There is no sign that former pope
John Paul II knew of the sex abuse scandal involving disgraced
cleric Marcial Maciel and his Legionaries of Christ
organization, a proponent of the Polish pope's canonization said
Tuesday.
An investigation produced "maximum clarity" on the issue,
said the postulator of his sainthood on Sunday when both John
Paul as well as former pope Paul XXIII will be made saints.
Concerns were raised about John Paul's connections with the
disgraced Legionaries and its leader, who the former had
repeatedly endorsed.
The group was put under watch by the Vatican in 2010 after
Maciel was removed from its leadership for decades of sexual
abuse against boys and fathering several children, two of whom
he also abused.
Church probes have since confirmed nine other priests in
the organization sexually abused children and at least 10 more
are still under investigation.
The scandal tainted the pontificate of John Paul, sparking
accusations of ignoring public reports about the group as early
as the 1990s of abuse that began in the 1980s.
The Legionaries of Christ apologized in a statement in
February for the actions of the group and its founder, who died
in 2008.
"We want to express our deep sorrow for the abuse of
seminarians, minors, immoral acts committed on men and women,
the arbitrary use of its authority and property, for the
enormous consumption of drugs," said the general chapter of the
Legionaries of Christ.
The group said it rejects his immorality and expressed
"deep sadness" at the initial refusal to accept the testimony of
Maciel's victims.
"We ask forgiveness for these deficiencies that have
increased the pain and bewilderment of many," they said, adding
their thanks that former pope Benedict XVI saved the
organization.
Maciel was stripped of his leadership role and ordered to a
life of prayer and penitence by John Paul's successor Benedict
XVI in 2006.
Known to encourage recruitment of priests and new
followers, the Legionaries count over 950 priests and 70,000 lay
members worldwide, primarily in Latin America, the home of
Argentine Pope Francis.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA