Investigation of Mexican priest urged

Catholic New Times, July 3, 2005

Voice of the Faithful (VOF), an American Catholic reform group, recently announced it will petition the Vatican to continue the investigation of Fr Maciel Degollado of the Legionnaires of Christ, in Mexico.

Nine individuals have come forth with charges of sexual abuse against Fr. Degollado. One survivor alleged that he was 10 years old when the sexual abuses occurred.

Before the election of Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger as Pope Benedict XVI, the Vatican announced it would re-open the Marciel investigation--previously suspended--because of new allegations. But now there are reports from the Legionnaires of Christ that it has stopped again.

In response, VOF maintained only the pope or the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has the authority to stop or prevent an investigation. Archbishop William J. Levada is the prefect of that congregation.