The Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ makes public a Report on sexual abuse of minors within the Congregation throughout its entire history, from its founding in 1941 to the present day.

The 1941-2019 Report is the result of an extensive study conducted over 6 months by an internal commission that, within the limits of a work of this nature, verified various accusations of sexual abuse of minors throughout the history of the Legionaries of Christ. It includes the global statistics of abuse cases by its priests, between 1941 and 2019, and features an Appendix with the steps taken in prevention and the creation of safe environments that the Congregation has systematically implemented since 2015 at an international level.

With this, the Legionaries of Christ wish to take a further step by confronting their history to understand and acknowledge the phenomenon of sexual abuse of minors and to promote reconciliation with the victims. During the study period, 13 victims were contacted, and about 40 members of the Congregation were interviewed in detail.

“We have experienced that any step of approaching a victim is an essential step toward justice in truth,” –states the Report– “and that shedding light on the past, no matter how painful, is liberating and an indispensable foundation for building the future,” it affirms. The Report “condemns and deplores” the abuses committed, as well as “those institutional or personal practices that may have facilitated or encouraged any form of abuse or re-victimization.” It is also hoped that this study will serve as “a sign of our desire to continue taking steps on the path of reconciliation with each of them” for the victims.

The study was carried out in the context of preparing the Congregation’s General Chapter, which will take place in Rome starting January 20. There, the commission responsible for the study will present conclusions and recommendations.

The Congregation has wanted to make the results of this study known to gather all its members and collaborators in the effort to eradicate sexual abuse of minors and to foster a culture of protection and care for minors.

Global Data

According to the study data, from 1941 to the present, 175 minors have been victims of sexual abuse committed by a total of 33 priests of the Congregation. This number of victims includes at least 60 minors who were abused by Father Marcial Maciel. The 33 priests represent 2.44% of the 1,353 Legionaries ordained throughout the history of the Congregation. Among these 33 priests, 6 have died, 8 left the priesthood, 1 left the Congregation, and 18 remain in the Congregation. Of these 18, 100% are separated from pastoral contact with minors, 4 have restrictions on their ministry and a safety plan, and 14 do not perform public priestly ministry.

Ceroabusos.org

The Report and statistics are published on the website ceroabusos.org, where there is also a listening and reporting channel. From ceroabusos.org, the Legionaries of Christ seek to continue shedding light on abuses committed by some members throughout their history, contribute to the healing of victims, and promote safe environments that offer all possible guarantees for a future with zero abuse.