My heart is broken as I contemplate recent media reports surfacing from the Spanish-speaking world over Fr. Maciel's children. It is broken for his children, their mothers, his victims, and members of the Legion of Christ and Regnum Christi now digesting this new information. It is heartbroken for Pope Benedict XVI who bears the burden of sorting out this mess within a divided orthodox Catholic movement.
One thing we call all do right now, from the Legion's most ardent apologists to it's most vociferous critics - and everyone in between - is pray for Pope Benedict XVI and the apostolic visitators. Pray that God gives them the grace to discern a solution equitable to all parties, and one that will heal current divisions without compromising truth.
St. Joseph presents the perfect intercessor for this intention. He is foster father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, whose name the Legion claim. He is also the protector of the universal Church, the universal protector of family and the virtue of chastity, and a perfect example of manly virtue.
Toward this intention, I've started another novena to St. Joseph facebook group, where all sides to this debate can gather to pray that God's will be done in the months ahead. To join, please click here.
Before you continue with your holy speak, think of the poor souls that years ago accused Maciel of rape and molestation and were treated horrible by his most holy followers. How 'bout a prayer for them.
It is just as you described it. A mess.
Welcome to the blog, Tony! As longtime readers can attest, I've supported Fr. Maciel's victims for over a decade, know some personally, and even spoke at the 2004 ReGAIN conference in Atlanta.
Perhaps now might be as good a time as any to also enlist the prayers of Maciel's uncle, St Rafael Guizar Valencia, too.