May 19, 2006

Mexican priest ordered to retire

VATICAN CITY
BBC News

The Vatican has told the Mexican founder of the influential Legion of Christ order to retire to a life of prayer after sexual abuse allegations.

The Pope had approved sanctions against Marcial Maciel after seeing the results of an inquiry, a statement said.

It added there would not be a Church trial because of Father Maciel's age - he is 86 - and poor health.

Father Maciel - who founded the conservative order in 1941 - has long denied any wrongdoing.

Posted by kshaw at May 19, 2006 11:36 AM