ROME, OCT. 19, 2011 (Zenit.org).- The papal delegate leading the Legion of Christ has announced the conclusion of the visitation to the consecrated members of the congregation’s lay branch, Regnum Christi, indicating that there will be greater autonomy between the priestly congregation and the consecrated.
The Oct. 15 letter from Cardinal Velasio De Paolis reported that the apostolic visitor, Archbishop Ricardo Blázquez of Valladolid, turned in his report at the beginning of September.
«A positive point that emerges from the apostolic visitation is that at a personal level the consecrated members are grateful for their vocation and live their consecration to God according to the evangelical counsels with joy, aware that they render a valuable service to the Church with their self-giving,» the cardinal wrote.
But, he said, issues regarding personal and community life «appear to be many and challenging.»
Regarding the link with the Legionaries, Cardinal De Paolis said there is in general a «positive judgment» because of «the good fruits that this has borne in the apostolate, for which we thank the Lord.»
«At the same time, more than a few points surface that need to be clarified and perhaps rethought,» the 76-year-old cardinal added. «In particular the visitation showed that there is a widespread desire among the consecrated persons for a proper autonomy, which the consecrated persons should enjoy.»
For now, the cardinal announced that all «important decisions» regarding the consecrated, including admissions of new consecrated persons, or dismissal or dispensation from promises, or transfers, would need his approval as pontifical delegate.
He suspended the role of priest-delegates for the consecrated, transferring their functions to the general director’s assistants, who are themselves consecrated.
Cardinal De Paolis also reiterated the «freedom of the consecrated women and men in the choice of confessors and spiritual director, as well as in manifesting their conscience to their directors and to the general director of the Legionaries (cf. canon 630 of the Code of Canon Law).»
The cardinal concluded with an exhortation to «begin and walk this path of personal and community reflection in an environment of prayer, dialogue, and respect in order to bring to completion the beautiful reality of consecrated life in Regnum Christi in the Church.»
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Full text of letter: http://legrc.org/regnum_db/archivosWord_db/de_paolis_2011-10-15_eng.pdf
