The Legion of Christ Updates Its Child Protection Policy Following the General Chapter

(ZENIT News / Rome, 10.19.2026).- In a letter sent to all Legionaries of Christ, Father Carlos Gutiérrez, L.C., Director General of the Congregation, explained that «this publication represents an important step in the journey the Congregation has been undertaking to consolidate a culture of safeguarding, care, and responsibility. The document incorporates the experience gained over these years, as well as best practices that have been adopted within the Church and within our own institutional life.»

Growing Through Personal, Communal, and Institutional Conversion

In his communication, Father Gutiérrez emphasized that «‘Protect and Heal’ should not be viewed merely as a set of rules. It is intended to help us grow through a personal, communal, and institutional conversion, one that translates into guiding principles for daily life, healthy and respectful relationships, and truly safe environments within our communities, institutions, and apostolates.»

«I ask all Legionaries to receive this document with a spirit of openness and a willingness to learn about it, internalize it, and apply it faithfully, as appropriate,» he states.

Six Years of Learning

The 2026 General Chapter assessed the document and its implementation since it was first promulgated in 2020. In its Chapter Communiqué, it acknowledged that progress has been made on several fronts: the establishment of a culture of care rooted within the communities; the implementation of protocols for prevention and for the support of victims; and the production of annual reports that provide accountability regarding events, commitments, and the challenges encountered in addressing complaints and reporting cases. According to the General Chapter, none of this would have been possible without the participation of independent experts, collaborators, members of Regnum Christi, and, most importantly, the victims who shared their testimonies and observations.

Acknowledging Errors and Asking for Forgiveness

The General Chapter also acknowledged that «the document and its implementation have not been free from errors,» and that «there were instances where the necessary care for victims was not provided with the promptness or sensitivity they deserved.» In other cases, «the legitimate desire for transparency and reparation for those affected could not always be reconciled with the universal law of the Church, specifically regarding the respect due to the presumption of innocence and the good reputation of the accused.» It was also admitted that some religious members found guilty of these offenses «have felt alone, and even abandoned, during their judicial proceedings and while serving the penalties imposed upon them.»

To all those who have suffered as a result of these errors, as well as their families, the General Chapter, on behalf of the entire Legion, sincerely asks for forgiveness and renews its commitment to learn, henceforth, from these events. 

Aligned with Current Canon Law

The update to “Protect and Heal “was carried out by a working group and reviewed by canonists to ensure it met the objectives mandated by the General Chapter.

The update retains its three foundational pillars — prevention, support for victims, and the pursuit of justice for all involved –, while incorporating the Church’s most recent normative developments: the reform of Book VI of the Code of Canon Law; the Vademecum from the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith regarding the sexual abuse of minors by clerics; updates to Sacramentorum Sanctitatis Tutela and Vos Estis Lux Mundi, as well as guidelines from the Dicastery for Legislative Texts concerning the protection of a person’s good name and the rights of the accused.

Future Updates

The 2026 General Chapter decided to delegate to the Director General the authority to promulgate and update this document moving forward; it will no longer be necessary to wait for a new General Chapter for the Congregation to incorporate into the document any changes that may arise in Canon or Civil Law.

With this update, the Legion of Christ reaffirms that the protection of the most vulnerable, the pursuit of truth and justice, and the accompaniment of those who have been wounded will continue to hold a central place in its mission, as expressed in the 2026 Chapter Communiqué.

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