(ZENIT News / Christchurch, New Zealand, 15.07.2024).- Bishop Michael Gielen of Christchurch ordered the departure of the traditionalist Religious Community “Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer,” also known as “Transalpine Redemptorists,” from his dioceses in New Zealand. The decision, communicated in a Pastoral Letter, follows an Apostolic Visit by Australian Bishop Robert McGuckin, whose findings resulted in severe recommendations of the Vatican Dicastery for Religious.
The detonation of this action seems to have been a Report broadcast on New Zealand television in July of 2023, which alleged that the Community exercised unauthorized exorcisms, causing traumas to several individuals, including minors. Although the Community denied vehemently these accusations, affirming that all the exorcisms exercised had episcopal permission, and that no minor was subjected to these rites, the scandal was already underway.
According to “Newshub,” the news program that spread the Report, at least seven people were subjected to exorcisms, based on testimonies of former members of the Community, faithful and professionals of psychological support. The diocese confirmed that Bishop Gielen’s predecessor, Bishop Paul Martin, had approved exorcisms in only two specific cases.
Bishop Gielen’s Drastic Measures
In response to the concerns raised by the Report, Bishop Gielen suspended all permissions for exorcisms in August 2023, until further notice. Subsequently, he requested the Vatican for an exhaustive investigation, which was carried out by Bishop Emeritus Robert McGuckin in November of the same year.
The result of this investigation led Bishop Gielen to take the drastic measure to expel the “Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer” from the diocese and reiterate all authority to his priests to exercise the priestly ministry in the region. In his Pastoral Letter, Bishop Gielen stressed that these actions were based on the recommendations received from the Vatican Dicastery after an Apostolic Visit.
Who Are the “Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer”?
The history of the “Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer” is marked by their return to fll communion with the Catholic Church during Pope Benedict XVI’s pontificate. In 2008, after Benedict XVI facilitated the celebration of the Pre-Conciliar Liturgy as “extraordinary form of the Roman Rite” in 2007. Initially linked to the Lefebvrists, the Community was recognized as a Religious Order under the diocesan law in the Diocese of Aberdeen in Scotland in 2012, where they have their main headquarters. They were present in New Zealand since 2007.
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