Marcial Maciel

Marcial Maciel

Marcial Maciel Degollado (March 10, 1920 – January 30, 2008) was a Mexican-born Roman Catholic priest. He founded the Legion of Christ and the Regnum Christi movement but was revealed to have abused boys and maintained relationships with at least two women, fathering up to six children, two of whom he allegedly abused as well.

In 2006, Pope Benedict XVI removed Maciel from active ministry after an investigation started under John Paul II, ordering him to spend the rest of his days in prayer and penance. On March 25, 2010, a communiqué on the Legion's website acknowledged as factual "reprehensible actions" by Maciel, including sexual abuse of minor seminarians.

Pope Benedict XVI appointed Cardinal Velasio De Paolis his delegate to examine the Legionaries’ constitution and conduct a visitation of its lay affiliate Regnum Christi.