Pope Francis is signaling he will sign off on the reform process of
the Legion of Christ religious order, which was disgraced by revelations
its founder was a pedophile.In a letter made public Wednesday, Francis confirmed the order would convene a general assembly in early 2014 to elect new leadership and approve a revised set of constitutions.
He said these would be "fundamental steps in the path towards authentic and profound renewal."
Then-Pope Benedict XVI took over the Legion in 2010 after a Vatican investigation determined its founder led a double life: The late Rev. Marcial Maciel sexually molested seminarians and fathered three children.
Benedict ordered a wholesale reform of the order after finding serious problems with its culture.
Many priests disillusioned with the reform have left.