Miami diocese gives Legion and Regnum Christ the boot

the news broke today...announced by Zenit which is or used to be a Legion conduit.

They were kicked out for not abiding by agreements with bishop, by contravening rules laid out for them. They usually think they are above the rules and above the local bishop. Well, guess what, some bishops are sick of being deceived.

We all know about Fr. Jonathan Morris leaving the Legion

and going to an obscure parish in NY

From Old St Patrick's Parish Bulletin, 28 June, 2009:
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Welcome, Fr. Jonathan Morris, LC


Fr. Morris will join our pastoral

team here at St. Patrick’s starting

July 1. While writing a new book

and continuing his work as a religion

commentator for Fox News

Channel, Fr. Morris will assist us for

six months or more with the celebration

of the sacraments, pastoral care

and special projects.

He will reside at Our Lady of

Loretto on Elizabeth Street.

Fr. Morris grew up in Cleveland,

Ohio. After obtaining a degree in

business at Franciscan University,

he entered the seminary at 21 years

of age to become a member of the Legionaries of Christ.

Among his accomplishments in 15 years of priesthood,: Vice-

Rector of his order’s seminary in Rome, advisor to the filming

of the Passion of the Christ and author of a book entitled, The

Promise: God's Purpose and Plan for When Life Hurts. Currently

he is a religion news commentator. Perhaps, you can

catch him on Fox News Channel (cable) before you get to

meet him in July.

Welcoming Reception

Join us at a reception for Fr. Morris in the courtyard in front of

32 Prince Street (school building) starting at

6:00 PM. There will be food and drink and an opportunity for

the parish to express its thanks to God for a new member of

the parish team. We hope that Father Morris will enjoy being

with us. Please come and make him

feel welcome.

Fr. Thomas Maher, Gateway, Leaves Legion

Image of Fr. Maher. He tells us he is not escaping. He is leaving through the main door, proudly leaving behind 23 years in the Legion to go to a parish; a move sanctioned by his superiors, he tells us.

Fr. Maher's message to Gateway Academy families contains a typo, "pray" instead of "prayer". Was he in a hurry, under stress...? He says he is still a Legionary. But he will not be living in a LC religious community. So will he still be a religious without being in a religious community? Is he taking a leave of absense from the Legion, officially remaining a member?. He still  sounds like a Legionary, because of this unclear double talk. But let's give him time to find his senses.

Question: is this the same diocese that accepted Fr. Stephen Fichter exLC many years ago.

Fr. Maher's ad lit message  follows:

Dear Gateway families,

I've been in the Legion for 23 years. It's been a very fulfilling time in my life, particularly the time spent at Gateway Academy.
Through pray and discernment, I've asked for the opportunity to work in a parish and have been assigned in the Diocese of New Jersey. I remain a member of the congregation of the Legion of Christ [bolded by poster], and am grateful for the years I have worked in the many apostolates of the Legion.
I am thankful to all of you for allowing me to be a part of your life. I ask that you keep me in your prayers and know that you will always be in mine.
God bless,
Fr. Thomas Maher, LC

Successfully transitioning Fr. Stephen Fichter Publishes with America

With great pleasure I have learned that former Legionary of Christ priest, Stephen Fichter, has published an excellent article with America magazine, When Priests leave the Church. Kudos, Stephen.

Fr. Stephen is one of those Legionaries who have made an successful treansition to the diocesan priesthood, thus setting an example, giving hope and modelling for the many others who are leaving and will leave. Some will want to continue in the priesthood and/or religious life. It can be done. Do not believe the horror stories you are told while still in. There are many bishops who need good priests, and many Catholics who need good pastors. Being bilingual/bicultural makes you more marketable...

Exiting members need time to adjust to life outside the cult but transition to the priesthood, to the religious life, to marriage and to single life can be achieved.  We are all good folks, from good families, who idealistically entered a very dysfunctional family. There is plenty of life, healthy life, outside the Legion and the Regnum.

I hope that is what the present Vatican Investigation will emphatically state.