The Legionaries of Christ have announced plans to sell their property in Westchester County, New York in the US, citing financial strain and fallout from revelations about the late Father Marcial Maciel, reports the Catholic News Agency.
“The scandal involving our founder has been a great shock to us all, shaking our trust and raising doubts in many hearts. We are working hard to regain the trust of our friends – and of one another,” explained Father Luis Garza, LC, director of the order's North American territory, in an April 2 letter.
In his message to the Legion and its affiliate Regnum Christi, Fr Garza announced the sale of the property that had been used for priestly formation since 1996. He noted that the global recession of the past several years had “also affected many of our benefactors.”
“As a consequence of our difficulties, we have also experienced a decrease in vocations to the Legion and to the consecrated life,” he acknowledged.
“Although God continues to call men and women to follow him in the Legion and consecrated life in Regnum Christi, there are fewer in these last few years than in previous ones.”
A group of 72 Legionary brothers, currently studying philosophy at the Thornwood location, will transfer to the order's seminary in Rome during the fall of 2012.
The Legion plans to continue using the property until it is sold and transferred to its new owner.
According to Fr Garza the sale of the Thornwood property was necessary to deal with “the practical consequences of our current situation,” describing it as “a difficult decision but hopefully the right one.”