POPE FRANCIS OFFERS FORGIVENESS TO LEGION OF CHRIST SEX ABUSERS

Pope Francis Offers Forgiveness to Legion of Christ Sex Abusers

Pope Francis has offered "plenary indulgence" to the Legion of Christ.

Published 30 October 2015 (13 hours 12 minutes ago)


Members from the Legion of Christ, which operates in over 20 countries, has long been facing accusations of sexual abuse and pedophilia.

Pope Francis said he will grant religious pardon to the ultra-conservative Legion of Christ movement — which has faced years of pedophilia and sexual abuse accusations — provided its members perform acts of penance.

The pope granted “plenary indulgence” (a way to reduce the amount of punishment one has to undergo for sins) to the group Thursday in response to a request by Legion of Christ leader Father Eduardo Robles Gil Orvañanos, reported Vatican News.

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The Legion of Christ, which operates in over 20 countries, has long been facing accusations of sexual abuse, with some cases leading back to the 1940s.

In 2006, the leader's founder Marcial Maciel stepped down amid allegations of pedophilia and fathering several children. The Mexican-born Catholic priest was removed from his ministry by Pope Benedict XVI in 2006 and ordered to spend the rest of his days in prayer and penance. Maciel never faced charges in civilian courts and passed away in 2008.

Other scandals have also plagued the church. In August, the Chilean government deported Irish priest and local Legion of Christ leader John O'Reilly after he was accused of sexually abusing a young girl.

“After the huge scandal provoked by its hellish past” the Legion of Christ group “has begun a period of purification and renewal,” said Vatican Radio.

A periodic indulgence was granted to the Legion of Christ since its in its jubilee year, celebrating the order's 75th anniversary, which will begin next month and end in June.

However, for more long term pardon, the order will need to undergo a series of acts of penance.

“The plenary indulgence will be granted if they dedicate a sufficient amount of time to the corporal or spiritual works of mercy … if the members dedicate time to learning or teaching Christian doctrine, or if they participate in evangelisation missions,” added the Vatican radio.

The announcement comes as Pope Francis prepares for his first visit to Mexico, where the Legion of Christ was founded in 1940 and where its largest base remains.

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AFP-UPI-Vatican News

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