January 8, 2021

Letter from Fr. Shawn Aaron, LC, to all members of Regnum Christi

 

January 8, 2021

Dear friends in Christ,

Please receive my warm greetings and prayers as we end the Christmas season and begin this new year of 2021.  In light of what we have experienced in this past week, I first want to invite you to join me in praying for the healing of division and wounds in our world today, and in a special way here in the United States.

The Solemnity of the Epiphany, which we celebrated just days ago, recalls how the Magi recognized Christ present in the world, and how after they encountered him, they were changed. Humbly they worshipped him, and setting aside their own plans, they set out on the long journey back home, “by another way.”(Matthew 2:12)

As Legionaries of Christ, we have had our own “epiphany” over the last decade. God has revealed himself to us in a deep way, he has been present with us, and in his merciful love, he has asked us to follow a new road of humility, conversion, and reparation.  While we celebrate the gift of God in the renewal of the constitutions of the Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ, it is important to acknowledge that we still find ourselves walking a path on which our Lord is purifying us, correcting errors, and healing wounds which have been caused by the abuse and grave sins of our historical founder and other Legionaries over the course of our history.

On December 21st, 2019, we released the “Report 1941-2019 on the Phenomenon of Sexual Abuse of Minors in the Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ from its Founding to the Present Day.” It was the result of an extensive study carried out by an internal commission which, within the limits of a study of this nature, verified the various accusations of sexual abuse of minors throughout the history of the Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ. It collected the global statistics of cases of abuse by its priests between 1941 and 2019, and included an Appendix with the steps taken to prevent future abuse and guarantee safe environments. On the same day, my predecessor, Fr. John Connor, LC, released a communication compiling the previously released names of Legionaries of Christ who were active in ministry with substantiated sexual abuse allegations in the United States into a list.

One month later, Fr. John again addressed the territory in a letter saying, “Since the Legionaries of Christ released the December 2019 report on the history of abuse in the Congregation, it has reopened wounds for victims and it has generated a lot of conversation. But it has also helped victims of abuse find their voices and the courage to come forward to share their experiences. We must pray that these victims receive the healing they need and that those who are still trying to find the courage to come forward are able to find it. This is an important part of the healing process for victims and it’s important for the Congregation to listen to the experiences of victims so that we can make reparation and be further purified.”

In his letter, Fr. John also affirmed that facing our history with determination and helping victims heal is an important part of our mission as a Congregation, not a distraction from it. It is what God is calling us to at this point in our history. We are committed to transparency about the abuse that has been perpetrated by Legionaries of Christ, to working towards a culture in which all our priests deeply understand the effects of sexual abuse and their role as spiritual fathers dedicated to nourishing God’s people, and to helping those who have been harmed to heal from their wounds.

The 5th General Chapter of the Legionaries of Christ began a month after that report was released, and the Chapter Fathers gave priority to addressing this issue. “Conversion and Reparation” and “Protect and Heal” are the documents the General Chapter used to outline our path forward. They express a commitment to transparency which includes a communication policy for the publication of the names of Legionaries guilty of abuse of minors, and establishes sanctions for those guilty of failing to report or of obstructing the proper handling of sexual abuse cases.

In 2020 we began taking some new steps to foster a deeper conversion in our hearts. We prayed a global novena to the Sacred Heart, asking for the forgiveness of our sins and for the healing of those who have been hurt by our Congregation. This novena ended on a day of public reparation in which hundreds of thousands of viewers around the world joined us as we offered 24 Masses and 24 rosaries in 24 hours specifically for the victims of abuse by Legionaries of Christ and for the ongoing purification of the Congregation. Later in the year, all priests in our territory participated in a conference during which three victims of sexual abuse shared their testimonies and the impact that their wounds have had on their lives and the lives of their loved ones. I met with all superiors to discuss their roles in building a culture of accountability and transparency, and every community has had frank discussions around safe environment issues. To ensure we are doing everything possible to address the needs of victims, we have also hired a pastoral care advocate whose role is to provide assistance to victims of sexual abuse as a compassionate first contact who will work with them to document their allegations.

You have my firm assurance that this Congregation is committed to our ongoing mission of conversion, to reparation for the sins of abuse perpetrated by its members, and to doing everything possible to support the healing of victims. We will not tolerate abuse. We are firmly pledged to creating and maintaining safe environments for minors and vulnerable adults who have contact with Legionaries, and who participate in our activities. We ask for forgiveness from all who have been hurt by the actions of our members, and from all those who came forward bravely in past years to report abuse but were not believed, or were even maligned. We are truly sorry.

The ongoing international effort of the Congregation to clarify the cases of abuse in its history took the “Report 1941-2019” as a starting point, and is now nearing the completion of the work necessary to follow through on the commitment made in numbers 27-29 of “Protect and Heal.” In light of “Protect and Heal,” and the advances made on an international level, later this year the North American Territory will be updating the published list of the Legionaries against whom there are substantiated allegations of sexual abuse of minors in the territory. In the future, should more victims come forward with new allegations that are substantiated by third-party investigations, we will update the North American territorial list.

As territorial director, and as a priest, please know that I am deeply sorry for the horrific wounds caused by abuse on the part of Legionaries of Christ and by the Congregation’s past denial of the reality of that abuse. I am here to listen to anyone who would like to speak about their experiences. I also encourage anyone who has been abused by a member of the Legionaries of Christ to contact the appropriate authorities, regardless of when the alleged abuse occurred, and to contact the Legionaries of Christ’s Pastoral Care Advocate for the North American Territory, Abby Saunders, using the information below. Abby may also be contacted with complaints regarding any misconduct or sexual abuse of a minor or vulnerable adult by a Legionary of Christ.

Abby Saunders, Program Coordinator for Pastoral Care
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (678) 467-9348.

Nikki Hittle, MSW, our Safe Environments Coordinator, is also available for questions regarding our safe environments policies and procedures.

Nikki Hittle, MSW, Safe Environments Coordinator
Email: [email protected]
Phone: (770) 802-0058

We know that abuse of any kind causes lasting pain and damage for the abused and their families, as well as the larger Catholic, Legionary, and Regnum Christi communities. We continue to offer our compassion, prayers, and support for all victims of abuse, and we will strive to make sure the mistakes of the past are not repeated.

Yours in Christ,

Fr. Shawn Aaron, LC

Territorial Director of the Legionaries of Christ

North American Territory

 

 

Legionaries of Christ Rapid Response Plan: Policy and Procedures for Dealing with an Allegation of Sexual Abuse of Minors

Code of Conduct of the Legionaries of Christ

Members of the Religious Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ Who Were Active in Ministry with Substantiated Sexual Abuse Allegations in the United States

 

 

Letter from Fr. Shawn Aaron, LC, to all members of Regnum Christi Read More »

Regnum Christi Spirituality Center Ask a Priest

“Ask a Priest: Could I Marry Validly If I Don’t Want Kids?”

Q: I was raised in a practicing Catholic household. I strongly believe in God but haven’t always agreed with everything that the Catholic faith teaches. Since graduating school, I have not been attending religious services as often as I probably should have. Recently, my boyfriend and I have been thinking about getting married. So far, we have been practicing spirituality and living our lives in accordance with Catholic morals, so I feel strong in my faith in that respect. However, when it comes to wedding planning I feel a bit torn. I do appreciate the religious community of the Church, and I want my wedding to be recognized in the eyes of the Church. However, I just can’t bring myself to agree 100% with the Church’s views on marriage requirements, such as being open to have children, when that is something I don’t want. I just don’t know if I can go through a ceremony agreeing to values I wouldn’t want to practice. I want to live my life in a manner that is pleasing to God, and it worries me that my marriage would be sinful if not in the Church. I feel that would upset my family as well. I’ve been praying to try to ask God what he wants for me, but I’m still conflicted. What is the right thing to do in this situation? – N.B.

Answered by Fr. Edward McIlmail, LC

A: It’s good that you are honest enough to admit that you don’t want children.

Not being open to children would normally be an impediment to a Church wedding.

Marriage is created by God with a twofold dimension: unitive for the spouses, and procreative.

That means that a couple has to be open to life in order to enter a valid marriage.

To deliberately rule out children would be, in effect, to slam the door on God’s beautiful and wise plan for marriage.

At a deeper level, perhaps, the fear of children can reflect a lack of hope in the future. Or a lack of trust in God’s providence. It could also reflect selfishness, though I am not sure of the reasons behind your own thoughts on the issue.

It might be good to step back and look at the big picture. You say that you strongly believe in God, but that you don’t agree with all the Church’s teachings. Jesus founded the Church, in part, to teach us the truths revealed by God.

So to have a problem with Church teaching on marriage is to have a problem with God’s teaching on marriage.

It might be good to try to go a little deeper into the theology of marriage.

You and your friend might want to view our “Three Hearts” online retreat together.

You might want to read a few Catholic books on marriage. Websites such as this one recommend many fine books.

In the meantime it might help to intensify your prayer life and sacramental life (including regular Mass attendance), and to find a solid, regular confessor or spiritual director to guide you.

And be open with any priest or deacon or layperson you might encounter in a marriage-prep course. Count on my prayers, OK?

Keep learning more with Ask a Priest

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Alex Kucera

Atlanta

Alex Kucera has lived in Atlanta, GA, for the last 46 years. He is one of 9 children, married to his wife Karmen, and has 3 girls, one grandson, and a granddaughter on the way. Alex joined Regnum Christi in 2007. Out of the gate, he joined the Helping Hands Medical Missions apostolate and is still participating today with the Ghana Friendship Mission.

In 2009, Alex was asked to be the Atlanta RC Renewal Coordinator for the Atlanta Locality to help the RC members with the RC renewal process. Alex became a Group Leader in 2012 for four of the Atlanta Men’s Section Teams and continues today. Running in parallel, in 2013, Alex became a Team Leader and shepherded a large team of good men.

Alex was honored to be the Atlanta Mission Coordinator between 2010 to 2022 (12 years), coordinating 5-8 Holy Week Mission teams across Georgia. He also created and coordinated missions at a parish in Athens, GA, for 9 years. Alex continues to coordinate Holy Week Missions, Advent Missions, and Monthly missions at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Cumming, GA.

From 2016 to 2022, Alex also served as the Men’s Section Assistant in Atlanta. He loved working with the Men’s Section Director, the Legionaries, Consecrated, and Women’s Section leadership teams.

Alex is exceptionally grateful to the Legionaries, Consecrated, and many RC members who he’s journeyed shoulder to shoulder, growing his relationship with Christ and others along the way. He knows that there is only one way, that’s Christ’s Way, with others!