Pope Sends Apostolic Visitors to the Legionaries of Christ, Legionaries of Christ , March 31, 2009

Pope Sends Apostolic Visitors to the Legionaries of Christ

Legionaries of Christ
March 31, 2009

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His Holiness Benedict XVI renews his solidarity with and prayers for the Legionaries of Christ, the members of Regnum Christi and those who are spiritually close to you

Father Alvaro Corcuera: “With deep gratitude we have experienced the closeness of the Holy See at this phase in the life of our congregation.”

Rome, March 31, 2009. We wish to share with Regnum Christi members and friends two letters announcing an Apostolic Visitation to the institutions of the Legionaries of Christ. We also have included some questions/answers. This is the beginning of a process in which the Legion will fully and gratefully cooperate. We invite our readers to accompany us with prayers that this special help from the Holy Father will assist the Legion and Regnum Christi to love Christ and serve His Church.

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Let us lift up our prayers to God that he will grant us the grace to continue to seek the holiness to which He is calling us, and that we will be able to bring to its fullness the charism He has entrusted to us.

Thy Kingdom Come!

CONGREGATIO

LEGIONARIORUM CHRISTI

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DIRECTOR GENERALIS

Prot. D.G 586-2009

Rome, March 29, 2009

To all Legionaries of Christ,

Dear Fathers and Brothers in Christ,

With deep gratitude we have experienced the closeness of the Holy See at this phase in the life of our congregation. The Holy Father and his closest collaborators have confirmed us in our mission at the service of the Church, and with fatherly concern they have offered us their advice and support.

I want to share with you the letter that His Eminence, the Cardinal Secretary of State to His Holiness wrote to me on March 10 past (cf. attachment). In it, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone assures us that the Holy Father renews his nearness, “his solidarity and prayers”, and he informs us that the Holy Father has decided that there will be an Apostolic Visitation of the institutions of the Legionaries of Christ.

I have thanked the Holy Father from my heart for offering us this additional help to face our present vicissitudes related to the grave facts in our father founder’s life that already were the object of the investigations by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which were concluded in May of 2006, and those which have come to light more recently. We are deeply saddened and sorry, and we sincerely ask for forgiveness from God and from those who have been hurt through this.

Full of confidence in divine Providence and in our Mother the Church, guardian of the authentic good of her children, we are now preparing to receive the Apostolic Visitors who, over the next months, will visit us to familiarize themselves closely with the life and apostolate of the Legion of Christ.

Let us reaffirm our commitment, and lift up our prayers to God that he will grant us the grace to continue to seek the holiness to which He is calling us, and that we will be able to bring to its fullness the charism He has entrusted to us. May the Blessed Virgin Mary accompany us and lead us to love every day more her Son Jesus Christ.

Sincerely yours in Christ and the Legion,

Fr. Alvaro Corcuera, LC

Enclosed: Letter from His Eminence Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone

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The Holy Father has decided to carry out an Apostolic Visitation to the institutions of the Legionaries of Christ through a team of Prelates.

SECRETARIATE OF STATE

FIRST SECTION – GENERAL AFFAIRS

Vatican City, March 10, 2009

Reverend Father,

In this holy season of Lent, a time of grace and salvation, I am pleased to remember that many people benefit from the works of education and apostolate which the Legionaries of Christ carry out in various parts of the world, moved by your desire to establish Christ’s Kingdom according to the demands of justice and charity, among intellectuals, professional people and those engaged in teaching and social action.

Since this mission is of fundamental importance and is worth devoting oneself to with broadmindedness and an unsullied heart. I wish to let you as General Director know that in these delicate moments His Holiness Benedict XVI renews his solidarity with and prayers for the Legionaries of Christ, the members of Regnum Christi and those who are spiritually close to you.

The Holy Father is aware of the noble ideals that inspire you and the fortitude and prayerful spirit with which you are facing the current vicissitudes, and he encourages you to continue seeking the good of the Church and society by means of your own distinctive initiatives and institutions. In this regard, you can always count on the help of the Holy See, so that with truth and transparency, in a climate of fraternal and constructive dialogue, you will overcome the present difficulties. In this respect, the Holy Father has decided to carry out an Apostolic Visitation to the institutions of the Legionaries of Christ through a team of Prelates.

As I unite myself with the Holy Father’s sentiments, I entrust all Legionaries and Regnum Christi members to the motherly protection of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and I take the opportunity to express to you once more my best wishes and esteem in Christ.

Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone

Secretary of State to His Holiness

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Reverend Father Alvaro CORCUERA MARTINEZ DEL RIO, LC

General Director of the Legionaries of Christ

Via Aurelia, 677

00165 Rome

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Some questions and answers about the Apostolic Visitation to the institutions of the Legion of Christ.

What is an Apostolic Visitation?

On some occasions, the Holy See can appoint one or several visitors for a religious order or congregation, a seminary, an apostolate, or another ecclesial institution. The task of the Apostolic Visitors consists in gaining firsthand knowledge of the visited institution and of informing the Holy See. It is a way for the Church to offer external support to solve a difficult situation in the best possible way.

Why is this Apostolic Visitation taking place?

The Holy Father has decided to help us to overcome our difficulties through an Apostolic Visitation.

Father Alvaro Corcuera has been in constant dialogue with the Holy See, asking for help and guidance.

Who are the Visitators? How and when will their visit take place?

We are still awaiting notification with this information from the Holy See. Most likely, the Apostolic Visitation will begin after Easter and will last for several months.

What are the implications of the Apostolic Visitation for the life of the congregation and its members?

While the Apostolic Visitation is taking place, our life and apostolate will continue along its ordinary course. We are ready to welcome the Visitators to our centers and institutions with faith and supernatural spirit, cooperating with them and facilitating their mission.