Thank you for the links.

The problem with the NCR article is that it is not in part factual. Father M. has not been found guilty.

There has been no canonical process. There has been no trial. The accusers have not stepped forward in a court. They have not been examined by attorney's for Father M .The accusations have not been made public. The evidence in support of the accusations remains hidden.

Father M. has been the subject of accusations of misconduct for about 50 years now. The public accusations against Father M. range from drug running to sodomy. We do not know which accusations have carried weight with the Vatican.

Has Father M. been given a copy of the accusations which led to the Vatican announcement?

It may have well been wise for the Vatican to have acted as it did in this matter.

However we may have to wait for the final judgment to get to the truth of the matter.

God bless

Richard W. Comerford
Richard W. Comerford | 05.20.06 - 5:53 pm | #

The NCR makes too much of Fr. Maciel, whose case is exceptional. For the most part, the Vatican has had little direct involvement in the Scandal since this is a matter for individual diocess to address with the support of episcopal conferences. The American bishops, for the most part, failed to deal with the issue and are compounding their initial failures by implementing policies that constitute in themselves child abuse.
Charles R. Williams | 05.21.06 - 10:32 am | #

So, as Catholics, we must continue to pray that The Holy Spirit will continue to guide the Church through faith-filled human beings.
And we must pray for any victims, for their total healing through Jesus Christ.
And we must pray for our brother in Christ, Marcial Maciel, for repentance of all sin and transformation of his heart to be like Christ.
Karen | 05.21.06 - 4:02 pm | #

Richard: you must understand what a Motu Propio is. It IS a canonical procedure. This has taken the proper forms (though delayed for decades by stone-walling). This is a judgement, though in a church court following its protocols. You must understand the procedure before making your claim. The Legion continues its disinformation campaign: remember the Legion said there was NO inquiry. Now it says it was dropped. ZENIT cannot speak freely.
Giselle | Homepage | 05.22.06 - 12:28 pm | #