The new director general of the Legionaries of Christ, Father Carlos Gutiérrez, referred to the renewal process undertaken by the congregation following the intervention of the Holy See and assured that one of the main lessons of these years has been to face the institution’s own history with realism. He expressed this in an interview given to Alfa y Omega after being elected in February to lead the congregation for the next six years.
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The Mexican priest acknowledged that he received the appointment with a mixture of gratitude, surprise, and a sense of responsibility, aware that he will have to guide a congregation made up of more than 1,300 priests and religious in formation.
“Do not put obstacles to what God wants from you,” he confessed he thought after being elected during the General Chapter.
The renewal begun after the intervention of Benedict XVI
In the interview, Gutiérrez recalled that the Legionaries’ renewal process began decisively in 2009, when Benedict XVI ordered an apostolic visitation to the congregation following the scandal caused by the double life of its founder, Marcial Maciel.
Subsequently, the Pope appointed Cardinal Velasio De Paolis as pontifical delegate to lead a profound institutional reform.
The new director general explained that the various General Chapters held since then have sought to redefine the charism, approve new constitutions, and review the congregation’s internal formation.
According to him, the entire process has been lived “as an invitation from God to personal and institutional conversion.”
“We have learned about our history, mission, and identity,” Gutiérrez noted, assuring that the congregation has tried to face the past “with a critical, reflective look and from hope.”
“Christ is the center”
The new superior of the Legionaries insisted that the main challenge of the congregation is not organizational or administrative, but spiritual.
In this sense, he emphasized that Christocentrism remains the core of Legionary spirituality and warned against the risk of reducing religious life to criteria of efficiency or management.
“The main challenges are neither pastoral efficiency, nor effective administration, nor multiplying pastoral actions. If we do not center ourselves on Christ, we lose our true horizon,” he affirmed.
Gutiérrez also highlighted that during these years the Legionaries have felt accompanied by the Church and specifically mentioned the support received from Benedict XVI, Francis, and Leo XIV.
“We have experienced the maternal love of the Church that has welcomed us, cleaned our wounds, and encouraged us to move forward,” he assured.