Legionaries of Christ Quit California Base

Cathnews
May 30, 2012

www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=31558


Citing its need to restructure in the United States after a series of sex abuse scandals involving its founder and several prominent members, the Legionaries of Christ are withdrawing from the Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Sacramento, California, effective July 1, reports NCR Online.

The order has administered the large Hispanic parish in the state capital for the last 12 years.

Their departure follows the closure last year of their two local schools, the University of Sacramento and the Immaculate Conception Apostolic School, because of diminishing enrollment.

"Our religious congregation has suffered a crisis in the past few years and we must restructure ourselves in the United States," said Fr Lino Otero, pastor, in a message to parishioners.

"In these difficult moments, we have enjoyed the support and trust of Pope Benedict XVI, who accompanies us in these times. We view our future with hope and enthusiasm, forming a more solid congregation of religious and priests."

Otero will move to New York and the other Legionaries at the parish will be assigned by the order to ministries outside of the Diocese of Sacramento. The diocese has named Fr Rodolfo Llamas as the new pastor.