ZE090207
ZENIT
The World Seen From Rome
Daily dispatch - February 07, 2009
LETTERS TO THE EDITORS
Build Bridges
Fairtrade and the Church
Truth in Driver's Seat
We All Need Prayer
Work With, Not Against
DOCUMENTS
Legionary Superior-General Regarding Founder's Life
Father Kearns Regarding Life of Father Maciel
Father Berg Regarding Life of Father Maciel
A response to: Paris Cardinal Notes "Horror" at Holocaust-Denier
Hi! I am a volunteer in the Philippine Church, having been a full-time professional catechist since 1984. I am always saddened when priests who are in very important positions in the Church give personal and political views without taking into consideration the effects of what they are saying, to the Church they are representing. Since they are leaders, Christians at that, they have to be sensitive enough to discern the things they may or may not say. They just have to follow Jesus' example. I'm sure Jesus had his own opinions on certain political issues, but refrained from expressing them because his business was for the salvation of souls. Let us build bridges and not walls/barriers.
Anne Marie S. De Chavez
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A response to: Nuns Invited to Help Poor by Drinking Tea
Fairtrade has been actively used for quite a while here in Portland Oregon, know for it's "green" mentality and I am happy to see that the Church is looking out for the poor by assisting the small farmer to sell products that are organically grown. Thanks for the article.
Annmarie Wright
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A response to: Bishops Weigh in on Holocaust-Denying Prelate
It was a horror to read about Bishop Williamson's denial of the Holocaust! I am glad the other bishops have readily spoken and provided the moral leadership the rest of us need. We must not let truth take a back seat to the goal of reconciliation. We should all pray that Bishop Williamson would acknowledge in his heart the error of his statement.
Trina Tonogbanua
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A response to: Nurse Suspended for Offering to Pray for Patient
In this day and age, being a nurse is admirable, a testament to the person's compassion for others. Having the willingness to pray for those in need -- and we all need -- is a double sign of unselfishness. The hospital at which this nurse works ought to engage their mind and look right through the complainer -- which appears likely to be a fellow-worker.
R. Soucy
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A response to: Respectfully Disagree
[Bishop Richard] Williamson expressed his own opinion on the Holocaust, which aren't the shared views of the Society of St. Pius X. As wrong as it may be, it wasn't the reason the excommunication was lifted. These are two separate circumstances and should be treated as that. The media loves to spin stories and people just eat it up.
I am a strong supporter of freedom of speech granted in important documents such as the U.S. Constitution and the U.N.'s Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Bishop Williamson never denied the Holocaust. He shared his misconstrued view of how many Jews he thought were actually killed and denied the use of gas chambers. We know his remarks were incorrect.
He made an apology and should do some kind of reparation -- such as visiting Auschwitz. You and I may disagree with his statements but people are entitled to their own views. Instead of throwing the first stone, how can we work with him? Taking action against him doesn't really solve the problem, does it?
Michael Magana
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Legionary Superior-General Regarding Founder's Life
"I Ask Forgiveness for All This Suffering"ROME, FEB. 7, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Here is the text of a letter from Father Álvaro Corcuera, superior-general of the Legionaries of Christ and Regnum Christi, in response to news released this week regarding the congregation's founder, the late Father Marcial Maciel.
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To all Regnum Christi members:
I am writing this letter in the presence of Christ in the Eucharist, thanking you for all your prayers and closeness - expressing the family spirit with which God in his infinite goodness has blessed us. In writing, I also want to express my most sincere and heartfelt support, as a brother whose only desire is to be with you, and to gather together with you around Christ, who is the center of our lives.
At this time, we want to look at everything from the vantage point of faith, hope and charity, and to act according to the heart of Christ who became flesh and redeemed us.
We are living a time of pain and suffering. And with this pain comes the experience of God's infinite love as he asks us to continue forward in peace and goodness, for all he wants is for us to know the happiness of being his children. In my own experience, I can say that whenever I am with you I can see the love of God in your hearts like a mirror that gives light to the lives of so many people and which joins us together as one family.
In the Eucharist, in prayer, I asked Jesus to help me find the right words to speak to you at this time. Humanly, it has not been easy, but in moments such as these he tells us: "Trust in me, place all in my heart." He loves us to the extreme, and cares for us as the Good Shepherd who never lets us fall prey to solitude and darkness. "Though I walk through a dark valley, I fear no evil, for the Lord is at my side" (Ps. 22/23:4).
I know that we all want to act, as St Paul says, in the truth, and we know that the crown of truth is charity. As St Augustine teaches: "Truth alone triumphs" and "The victory of truth is charity" (Sermon, 358:11). Charity bears all, believes all, hopes for all, endures all (cf. 1Cor. 13:7). It is the weight of love that will produce the response he wants so as to give peace to our souls.
As regards truth, the first thing we see in Christ's presence is that he is the Truth, which leads us to look at everything through him. In the present case, regarding the person of our Father Founder, I cannot but recognize all the good I received through him. Through the charism he passed on to us, many people have received from God what has given meaning to our lives: love for Christ, the Blessed Virgin, the Church, the Pope and souls. These are our loves. On a personal level, I am grateful to him for being the instrument God used to give my entire life meaning, seeking eternal salvation, the path to God. This is the truth I experienced, and it would be impossible to find enough words to thank him.
It is also true that he was a man, and these things that have hurt and surprised us-and I don't believe we can explain with our reason alone-have already been judged by God. It is true that we are going through much suffering and a great deal of pain. As in a family, these pains draw us together and lead us to suffer and rejoice as one body. This circumstance we are living invites us to look at everything with much faith, humility and charity. Thus we place it in the hands of God, who teaches us the way of infinite mercy.
For my part, I ask forgiveness for all this suffering. And I beg God with all my being to help us all to see it from the heart of Christ.
Truth, in charity, leads us to think, speak and act like Christ in everything. I know that whatever I say will never be enough, but I do want to express all my closeness, gratitude and prayers, with the certainty that "for the one who loves, EVERYTHING contributes to his good" (cf. Rom. 8:28).
The Blessed Virgin guides us. Some days ago, we went to the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe. There with several Movement members we prayed the Rosary. Mary welcomes us and surprises us with her love, and once again she speaks her words to our hearts: "My child, am I not here, who am your mother? Do not be afflicted or saddened."
I know that these reflections are general. These attitudes I have wanted to share with you are the answer I would like us to find in our hearts.
Let us look at everything through God, let us face forward, never stop, and never tire of doing good. These are times for holiness, humility, and charity. And in everything, let us be instruments of God to do good.
God bless you always!
Your affectionate brother in Christ and in the Movement,
Fr Alvaro Corcuera, LC
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Father Kearns Regarding Life of Father Maciel
"I Entrust His Soul to God's Infinite Mercy"ROME, FEB. 7, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Here is the text of a statement from Legionary of Christ Father Owen Kearns, publisher of the U.S.-based newspaper the National Catholic Register, in response to news released this week regarding the congregation's founder, the late Father Marcial Maciel.
* * *
The news about Father Marcial Maciel is particularly poignant for those who knew him. I am saddened and humbled.
I'm saddened first of all for all those hurt by his misdeeds. They need comfort only God can give; they need your prayers.
It's hard to reconcile all of this with the gratitude I still feel for my founder. The Holy Spirit speaks to my soul through Father Maciel's words. I owe my priesthood and my way of being a disciple of Jesus to Father Maciel's guidance and spirituality, and for that I will always be grateful. I entrust his soul to God's infinite mercy.
How to reconcile such contraries? When our spirit is in turmoil, we need to know where to turn. In prayer, and close to the Heart of Christ, is where we find peace.
As I said to a fellow Legionary, "It's not what we would have planned, is it?" But it is what God has allowed, and we know that "for those who love God, all things work together for good." All things, including these things.
At a recent meeting with superiors from various religious communities, I had to introduce myself. I hadn't planned on saying this, but the words just came tumbling out: "I'm Father Owen Kearns. I'm from the Legionaries of Christ. As you probably know, our founder died in disgrace about a year ago. So, we are not the untouchables. But we are comforted by the encouragement the Holy Father has given our superiors. And Cardinal Rodé [who is in charge of religious life] has told us to do two things. The first is to be faithful to our charism. And the second is to grow. And that's what we're trying to do."
I humbly ask for your support of the Legionaries and Regnum Christi members as we strive to do just that.
But pray first for those who have been hurt and for the Church we all love and serve.
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Father Berg Regarding Life of Father Maciel
"In Shock, Sorrow, and With a Humbled Spirit"ROME, FEB. 7, 2009 (Zenit.org).- Here is the text of a statement from Legionary of Christ Father Thomas Berg, executive director of the Westchester Institute for Ethics and the Human Person, in response to news released this week regarding the congregation's founder, the late Father Marcial Maciel.
* * *
Last Thursday evening I was informed that, after an internal investigation of the charges lodged against him, it had been discovered that my religious congregation's founder, Fr. Marcial Maciel Degollado fathered a child, who is now in her early 20s. Fr. Maciel founded the Legion in 1941. He died on January 30, 2008. On May 19, 2006, the Vatican released a communiqué requiring him to retire to a private life of penitence and prayer in light of numerous allegations brought before the Holy See, including accusations of sexual abuse of some of the first members of the congregation. At that time the Legion began its own internal investigation.
Given the near impossibility of ascertaining what happened over so many years (the earliest accusations would have been dated to the 1950's), and because I am not privy to the findings of any of these investigations, I do not know which of those earlier accusations might be true. Sadly, however, it seems evident that some of them must indeed be true.
In shock, sorrow, and with a humbled spirit, I want to express my deepest sorrow for anyone who, in any way, has been hurt by the moral failings of Fr. Maciel. Of my readers, I ask your prayers for each of them. They count not only on my prayers, but also on the personal acts of reparation that I intend to do to implore for each of them the grace, healing, and comfort that only God can give. I am so sorry for each of them, and for the scandal this has caused to the entire Church.
For the members of my religious family, the Legionaries of Christ, I humbly ask for your prayers as we discern the road ahead and strive, each in our way and apostolic work, to continue to serve Christ and his Church.
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