Order denies excess discipline: members claim they fled 'boot camp' in fear

National Catholic Reporter, July 26, 1996 by Gustav Spohn

She said her son is now managing a shoe store and still considering the priesthood, but not through the Legionaries.

Like Bannon, officials of the Hartford archdiocese, headed by Archbishop Daniel A. Cronin, have little to say about the allegations raised in the Courant article.

Although the seminary's Cheshire facility is located within the geographical jurisdiction of Hartford, archdiocesan of ficials are apparently taking a "hands off" position, at least publicly.

In a 10-line memorandum to the Courant dated the day after the article ran, the archdiocesan chancellor's office noted that religious institutes of the pontifical right, such as the Legionaries, are directly answerable to Rome on matters of internal governance and discipline.

The memorandum says Cronin has continued the official diocesan consent to have the seminary erected, originally issued by former Archbishop John Whealon, and says, "No complain/shave ever been received in this office about the matters raised in your article."

Though Bannon declined tn be specific,

his statement acknowledged that the public allegations have had some effect on the Legionaries.

"Naturally any complaint or criticism leads to self-examination," his statement says, "and obviously, as any human organization, we are not exempt from human error or miscalculation. We have all tried to learn from this, and have not found grounds to change radically anything in our program."

The Legionaries-was founded in 1941 and according to the order's literature, has more than 350 priests and more than 2,300 members active in 17 countries.

The mission is described as "preaching and extending Christ's kingdom" and "to transform minds and souls according to the ideal of the New Man in Christ; to create the civilization of love and justice."

Among the primary activities conducted by the Legionaries worldwide are:

* Mission work in Quintana Roo, Mexico, where Legionaries priests serve 400,000 people, and promotion of neighborhood missions in urban and rural areas around the world.

* Operation of an international Pontifical Catechetical Institute, the School of the Faith, for the preparation of lay catechists.

* More than 100 educational institutions at the primary, secondary, university and postgraduate levels.

* More than 800 centers of social service dedicated to social action and works of charity in poor and needy sectors of society.

* Centers for the promotion of Christian and family values.

* Radio and television outreach.

* Preparation, ongoing formation and support of diocesan priests.

The Legionaries direct seven vocational centers for boys 11-17 who are considering the priesthood and hold frequent retreats at novitiate centers like the Cheshire facility for young men who want to know more about the order.

Normally, candidates for the Legionaries spend one summer in a program that introduces them to the order, followed by two years as novices.

An intense period of training follows, including study in Rome; a two- or three-year internship of apostolic experience in the field; another time of study in Rome; ordination; and postgraduate studies when needed.