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Our Commitment to Safe Environments: 5th Annual Report from the Legionaries of Christ
The General Directorate of the Legionaries of Christ has published its Fifth Annual Report: Truth, Justice, and Healing, continuing our commitment to transparency and concrete measures for creating safe environments in all of the Congregation’s activities. This fifth annual report presents information on the progress made and challenges encountered in relation to its commitments outlined in Protect & Heal by the 2020 General Chapter, for the period from March 1 to December 31, 2024.
In the introduction to the report, the Interdisciplinary Commission of the General Directorate which authored the document states:
“Fully aware of our human condition, always subject to both doing things well and to making errors, we strive to work towards a society that regards Christ as its example and guide while we also recognize the pain that some of our members have caused others, both inside and outside the institution.
We recognize the courage of those who have come forward because this has allowed us to begin the path of institutional betterment, reiterating our commitment to healing, reparation, and prevention of abuse in any of its manifestations.
With this fifth report, we hope to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to protecting the most vulnerable, eradicating abuse in all forms, and documenting our efforts including our progress and the challenges we face.”
An overview of the development of a culture of safe environments over 19 years
The report includes progress made in response to reported cases. It also outlines the training of territorial safe environment coordinators in handling complaints, understanding canon law, and ensuring priestly wellness as a measure to prevent abuse. In addition, the report presents the progress of the Commission for the Study of Abuse of Authority, which is mandated to report to the upcoming General Chapter in January 2026.
Furthermore, the report outlines the development of the implementation of safe environment policies over the past 19 years, commitments fulfilled, and those yet to be fulfilled. It highlights improvements in the response to complaints, the economic reparation program, and collaboration with external institutions and experts, among other processes that have been put in place.
All updated data on reported cases of sexual abuse of minors by Legionary priests, safe environment documents and reports, as well as contact information for institutional and independent reporting channels, can be found at 0abuse.org.
Previous documents and reports:
Document 1: Conversion and Reparation
I Annual Report: Truth, Justice & Healing 2020
II Annual Report: Truth, Justice & Healing 2021
III Annual Report: Truth, Justice & Healing 2022
IV Annual Report: Truth, Justice & Healing 2023
The Legionaries of Christ remain firmly committed to creating and maintaining a safe environment for all people who interact with our priests and are involved in our institutions and ministries. Every Legionary of Christ in North America receives ongoing training by VIRTUS in keeping with our Praesidium accreditation.
We encourage anyone who has been abused by a member of the Legionaries of Christ to contact the appropriate authorities, regardless of when the alleged abuse occurred, and to contact the Legionaries of Christ’s pastoral care advocate for the United States, Abby Foley.
For any questions about safe environment policies or complaints regarding misconduct or sexual abuse of a minor or vulnerable adult by a Legionary, contact Abby Foley at afoley@arcol.org or by phone at (678) 467-9348. The Congregation has also established a channel for listening to concerns and responding to accusations at www.0abuse.org.
