Jeff Anderson: “It is time for accountability…”

By Jeff Anderson

In 1994 Pope John Paul II told the world that Marcial Maciel was an efficacious guide to youth. That means you can follow him, you can believe in him, you can trust him. Pope John Paul II, along with many Vatican officials, knew that was a lie.

This is a tragedy beyond comprehension and it unfolds as we speak. Maciel was a bigamist, a pedophile, a pansexual addict, a dope fiend, and a cult-like leader with more than 200 victims spanning four decades of abuse.

Maciel was sick and unable to control himself, yet his crimes were made known to high Vatican officials. We can explain Maciel’s conduct because he was a very sick predator. But how can the Vatican and the heads of the Legion of Christ explain their failure to act? This lawsuit is designed to get the truth out and to get those kinds of questions answered.

It is time for accountability and it is time for transparency and it is time for change. It is time for the Legion and those in control to deal with the sins of the past and the crimes they have permitted in this case. The question we want to have answered in court and to the public is this: how could the Legion and high Vatican officials allow such a dangerous predator to roam the landscape and the globe under the Collar given him and never once do anything to protect the kids?

The Vatican has chosen not to share their secrets with the public and until they do – until they become transparent the way Raul is today and courageous the way Raul is today – these crimes and crimes like it will continue.