Rome, Italy. December 11, 2010. Following authorization by the pontifical
delegate, Cardinal Velasio De Paolis, Fr Alvaro Corcuera, LC, general
director of the Legion of Christ and Regnum Christi, issued
norms regarding the figure of Fr Marcial Maciel. The decree,
promulgated on December 6, is the result of many considerations
and suggestions, and of an ongoing exchange among the major
superiors of the congregation. The decree formalizes in broad strokes
what has for the most part already been general practice:
- In
institutional writings, the way of referring to Fr Maciel will
be as “founder of the Legion of Christ and Regnum
Christi” or simply “Fr Maciel.”
- It is confirmed that photographs
of the founder alone or with the Holy Father cannot
be placed in Legionary or Regnum Christi centers.
- Dates having
to do with his person (birthday, baptismal day, name day,
and priestly ordination anniversary) are not to be celebrated. The
anniversary of his death, January 30, will be a day
dedicated especially to prayer.
- The founder’s personal writings and talks
will not be for sale in the congregation’s publishing houses,
centers, and works of apostolate.
- The crypt of the Cotija
cemetery with the mortal remains of the Maciel Degollado family, Fr
Maciel and other Legionaries of Christ and Regnum Christi consecrated
members will be given the value that pertains to any
Christian burial place. It will be treated as a place
of prayer for the eternal repose of the deceased.
- The
retreat centers in Cotija will continue offering the same services,
but a place for prayer, reparation, and expiation will be
created there.
Along with these institutional provisions, the text indicates that
the superiors and directors must proceed “according to the criteria
of this decree also for all matters not explicitly covered
in it, taking their communities’ and teams’ personal preferences into
account.” In addition, respecting the personal freedom of the Legionaries
of Christ and consecrated members of Regnum Christi, the norms
leave space so that anyone who wishes to may privately
keep a photograph of the founder, read his writings, or
listen to his talks. In addition, the content of these
writings may be used in preaching without citing the author.
Upon
issuing the decree, Fr Alvaro Corcuera expressed his firm hope
that this institutional position will help all Legionaries and Regnum
Christi Movement members to focus on the person of Christ
and continue forward united in charity.