The “departure” of Fr. Maciel…
Founder of the Legionairies of Christ.
In an official statement, Fr. Corcuera, General Director of the Legionaries of Christ announced “the departure of their beloved founder, Father Marcial Maciel Degollado to heaven on January 30,”
Father Maciel participated in the bishops’ synods on priestly formation (1990), on consecrated life (1994), and on the Americas (1997). He also took part in the Fourth General Conference of the Latin American Episcopate in Santo Domingo (1992). After directing the congregation for 74 years, Father Maciel declined to accept, in January of 2005, re-election as the General Director.
His refusal of the position to lead the order came after a statement from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith that settled the issue of accusations of misconduct against him.
Father Maciel “spent his final years in a private life of prayer, a spirit of obedience, submission, and reverence for the Catholic Church which he had so deeply loved and taught others to love”, the official statement says. - Source
May Fr. Maciel rest in peace.
In the past I’ve written on how religious sometimes employ a certain decorus language when it serves them well, or when they are making official statements. Official statements may indeed be dictated by protocol and a politeness that has been lost in contemporary language, cases of politically correct speech being the exception.
In announcing the death of Fr. Maciel, I couldn’t help but notice how well the Father General phrased what the founder has been doing the past few years, prior to his “departure”. “Father Maciel declined to accept, in January of 2005, re-election as the General Director.” And, “His refusal of the position to lead the order came after a statement from the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith that settled the issue of accusations of misconduct against him.” In reference to his life of imposed penance, the Fr. General concluded:
“Father Maciel “spent his final years in a private life of prayer, a spirit of obedience, submission, and reverence for the Catholic Church which he had so deeply loved and taught others to love.”
Father General’s words are indeed a beautiful tribute to Fr. Maciel and the praiseworthy manner in which he lived out his final obedience. Reading Fr. General’s words, one might never realize Fr. Maciel had been more or less banished to live a life of penance the rest of his life. In this, his obedience seems to have been admirable - even heroic. May he rest in peace.
May the Divine Mercy be praised and adored forever. Amen.
[Photo credit: Fr. Maciel]
February 1st, 2008 at 7:03 pm
Terry-
I was going to write a post on Fr. Maciel’s death but I KNEW you would beat me to it:)
When I was in discernment, Fr. Tony, my vocations director, made a comment that was somewhat derogatory about the L. of C. I can’t remember the comment verbatim, but he warmed me to stay AWAY from them. I was somewhat baffled by his cautionary language since I was under the supposition the Legionaires were faithful to Catholic teaching. Also, I got the impression that there was some kind of intra-religious order competition for suitable candidates. I always thought (and still do) that an ordination in the Benedictine’s is as much a win for the monks as it is for S.J’s or the Josephites (same Church, right?). This conversation between myself and Father Tony took place during the period in which I was considering to either join an order, or take a diocesan ordination (I think Fr. T wanted me for the diocese).
Like it’s written in your post: May Father Maciel rest in peace.
February 25th, 2008 at 10:42 am
Anyone who says anything negative about Fr. Maciel or the Legion is probably just jealous, right? Come on. Would you say that about Pope Benedict, who banished Fr. Maciel to a life of penance?