Wednesday, June 01, 2005
MORE ON THE LEGIONARIES
at the NCR website, a story by Jason Berry that was linked at Crux News contains more details on the new allegations against Maciel that have surfaced in Mexico. Berry raises these questions:
The pope can halt or intervene in any canonical case. If the case was halted:
Why did Benedict XVI decide against an ecclesiastical trial?
Will the Holy See affirm Maciel’s innocence, something it has not done since the sex abuse allegations by nine former Legionaries were first reported in 1997 by the Hartford (Conn.) Courant?
If not, how does the Vatican explain the allegations?
Will the congregation destroy its investigative findings, as canon law allows when an authority declines to prosecute a canonical case?
Was Scicluna allowed to finish the report?
Has Benedict XVI read it?
The Vatican cannot win a victory for Maciel by shelving these accusations. If the case is dropped, it will only make Maciel appear to be guilty but with friends in high places who are willing to lie for him. It will appear to be business as usual to the detriment of the Roman Catholic Church. Which has greater importance, the reputation of the Church or the reputation of the Legion?
Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us!
