Benedict approves restrictions on Fr. Maciel, Legionaries of Christ founder

Via Amy, breaking news from John Allen:

Capping a decade-long on-again, off-again investigation of accusations of sexual abuse, the Vatican has asked Fr. Marcial Maciel Degollado, the founder of the Legionaries of Christ, to observe a series of restrictions on his ministry.

In effect, Vatican sources told NCR this week, the action amounts to a finding that at least some of the accusations against the charismatic 86-year-old Mexican priest are well-founded.

Maciel has not been laicized, but the restrictions issued shortly before Easter by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith limit Maciel's public activity, such as his capacity to celebrate public Masses, to give lectures or other public presentations, and to give interviews for print or broadcast.

The restrictions have been approved by Pope Benedict XVI, and the Vatican is expected to issue a brief statement shortly.

Vatican sources stressed that the action against Maciel should not be read as an indictment of the Legionaries of Christ or its lay branch, Regnum Christi. [More...]

Sources I trust say the evidence is very damning against Maciel.

A little personal story: when I had the opportunity of meeting Cardinal Levada last summer, a friend of mine who was with me had the gumption to ask him if he would be pursuing the Maciel case when he took up his duties at CDF. Needless to say, Levada declined to respond... well, now we know.

Update: CNA has a short summary of the situation.
Update 2: The Washington Post has published its coverage.