On April 6, 2022, the Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ published a second report with accountability regarding the commitments made to victims of sexual abuse, since all cases in our history were published three years ago.
For the second consecutive year, through II Annual Report on Truth, justice and healing, it reports on the steps taken and announces the international program for economic reparation for victims of sexual abuse against minors that will be launched in 2022 and will be sustainable over time.
The Legion of Christ is currently undertaking healing paths with 56 of the approximately 170 victims known to us. Meanwhile, Eshmá, an institution specialized in welcoming and accompanying victims of sexual, power, and conscience abuse within the Catholic Church, as of the date of the II Report, already attended to 31 victims of members of the Congregation, 20 of whom reported abuse suffered as minors. Victims’ identities and information about the abuses they suffered are only shared with the Congregation if the victims wish so.
In the commitment to promote paths of reconciliation and healing, a program for economic reparation has been created for victims that, usually, is part of a broader process of restorative justice aimed at contributing to the victim’s comprehensive healing.
To this end, the Congregation has developed a stable program of reparation that will be gradually implemented throughout 2022 in various countries. This program consists of the elements illustrated in the graphic 1 (below). The reception channels at each location are available to offer a detailed explanation to victims.
The Congregation is aware that economic reparation “cannot erase or compensate for the harm caused by abuse”, but that “together with attention and accompaniment, can contribute to justice and facilitate the victim’s healing, alleviating the weight carried by those who bear this wound”, affirms II Report on.
In 2021, all countries where the Congregation is present have implemented policies for safe environments, coordinated by a responsible person in each country. The vast majority of countries are accredited or in the process of certification by Praesidium, an external institution specialized in creating safe environments for minors according to the highest internationally recognized prevention standards.
Additional Information
- All updated case data, documents, reports, as well as contacts for institutional and independent channels for complaints, can be found at 0abusos.org.
- Letter from Father John Connor, LC, to the Legionaries of Christ
- II Annual Report: Truth, Justice, and Healing
1 Comment.
[…] Hans Zollner pide que sean los fieles los que tomen partido cuando las autoridades no actúan, pues todavía “les cuesta admitir los crímenes del pasado”. La noticia de la publicación diocesana también explica que recientemente los jesuitas y los legionarios de Cristo han presentado informes sobre su trabajo en protección de menores y atención a víctimas. El de los legionarios de Cristo se llama “Verdad, Justicia y Sanación”. […]