Former LC, Alex Martin, speaks of widespread corruption of Religious Life in Legion of Christ

 

Fr. Maciel, Benefactress Flora Barragan, Pope VI, private audience in the 60s

Posted on GlobalPost a propos Investigation
by Spanish speaker in English
[without edits]
May be pseudonym

Posted by Alexmartin73 on July 20, 2009 17:48 ET
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I was a Legionary for many years. During my time as a legionary I saw Fr. Marcial (Nuestro Padre) live a very extravagant life. And there was a cult of him. He also knew how to wine and dine the elite. I was a waiter in the CES (Centro de estudios superiores) in Rome. One of the brothers who would prepare the Dinning room. We only had the very best for the visitors. (we would enjoy the leftovers afterwards in a Room beside the small kitchen). The display given to visitors would be similar to a very expensive restaurant. (I still remember the Mount Blanc deserts bought for the occasions). We could not even question things we saw, if I were to say "why does Nuestro Padre need special rooms in each house" to a brother, I could be 100% sure that brother would report my remark to superior and there would be consequences (I would be sent to work in east Europe or Columbia). The Legion had a way of keeping us in toe. It was a question of shut up or leave.(if you had the bottle) We really did believe we were doing God’s will by going on "recaudacion de fundos" in Mexico (begging for money from Rich). There was an Irish Priest Fr. William, who would get millions for the legion; The Guy got sense one day and left.
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There are a lot of Good, very good priests. However the Legion knows how to spin a story to match their needs. I had a lot of good times in the Legion, they treated me very well, I was no abused by anyone, However even after leaving the Legion it was not until the Legion revealed the true story about the Founder that I became aware of the true nature of the Legion and its ability to brainwash people. because the Legion did pervert Religious life for its only ends and that of its founder. Many Legionaries did not live as Legionaries should, they would live apart, have their own money, own houses, cars, etc.. Any now I know why, because the founder was not a true Catholic, he did not believe, he was a parasite of the church, using faith for his own means.
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Its sad when I think of the day in Mexico in 1998 when Fr. Alvaro spoke to us in Rosedal in Mexico about the allegations. He said they were false and were made to discredit "Nuestro Padre". These guys so intelligent as they are, were not able or willing to see the truth or even investigate. Fr. Macial has more power in the Legion than the Pope did, He knew how to use is power.
I hope and pray that the 5 Bishops will be able to see the true structure of the Legion (not the legion Painted by superiors), They will see pious communities, clean seminarians. What they don't and won't see are the one to one's the seminarians get with superiors, team balance, and the culture that is still there of hiding the truth. Even today they did don't criticize a superior, they keep the spirit of the Legion (I know this from a priest in the legion)
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From what I can see in the Media only the Tip of the Iceberg has been revealed, There is a lot more to come. I feel sorry for the men of Faith in the Legion.