CatholicVoteAction.org

This is a breaking story.

Miles Jesu has communities in the United States in the Archdiocese of Chicago, Diocese of Phoenix, and also operates in the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church. In England the group operates in the Diocese of Westminster. It is a community of both consecrated men and lay associates (”Vinculum”).

Yesterday they issued a statement on the homepage of their website. Evidently they have just finished completing an Apostolic Visitation. The situation affords many parallels with the recent visitation undergone by the Legionaries of Christ. Here is the most important part of thecommuniqué:

In a Decree issued on March 25, 2009, Cardinal Agostino Vallini, the Pope’s Vicar for the Diocese of Rome, named me, Fr. Barry Fischer, C.PP.S., as Commissary for Miles Jesu invested with full authority. The mandate is to write a new Constitution which defines the charism, spirituality, and apostolic nature of the Institute; to develop adequate vocational discernment and formation policies (ratio formationis); to review the financial policies, and in general to completely revise all its practices and customs.

During the past seventeen months, I have worked closely with the membership in pursuit of this mandate, as well as with former members who have left during or after the Apostolic Visitation. In time it has become clear and undeniable, that the Founder, Fr. Alfonso Durán, presented erratic behaviors that were totally beyond the scope of the powers given to him. Some members have identified wounds caused by the inappropriate exercise of authority under his leadership. The mistaken sense of allegiance and obedience instilled in the membership facilitated his behavior, which was totally unacceptable and not in accord with the discipline of the Church nor supportable in any way by a healthy sense of consecrated life.

Members who challenged his actions or behavior were often ostracized. The internal discipline and customs of the Institute provided protection for the Founder. It must be said in justice, that most of the members had no idea of the improper conduct of the Founder. Some of the allegations against Fr. Duran are hearsay and have not been verified. However, many are factual. It is important for all that the truth be disclosed, which is the reason for this public statement.

I have several quick observations to make:

• In sharp contrast with the situation of the Legionaries, it does not appear that Fr. Alfonso Duran, founder of Miles Jesu, was guilty of grave sexual sin. Rather, his infraction was “authoritarian” in nature. In other words, he considered himself above some of the laws of the Church, and used this false sense of authority to the detriment of those in consecrated life.
• As in the case of the Legion, Milus Jesu struggles with an accurately-defined charism, proper discernment techniques and practices, possible financial misdealings, and lack of competent oversight concerning its practices and customs.
• These failings have resulted in many members of the religious community leaving the order.
• As with the Legion, many in Milus Jesu live worthy lives dedicated to pursuing the will of God. The purpose of the visitation has been to free them of the harmful practices that are keeping them from living their vocation fully.
• On behalf of the Church, the visitator (Fr. Barry Fischer, CPPS): has “expressed [his] deep concern for all those members, former members and family members who may have been hurt in the past due to the manner in which authority was exercised.” He is also thankful for the courage of those who made the problems within the order known to the Holy See.

The final paragraph of the communiqué is instructive:

Though this communication may come as a surprise and be painful to many members, Vinculum members, and friends of Miles Jesu, the truth cannot be hidden. Only in truth can a better and healthier future for Miles Jesu be achieved. The work of renewal is already in progress and there is enthusiasm for the future that the members are building together. United in prayer and in fraternal love, and assured of the Church’s motherly care, we will get through this time of difficulty and come to the dawning of a new day. We walk towards that day in hope and trust in God’s loving care and protection.

Would that the Legionaries of Christ, for instance, had operated under the principle that the truth cannot be hidden, and that only in the truth can a better and healthier future be achieved.

The Milus Jesu website states, “All our members will be very grateful for your prayerful support in this time of renewal.” 

They can be assured of my prayers personally, and I would ask the AmP community to join in this prayer.