• The Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ has published the 2020 Annual Report Truth, Justice, and Healing which details the steps taken in victim care and the development of safe environments.
• The Annual Report accounts for the commitments made by the 2020 General Chapter and the current general director. It is primarily aimed at victims and presents the Congregation’s collaboration with Eshmá, a professional and independent institution specialized in victim support for sexual abuse, abuse of power, and conscience within the Catholic Church.
• The Report also explains the reasons why the Legionaries have published each case of priests from the Congregation who have committed child abuse, either by name or by a numerical code. This Report continues the statistical report already presented by the Legionaries of Christ in 2019 and outlines the next steps to be taken.

A step further towards a zero-abuse culture

The path of renewal that they have been following as a Congregation for the past 10 years advances another step in the field of victim support and the development of safe environments. In 2019, they published a historic statistical report on all abuse cases since the foundation. During the 2020 General Chapter, they issued two documents outlining commitments and regulations in victim support and abuse prevention. A year later, in their determination to pursue paths of truth, justice, and healing with abuse victims—both known and those who, for various reasons, have not come forward—they published the 2020 Annual Report Truth, Justice, and Healing.

An independent and professional channel for supporting abuse victims

Aware that sexual abuse of minors is one of the most traumatic realities that deeply and intensely affect the human being—and that the healing process, often long and difficult, requires proper accompaniment—they have established ongoing collaboration with a professional and independent institution for victim support. This is Eshmá, founded by individuals who have experienced child sexual abuse victimization firsthand, as well as by therapists, social workers, and legal experts in restorative justice. It is reported that this institution has begun to support some victims of members of the Congregation in various countries, and offers programs such as: a permanent reception and initial listening point; a therapeutic support space to heal the aftermath of abuse; a safe and independent reporting channel; social guidance and legal assistance regarding the reporting process and criminal proceedings; and restorative dialogues as pathways to truth, justice, and reparation.

Systematic economic reparation program for victims

The aim is to somehow repair the suffering caused by abuses committed by members of the Congregation and to facilitate the healing journey. During 2020, they continued providing financial aid and targeted therapeutic assistance to various victims. A study of best international practices has also been conducted to prepare the creation of a systematic and independent program for victim reparation and support.

Publication of past cases with names or numerical codes

The Congregation has reviewed each case published in the 1941-2019 Report. In pursuit of the well-being of those who have suffered abuse, senior leaders of the Legionaries of Christ have decided to publish each case with full names, or just names or a numerical code, of priests from the Congregation who have committed abuse against minors under 18.
The Report explains the reasons behind the decision to publish each case individually, respecting the relevant legislation. It details the benefits for victims, their families, the congregation, society at large, and the perpetrators themselves.

Culture of protection and care for minors: safe environments

Regarding safe environments, in 2020 they renewed policies according to international standards set by the external agency Praesidium. They report having expanded their panel of contracted lay professionals and developed training and awareness sessions on sexual abuse, in collaboration with victims who have gone through healing processes. Safe environments are accredited, or in the process of accreditation, according to official criteria established by this external organization in all countries where the Congregation is present.

Priorities for 2021

The Congregation, aware that there is still a long way to go, has committed to continue publishing an annual report on the steps taken, updating data, and accounting for commitments made. The priorities for 2021 are: strengthen professional and systematic victim support; establish an independent program for financial reparation for victims; examine possible cases of cover-up and serious negligence; complete independent accreditation processes in all territories; and address issues of abuse of authority and conscience.

Statistical summary

The appendix of the 2020 Annual Report provides updated statistics on abuse cases within the Congregation. In total, 27 priests from the Legionaries of Christ are documented as having committed sexual abuse. This represents 2% of the 1,380 priests ordained throughout the history of the Congregation. It also mentions five cases of Legionaries who abused while seminarians and were ordained priests in the Congregation. Priests still in the Congregation do not have public priestly ministry, except one whose ministry is restricted (excluding pastoral work with minors) while their case is under review. The 2020 statistical update can be found at 0abusos.org.