The General Chapter of the Legionaries of Christ has elected Father Carlos Gutiérrez López, L.C., as the new General Director of the Congregation for the period 2026-2032. The election took place at the headquarters of the General Directorate in Rome, within the framework of the chapter works that have been developing since January 20 of this year.
The new General Director is originally from Hermosillo, Sonora (Mexico), is 51 years old and joined the Congregation in 1999. He was ordained a priest in 2009 and, until the time of his election, served as Territorial Director of Northern Mexico.
Formative and Pastoral Trajectory
Father Carlos Gutiérrez has a solid academic formation and extensive pastoral experience in various countries. He holds a degree in philosophy and theology from the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum, is an industrial and systems engineer from the Instituto Tecnológico de Monterrey, and has a master’s degree in psychology from Divine Mercy University, in the United States.
Throughout his ministry, he has held responsibilities in Chile, Italy, Colombia, Venezuela, and Mexico. Among other assignments, he was assistant to ECYD in Santiago de Chile, auxiliary to the general secretariat, assistant to the territorial director for the apostolate in Colombia-Venezuela, superior of the Bogotá community, territorial counselor of Venezuela, director of ECYD in Monterrey, coordinator of the general area of family and youth pastoral care, and territorial director of Colombia-Venezuela from 2018 to 2022.
Profession of Faith and Entrusted Mission
According to the congregation’s report, after accepting the position, Father Carlos Gutiérrez made the profession of faith and oath of fidelity, in accordance with the Church’s practice. The General Chapter has entrusted him with the mission of continuing the path of renewal undertaken by the Congregation in recent years, under the guidance of the Church, and promoting the evangelizing service, with special attention to the so-called existential peripheries.
Continuity in the Government of the Congregation
With this election, the service of Father John Connor, L.C. concludes, who served as General Director since 2020. The Congregation has expressed its gratitude for his dedication, his pastoral government, and his impetus to the institutional renewal process.
As stated by the General Chapter, the new government is positioned in a line of continuity, aimed at consolidating an institutional culture of transparency, care for people, service, and ecclesial communion.
The General Chapter, the supreme governing body of the Congregation, is composed of 60 priests from 13 countries and will continue in the coming days with the election of the rest of the General Government and reflection on various aspects of the life and mission of the Legionaries of Christ.