From a letter written by Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Secretary of State to His Holiness, and posted today on the Legion of Christ website:
The Holy Father is aware of the noble ideals that inspire you and the fortitude and prayerful spirit with which you are facing the current vicissitudes, and he encourages you to continue seeking the good of the Church and society by means of your own distinctive initiatives and institutions. In this regard, you can always count on the help of the Holy See, so that with truth and transparency, in a climate of fraternal and constructive dialogue, you will overcome the present difficulties. In this respect, the Holy Father has decided to carry out an Apostolic Visitation to the institutions of the Legionaries of Christ through a team of Prelates.
As I unite myself with the Holy Father’s sentiments, I entrust all Legionaries and Regnum Christi members to the motherly protection of Our Lady of Guadalupe, and I take the opportunity to express to you once more my best wishes and esteem in Christ.
Read the entire letter, as well as a letter from Fr. Alvaro Corcuera, LC, General Director of the Legion.
I noticed on other blogs that, indeed, it has taken nearly three weeks for the LC to mention that a papal visitation is coming. Didn't they care enough to announce it weeks ago? Are they too incompetent to get a press statement out in a couple of days? Was there going on an (abandoned?) attempt to spin the news or to avoid the vistation?
Three weeks. These guys just don't get it.
Posted by: Ed Peters | Tuesday, March 31, 2009 at 11:13 AM
I would think it normal for an organization to give internal notice, before releasing the news to the public. Given that translations would need to be made, approved by both parties, press releases coordinated to be released in several countries simultaneously, that it took 3 weeks doesn't seem to be an inordinate period of time for the release.
In any case, this is good news, and one would hope that the Legion of Christ and Regnum Christi emerge purified and renewed after collaborating fully in the apostolic visitation.
Posted by: Rachelle | Tuesday, March 31, 2009 at 12:36 PM
Maybe so, R, maybe so.
A friend also reminds me not to take dates on Roman letters too seriously. Stuff gets back-dated, left on a desk for a week, and sent to a post office that might, or might not, open for several days running. I know that some stuff gets dated X because "Gee, wouldn't it be nice if this came out on the feast of So-and-So." WhaddawaytarunnaChurch. :)
Posted by: Ed Peters | Tuesday, March 31, 2009 at 01:17 PM