AN ISSUE THAT DOES NOT INVOLVE SIMPLY NEW ORLEANS

EVEN IN FAITH THERE MAY BE EVIL
Today in the Times Picayune I read the story of Regnum Christi’s leader, the deceased Marcial Maciel Degollado. The history of this individual has long been questioned and now some of the truth has been admitted by those who have succeeded him in leadership of Regnum Christi.
Without a doubt, this has devastated the members of this program in our area and others. However, the immediate result is not a destruction of their faith but an assault by individuals who have long ago given up their faith in the Catholic Church and blamed it on the issue of pedophilia of some priests.
Having known many priests over the years, including those in the episcopacy, from my early childhood until today, I will state that at no time did anyone of them make any advances to me as a child or as an adult. Now, evidence will prove that this is not true in all cases. However, the immediate presumption that all priests are pedophiles or in violation of their vows is wrong.
In our society there are many religions that face the same problems as the Catholic Church but few of them are so vilified as the Catholic Church. One must wonder why?
Do I agree with the acts of some members of the episcopacy that violated the trust of the members of the church by hiding the acts of these men? NO!!!! They should have taken immediate action to remove them from their positions and advised the proper authorities IF there had been a violation of the law, particularly that of pedophilia. This is the major mistake that the Catholic Church’s leaders made.
Now, they are attempting to overcome this by an extensive and exhaustive method of try to assess all priests, deacons, religious, and volunteers in the parishes. The exhaustive method chosen is unfortunately demeaning to many – both those who are clergy and religious and those who are lay persons. However, it is an attempt to disclose facts but it is not a guarantee that these issues will not arise.
In the case of Regnum Christi, the Church failed a long time ago to listen to disclosures and to take the necessary actions. The members of the movement, many whom I know, are well meaning individuals of faith and leaders in their parishes. This disclosure cannot be used to criticize them or to characterize them in a demeaning manner. The Catholic Church must reach out to them and apologize for its failure to take actions which should have been taken some time ago. Will the Regnum Christi and the Legion of Christ be destroyed? I do not believe so.
However, it is time for the Catholic Church to analyze its requirement of celibacy for ordination to the priesthood. It is time to recognize that those who are married and those who are celibate may both serve the Church as priests as well as permanent deacons. As the original priests of the Church were both married and single, so should the priests, bishops, etc., of the Church today.
However, one must remember that even this will not eliminate the issue of pedophilia and adultery, etc. that exists today. We see it also in other faiths. However, this may give the church more men who are willing to be vocal about certain issues than those who are now priests. I remember telling one priest to report what he knew and his response was that it might ruin his “career”. The call to the religious life, the priesthood, the diaconate, etc. should not be viewed as a career but as a personal call to serve those who are in need, whatever that need may be. If anything, I hope this will be taken in the manner in which it is posed – food for thought by all.