|
Opinion Column
Bishop Farrell’s “Differences of Opinion”
Kevin Fagan, Ph.D.
In a recent press conference before his installation May 1
as Catholic Bishop of Dallas, former Legionaries of Christ member Bishop Kevin
Farrell states “differences of opinion” as the cause of his departure from this
Catholic religious group. Farrell’s stated
reason for his personal exit clearly implies
that he disagreed with the Vatican-approved
organization after having been there for 20 years and
having to start a new life in an unknown setting. A logical implication
of this view is that he left because a “difference of opinion” was not
acceptable within the organization, a stance that blends with what many of us
legionary survivors describe as the cult-like
characteristics of the group
(www.regainnetwork.org).
Farrell, like most of us Irish, joined the Legionaries in
the 1960s to be a missionary in Latin America, not to be “strongly
conservative,” as this religious order is oft
classified today. In those times, having a native Mexican priest appeal to our
senior-class idealism seemed authentic. Besides, there was the Irish tradition
of seminary studies in Spain and Rome, which the Legionaries offered.
The “strongly conservative”
legionary label is part of traditional Catholicism—Eucharistic adoration,
Marian devotion, papal fidelity, clerical dress, Jesuitical retreats, blind
obedience, strict discipline, separation from worldly pursuits and family
ties—all given a strong spin in the United States during the liberal 1980s
to attract vocations and finances from conservative Catholics nostalgic for the
established Church they loved. Like most of us, Farrell probably stayed in the
Order because he was happy with community life and the challenging ministry in
Latin America. Besides, if the congregation was okay with the Pope of the time,
such a way of life was okay for us as well.
When I was a legionary
priest in Chile, I received constant calls for Fr. Kevin who had been in
Monterrey, Mexico. It turns out that I had been in Monterrey, too, but I was not
the Father Kevin the callers were expecting. The official
legionary line—that Farrell had gone to
Chile—highlights the organization’s discomfort at his departure. The deeper
problem, however, is that such groups don't offer members
liberty of conscience, including factual freedom to
leave. Besides, Bishop Farrell’s explanation of “differences of opinion”
implies that he does value such differences
but is unwilling to accept a group that doesn’t. Farrell paid a high price to
follow his conscience, and I bet he’ll respect all who do likewise. All of which
further emphasizes his disagreement with those, such as the Legionaries, who
berate dissent—but not because of their “strong conservatism” (which, I'd say,
he'd respect as “a difference of opinion”), but
because of their disrespect for personal rights and responsibilities.
To suggest, then, that the Legionaries and similar groups
promote “doctrinal orthodoxy” is therefore false: They do not respect (given
that they are cult-like) the “doctrinal orthodoxy,”
as I understand them, of both Christ and Christianity, which
reveres conscience. The
notion that they encourage “doctrinal
orthodoxy” also plays into their tactic of attracting members and dollars from
naively generous “orthodox” Catholics and
“conservative” Christians.
|
