Did the Pope dissolve two private vows in the Legionaries of Christ?

Many are claiming he did. If he did, he did it quietly. I think that's significant.

Bill Cork says (back on October 23rd):

Reportedly, the Vatican has directed the [Legionaries] to get rid of a couple of secrets – its private vows:

1. Never to desire, seek or scheme to obtain responsibilities or positions in the congregation for himself or others …

2. Never to criticize externally the acts of government or the person of any director or superior of the congregation by word, in writing or any other way. And if he knows for certain that a religious has broken this commitment, to inform the latter’s immediate superior.

Bill cites three sources [Life-After-RC, National Catholic Reporter & Washington Post] for the text of the private vows and the claim that the Vatican has done away with them.

The first source cites "rumors that the Vatican has recently released all members of the Movement from [the] constraints [of the Fourth Vow]." The Washington Post article (which I think I've previously covered but cannot find archived at present), provides the context for the most recent headlines: the Legion is suing a former priest of theirs, John Paul Lennon, who is the president of the ReGAIN network, a watchdog organization "made up primarily of former Legionaries and family of current members. The group is trying to reveal what it considers to be a draconian and deeply secretive faith structure" {source.}

The National Catholic Reporter article (which is available on the ReGAIN website, though I highly doubt they would try to fabricate such a source), provides this report:

"... [T]he head of the order has apparently visited Legion provinces around the world and has instructed priests that two “secret vows” that have been a staple of Legion formation, vows that appear to protect leaders in the order from any criticism, are no longer to be used."

I think we can surmise from the preceding that Pope Benedict, in all likelihood, has abolished these two private vows, but has chosen to do so quietly. This decision of his was not directly-caused by the alleged-abuses by Legionaries of Christ founder Maciel (and his subsequent removal from ministry, blogged about here), but could be seen as a response to the LoC's subsequent attempts to underplay the unstated rebuke.

Update: From the comments thread by Glenn J Favreau:

Translated from http://www.milenio.com/index.php...7/11/19/150204/

Benedict XVI Cancels Two Private Vows of the Legionaries of Christ

Vatican City - Vatican sources said today that Pope Benedict XVI personally requested the abolition of two special private vows professed by seminarians and priests of the Mexican religious congregation, the Legionaries of Christ.

They deal with promises related to internal aspects of the order. The first prevents any criticism by members of their superiors or of their decisions; the second prohibits religious from seeking positions within the congregation itself.

Vatican sources have told Notimex that the measure was taken by the Congregation for Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life following disciplinary actions in 2006 against Legionary founder, Marcial Maciel Degollado.

In May of that year the Apostolic See announced that the Mexican priest was being obliged to follow a "reserved life of prayer and penitence." This followed an investigation by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith "for crimes falling within the exclusive jurisdiction of this office."

Sources stated that the abolition of the private vows is a "measure parallel" to that of Maciel's sanction and that it was personally ordered by Benedict XVI and given to the current director of the Legionaries of Christ, Alvaro Corcuera.

These vows, which are included in the text of the congregation' s constitutions, specifically state that one is "never to desire, seek or scheme to acquire responsibilities or positions in the congregation for oneself or for others." They also state that no one may ever "criticize the outward actions of governance or the person of any director by written word or by any other means. If it is known for certain that a religious has broken this promise, [one must] inform his immediate superior."

According to a letter written by a former legionary, Emilio Bartolomé, and confirmed as being true by Vatican officials, Corcuera has carried out a series of visits to Legionary houses throughout the world. The purpose of these visits has been to inform superiors of the abolition of the vows and the "relaxation" of certain restrictions placed on seminarians, such as those related to visits with family members.

Previously restricted to a few times a year, visits between seminarians and their families will now be more regular and less restrictive as part of the pope's directives to the order.

The norms related to family visits were approved by the congregation' s Chapter General (or assembly) and cannot be changed by the director general. Only another Chapter General or the pontiff himself can modify them.

Sources conclude that, "since no Chapter General has taken place and the constitutions have not been modified, this confirms that it was a papal decision."

Notimex

My observations:

• This article was alluded to by a confidential source that originally brought the issue to my attention. I believe this is the same one to which he was referring. I believe it is the original one for the story.
• This article significantly substantiates the claims made in my original post regarding the personal vows.
• This article does make a more direct connection between the sanctions imposed on Maciel and Benedict's subsequent relaxation of these private vows. No doubt, I would offer, because these norms could be seen to have exacerbated the problem before and after the event.
• The relaxation of family visitation rights for seminarians is a very healthy move, as from hearing some parents talk I knew it has been a significant cause of discord in the past.

I think the article might deserve a post of its own, once I get some time free to address it at more length.