 AM By Abeca Christian
I want to thank you for writing on this. I am very oblivious to the bad reputation some people mention here about this order. It’s the first time I ever heard anything bad about them.

Posted Wednesday, May 30, 2012 12:21 PM By Barbara
St. Peter denied Jesus three times. Jesus made St. Peter the first pope.

Posted Wednesday, May 30, 2012 12:23 PM By max
have you ever SEEN a legionaire of christ priest who was not handsome, with perfectly groomed hair, pristine suit, french cuffs, etc.? they all look the same, as iff picked from some catalog to make the best possible appearance. this has always made me wonder…sort of like the stepford wives…

Posted Wednesday, May 30, 2012 1:12 PM By JLS
Barbara, that denial was not a pattern to be honored by subsequent clergy. Also, St Peter was not a pervert. He was a normal good man. He repented before he was made the rock upon which the Church is built. The only sin St Peter displayed was because he was afraid. God knew that the Crucifixion would be a bit over the top for his closest apostles … the Maciel case has nothing to do with St Peter’s denial, but is an abomination in the face of God … can’t get any worse than that, Barbara.

Posted Wednesday, May 30, 2012 1:15 PM By JLS
max, sometimes you actually display sobriety and careful reflection. Your description of the Legionairre pattern is why I likened them to Scientologists … I once stood in the entrance to their headquarters in Hollywood … freakin’ nazi-esque robots. Also a one time college roomie (1966) left college to live aboard Hubbard’s Mediterranean flagship yacht … same danged duplicitous neat as a pin robo-character.

Posted Wednesday, May 30, 2012 1:16 PM By Dave N.
Given the recent revelations that corruption among the Legionaires had already spread well beyond Fr. Maciel, this departure for the Diocese of Sacramento is probably for the best. And we still don’t even know the full extent of the corruption–and probably never will at the rate the investigation is proceeding.

Posted Wednesday, May 30, 2012 1:17 PM By JLS
Hey, qualifier to my description of robo-nazi scientologists and Legionairres: I was in the Marine Corps and I know the difference between authentic discipline and psychotic pseudo-discipline.

Posted Wednesday, May 30, 2012 1:33 PM By Angelo
max, The Church has long ordered priests to be neatly dressed and well groomed. The Legionarie Priests as in everything have been faithful to the Church on this. They all look the same because they wear the Cassock of their order with faithfulnes. They do not have the liberty to defy the Rule of their Order. Their founder may have been evil but he knew what attracted men to the priesthood. The Legionaire priests did not join the Order because of its founder they joined to consecrate their lives to God and His Church through the Holy priesthood. Those who left the Legion of Christ perhaps never had a vocation to begin with. And are probably using the founder of the Legion to justify their leaving, so that people can say “look at what their founder has done to these men.” God will be their judge.

Posted Wednesday, May 30, 2012 2:20 PM By MacDonald
The most recent L.C. priest in scandal: “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.” PLEASE NOTE: he says “her” child rather than “our” child — I’m sure the kid is thrilled to read these words. Furthermore, the rest of his spiel is all about me, me, me, and not a word about taking care of his child, leaving this woman to raise a baby alone, etc. How very underwhelming.

Posted Wednesday, May 30, 2012 2:44 PM By Abeca Christian
max your funny, I never even bothered to check them out in that way? Wow some of these comments are…well I don’t know how to put it. I guess there was so much more about this order that I didn’t know. Some people have hard feelings about them. I wonder what is true? I will have to do my research.

Posted Wednesday, May 30, 2012 2:58 PM By +JMJ+
I am sooooo sick and tired of hearing about priests molesting children, priests having sex with anyone, priests sexually abusing others priests and priests fathering children. My God… this is a travesty! I know sex feels good but damn…. this is nuts! I think priests need A LOT MORE psychological support and review than they get. What happened to our shepherds? I don’t even trust my children around priests anymore because of all this scandal! Give all the priests monthly psych evaluations and let them get married. geeze…..

Posted Wednesday, May 30, 2012 3:42 PM By Angela
Following the charity that Christ showed us is what will get us to heaven. Leave the judging to God and the decisions to those who are in the position to make them.

Posted Wednesday, May 30, 2012 5:00 PM By Gene
I have read all these post.Also the fact remains is that Sin can take over anyone’s control center…Just like drinking or drugs..etc…Women & Men are subject to all these same actions as listed above Not just priest.Please people just look in the mirror and deal with whats in front of you .God will sort out the rest…………..

Posted Wednesday, May 30, 2012 5:06 PM By Kenneth M. Fisher
6:12 AM By Frank, In other words, you believe in throwing out the baby with the bathwater. All the Legionaries I have known have been very loyal orthodox priests. God bless, yours in Their Hearts, Kenneth M. Fisher

Posted Wednesday, May 30, 2012 5:12 PM By JLS
JMJ, the married priesthood was conquered by the Soviet Union, whereas the celibate priesthood eventually rescued them. Now the demonic battle front has morphed into what has been coming to light for a couple of decades.

Posted Wednesday, May 30, 2012 5:14 PM By JLS
So, MacD, are you implying that a priest who fathers a child should leave his vocation and take up the new vocation of husband and father? Might be a good policy to instill in the Church. Or have him marry the woman and ship him over to one of the eastern rite Catholic Churches which have that arrangement.

Posted Wednesday, May 30, 2012 5:19 PM By Kenneth M. Fisher
Gee Jourgensen, the Legionaries I have known were all in poor parishes, especially the one I knew from Cancun, Mexico, and he was very othodox. Let God decide if he wants this Order to survive, please. Our Blessed Mother has often stated that Her Son only allows evil to bring about a greater good, and the Legionaries are very devoted to Her. Maciel was opposed to the Mass of St. Pius V, perhaps now that will change with the Legionaries who remain. I know some wanted to celebrate the Mass of All Ages, but the leadership forbade them, perhaps…… God bless, yours in Their Hearts, Kenneth M. Fisher God bless, yours in Their Hearts, Kenneth M. Fisher

Posted Wednesday, May 30, 2012 5:32 PM By Janice
Having had the experience of two Legionary Brothers spend several days in our home, we can say that these are good men and boys. They impressed us with their dedication, spirituality, maturity, friendliness, just what you would like to see in your own son. And they impressed our neighbors, all non-Catholic, who they spent time with. They impressed our Parish at daily Mass dressed as Priests, not in some gaudy outfit. Are there any black sheep in your families? Was Jesus betrayed? Hold your tongues on good Catholics who are dedicating their lives for our benefit. Go and meet one, judge by the fruit they are producing. And pray for all of our Priests. Maybe pray that more of them would look at the example of most L.C.’s and they would serve God as He has planned for His Church.

Posted Wednesday, May 30, 2012 5:50 PM By Mark from PA
I actually agree with some of what JLS is saying here today. Something is not all right with this group. MacDonald, the higher ups knew about that priest years ago but still let him be a spokesman for the order. His movie star good looks probably helped him in this respect. He needs to be a man and be a father to his child. I agree with what you are saying here.

Posted Wednesday, May 30, 2012 5:55 PM By max
ANGELO i’m not saying priests should look like slobs, but firends of mine who studied in rome told me the legionaries even had to COMB THEIR HAIR in the exact same way, all of them. just too weird. and when i’ve encountered them personally, as in visits to italy, they loook like a bunch of clones. i don’t think the first apostles all were xeroxed to be identical. as for the men who left the legionaries of CHRIST, i don’t juidge them because GOD only knows why they left to become diocesan priests or whatever. maybe they were sick of being in what felt like a control-freak cult.

Posted Wednesday, May 30, 2012 8:19 PM By JLS
Right;, Angela, just do as you’re told. After all, “Vee vass only followving ordures”.

Posted Wednesday, May 30, 2012 11:24 PM By JLS
When I met the late Bishop John Ward, the pastor of the first parish I settled into upon conversion, I was blessed to see how real he was, in that he did not hit you with some “persona”, ie some mask. He even got on one of his priests who had tried to put a bit of arrogance on me. When I saw the Bishop engaging a family after Mass one sunday, I was heartened that he was like a family member, no fascade, no trumped up nonsense. Just real down home soul. That would be the antipathy of the LC robo-fathers. Bp Ward was truly empathetic. Another priest who was no “put on” was pastor of another long ago parish I was in … didn’t have to prove anything; humble. There are other priests like this, whose goal is Heaven, whose concern is serious, and who are humble; but those I know have not yet entered into history, and so I won’t say more. God’s fathers are “out there” and do His work. Not only do they do His work, they do so much of it that they have no time to do any work they might see as their own.

Posted Thursday, May 31, 2012 12:02 AM By Angelo
max, Look up scripture, Christ gave instructions on how those he chose should dress. Remember the Tonsure? It has been a long tradition of how each priest must dress, from Religious Orders to Diocesion priests. At the Council of Trent it was decreed that woman worship God in balconies. So that men could worship in chaste hearts. I think now woman should have been blindfolded during mass, if they are to be looking at a priest with lust. It is a disgrace for a woman to speak in such a manner. If a woman cannot respect a priest in writing, then priests must be warned of such woman.

Posted Thursday, May 31, 2012 5:35 AM By MGM
When I went home 14,000 miles away from the USA, I found a priest surrounded by 5 elderly women wherever they are invited to go, after mass, wedding reception, baptism and etc. On the side I asked one of them what is so special about the priest. She remarked, there are teenage girls and married women who are wanting to go to bed with him (priest). WOW for me times had change. During my time, there is a distance between priest and lay people. They are set apart specially for service to GOD and spread HIS gospel. THINK first of what we are to our priest, PLEASE. .

Posted Thursday, May 31, 2012 1:11 PM By JLS
MGM, the circumference of the earth is 25,000 miles. One’s home cannot be more than half that distance away. So you were actually only 11,000 miles away from home, that is if you are a crow flying.

Posted Thursday, May 31, 2012 1:13 PM By JLS
MGM, the distance you refer to is also called “self restraint”. Heaven helps those who want the help. Perhaps those five old women were there at Heaven’s behest.

Posted Thursday, May 31, 2012 2:55 PM By Kenneth M. Fisher
Fr. Aloysius Elacuria, CMF once told me that the Devil has assigned a special female (I don’t use woman because that is a term of endearment used by Our Lord for His Mother) for the purpose of taking that priest away from the Sacred Priesthood. By the Way, several of the priests who contribute here are Spiritual Sons of Fr. Aloysius. I have told this to many priests. God bless, yours in Their Hearts, Kenneth M. Fisher,

Posted Thursday, May 31, 2012 3:07 PM By Angelo
Angelo, Greatly put. I agree 1000%. I would have like to write a very similar post but thought calcathdaily would consider it inappropiate. Upon reading your post, I thought I was losing it, I did’nt remember writing that. Maybe your my clone! Anyway I agree with you 1000%. You put it very well.

Posted Thursday, May 31, 2012 3:19 PM By Angelo
max, The Militaries of every nation have the same type of rules on how to dress, haircut, clothing, how they must conduct themselves ect… Would you approve of Our soldiers in uniform, dress and behave themselves without any rules. Have you ever observed that the Dominicans, Carmelite Fathers, Marian Fathers, Franciscans ect… All dress the same and all have rules on proper conduct. Why is it only bad for the legionaries. Are they being wrongly persecuted?!