My observations on the Fr.Maciel/LC thing continue. My previous posts will put you up to speed.
3. The accusations of moral misconduct against the Founder of the Legion of Christ are based on acts said to have occurred in the 1950's and 1960's. The charges are brought by eight or nine individuals who waited, for whatever reasons, nearly 40 years to go public. Frankly, I don't think this supports their credibility.
Why wait so long? Fear of some sort of backlash? Even if he were as machiavellian as these people claim, Fr. Maciel's reach is only so long. People move on. Even machiavellian people.
Too much shame and anguish? Could be. But how does that change now? What's the statute of limitation on shame and anguish?
The episodes of child abuse by priests in this country are real, shameful and extremely painful for victims, family and the Church at large. That being said, it is also evident that some unscrupulous people, in the wake of the scandal, hopped on the band wagon and made false allegations against priests and bishops (remember Cardinal Bernardin...) in the hopes of settlement money, personal vengeance, 15 minutes of fame or other, darker objectives.
I know it sounds callous, but can falsehood be ruled out a priori in the case of the accusations against Fr. Maciel? It wouldn't take much imagination to speculate on possible motives...
