ROME, NOV. 22, 2010 (Zenit.org).- The Legionaries of Christ announced today three key decisions taken by Cardinal Velasio De Paolis, the pontifical delegate for the Legionaries of Christ and the Regnum Christi Movement, together with the Legionaries’ general council.
First, the Legion has temporarily expanded the general council. «Since the task of revising the constitutions that the Legionaries of Christ must undertake is so important, the congregation’s religious and priests will be given greater representation in the general council,» a statement post on the Legion’s Web site stated.
«In accord with the authority that the Holy Father has granted him,» the statement explained, «Cardinal De Paolis has overruled, on a one-time basis, the canons of the constitutions of the Legionaries of Christ stipulating the number of general councilors, so that there will be seven members instead of five.»
The Legion said Cardinal De Paolis will name the two new general councilors at the beginning of 2011.
Second, Father Alvaro Corcuera, the general director of the Legion, appointed Father Oscar Nader as the new territorial director for Italy, which was previously occupied by Father Luis Garza.
Father Nader, 52, has been a territorial councilor for Italy since 2005.
The move was made «in order to respect with greater clarity the distinction between governance on the general level and that on the territorial level,» the Legion stated.
Father Luis Garza also serves as the vicar general and as the general director’s delegate to the Regnum Christi consecrated women.
Third, Father Corcuera appointed Father José Enrique Oyarzún as the new general dean of studies, a post also previously occupied by Father Luis Garza.
The Legion explained that the post of the general dean of studies consists of «helping the general director and his council in everything relating to studies, ongoing formation, and the doctrinal integrity of the congregation’s members.»
Father Oyarzún, 40, has a doctorate in dogmatic theology, and since 2008, he has worked in the general dean of studies’ office and has taught dogmatic theology at the Pontifical Regina Apostolorum College.
