Cardinal Velasio De Paolis, Pontifical Delegate of the Legionaries of Christ, has accepted the resignation of Fr. Deomar De Guedes LC, a general counselor of the order.
Fr. De Guedes said he resigned from the Council because he did not have the necessary energy to confront the challenges of the position.
Fr. De Guedes had asked the Pontifical Delegate to be exclaustrated from the Legion, but Cardinal De Paolis granted him permission to resign “extra domum,” meaning Fr. De Guedes may reside outside of the religious community for one year. The Cardinal asked Fr. De Guedes to re-evaluate his situation during that year in light of the new superiors who will be elected in the next General Chapter.
The General Chapter will begin on January 8, 2014, and is an important step in the Legion’s renewal and purification process called for by Pope Benedict XVI and confirmed by Pope Francis.
The Cardinal named Fr. De Guedes to the Legion General Council in February, 2012. Ordinarily the Council is made up of six members. Because the Legion of Christ’s General Chapter is approaching in a few months and six new counselors will be elected at that time, Fr. Deomar will not be replaced at present.
Fr. Sylvester Heereman LC, the acting general director of the Legion, said he respects Fr. De Guedes’ decision, and is grateful for his active collaboration in the process of renewing the Legion of Christ.
