41 VOLUME 9 |ISSUE 1 |2018
Legion of Christ faces new scandal
“The Legion of Christ religious order, stained by revelations
that its founder sexually abused seminarians and fathered
several children, is facing a new credibility scandal: The rector
of its diocesan seminary in Rome is leaving the priesthood after
admitting he fathered two children of his own. In a letter released
by the Legion on Saturday, the Rev. Oscar Turrion said he fell in
love with a woman a few years ago during a time of turmoil in the
Legion, fathered a son and, a few months ago, a daughter. … The
issue is particularly delicate because of the international diocesan
character of the seminary: Bishops entrusted their seminarians to
the Legion to provide them with a wholesome living environment
while they complete their studies. In a statement, the Legion said it
was ‘conscious of the impact that the negative example’ of Turrion’s
case had on seminarians and the Christian faithful, and said it was
committed to a path of renewal.” In an earlier scandal, “The Vatican
took over the Legion in 2010, after revelations that its late founder,
the Rev. Marcial Maciel, sexually abused seminarians and fathered
at least three children with two women. It ordered up a wholesale
reform, but the scandal hurt the Legion’s credibility and stained
the legacy of St. John Paul II, who had been a leading Maciel
supporter. … The Legion said Turrion first informed the order of
the birth of his daughter in March, at which time he took a leave
and a new rector was named. In October, he revealed he had had
a son ‘a few years ago’ with the same woman and announced he
intended to leave priestly ministry. In his letter, Turrion said he was
at peace and asked for prayers. ‘I ask everyone forgiveness for the
lack of trust that this implies,’ he wrote. ‘I ask forgiveness for my bad
example and the negative witness I have given.’” (VOA, Associated
Press, 10/07/17)
State to review women’s complaints about branding in
secretive group
“Officials in New York State plan to review why regulators and
others did not act after women involved with a secretive group
reported they had been branded with a cauterizing device or
traumatized during an ‘experiment,’ said a spokesman for Gov.
Andrew M. Cuomo. The review will also examine whether state
officials should now pursue those complaints, said that spokesman,
Richard Azzopardi. The women were former members of an
Albany-based group called N[XIVM] that offers self-improvement
courses. … The doctor, Brandon Porter, is accused of having
run a study in which women were shown video clips while their
brain waves were recorded and facial expressions videotaped.
Participants were not warned beforehand that some clips were
extremely violent, including scenes of women being killed and
dismembered, according to a complaint filed with the New York
State Department of Health. … The developments follow the
publication on Tuesday of an article in The New York Times about
N[XIVM] and the practices of the secret sorority. The article cited a
text message indicating that N[XIVM] leader, Keith Raniere, who
is known as ‘Vanguard,’ was aware some female members were
being branded and that the symbol used contained his initials as
a ‘tribute’ to him. Late Wednesday, N[XIVM] released a statement
through an affiliate, stating that an unnamed media outlet had
‘unfoundedly, and incorrectly, linked NXIVM corporation, and its
related companies, with a social group.’ … During a three-month
period, officials of N[XIVM] did not respond to repeated requests by
The Times for interviews and responses. Neither Dr. Porter nor Dr.
Roberts responded to repeated inquiries. Mr. Azzopardi said in his
statement: ‘The allegations in this article are disturbing. Counsel’s
Office will be reviewing this matter to determine if applicable laws,
regulations and procedures were followed by the agencies cited
in this report and that review will determine if further action is
warranted.’ … A spokesman for St. Francis Hospital said Dr. Porter
resigned his part-time position after officials there met with him
to discuss the allegations cited in The Times article.” (The New York
Times, 10/19/17)
After abuse allegations, Sogyal Rinpoche retires from Rigpa
“Following discussion of allegations of abuse, Sogyal Rinpoche,
Buddhist teacher and author of The Tibetan Book of Living and
Dying, ‘has decided, with immediate effect, to retire as spiritual
director from all the organizations that bear the name of Rigpa in
different countries around the world,’ according to a press release
from the organization: ‘Rigpa is an international network of
Buddhist centres dedicated to making the Buddhist teachings
of meditation, compassion and wisdom available to the modern
world. The courses and programs offered by Rigpa have helped
many thousands of people around the world experience relief from
suffering and find meaning in their lives. … The governing boards
and management teams of Rigpa, having sought professional
and spiritual advice, will assure that the following steps are taken:
1. Set up an independent investigation by a neutral third party
into the various allegations that have been made. 2. Launch an
international consultation process to establish both a code of
conduct and a grievance process for Rigpa. 3. Establish a new
spiritual advisory group to guide the Rigpa organization. These
steps are being taken by the boards and management teams of
Rigpa worldwide, in a true spirit of collaboration. Channels will
be established so that any member of our community has the
opportunity to express their wishes, views and concerns.’ A number
of allegations of abuse by Sogyal Rinpoche were communicated in
a letter dated July 14 of this year. The letter was signed by current
and ex-members of Rigpa. Days after the release of the letter, it was
announced by Rigpa that Sogyal would ‘step back’ and would go
on retreat.” (Lion’s Roar, 08/11/17)
Indian guru sentenced to 10 years in jail on two rape
convictions
A controversial Indian spiritual guru who goes by Dr. Saint
Gurmeet Singh Ram Rahim Insan has been sentenced to a total
of 20 years in prison on charges of raping two female followers.
With intense security present, the judge handed down the two
sentences at the prison in Rohtak where the guru has been held
since his conviction. Ahead of the sentencing announcements,
Train and bus services to Rohtak were suspended and a curfew was
imposed prior to the sentencing to prevent supporters of the guru
from gathering in the town. Additional security also was provide
around the prison, and government troops had permission to use
firearms if any violence erupted. A curfew was also in place in Sirsa
town, location of the main headquarters of the guru’s Dera Sacha
Sauda sect. The sect, which supports vegetarianism, ecological
endeavors, and prohealth lifestyles, claims about 50 million
followers. (The Associated Press, CBC.ca, 08/28/17)
Legion of Christ faces new scandal
“The Legion of Christ religious order, stained by revelations
that its founder sexually abused seminarians and fathered
several children, is facing a new credibility scandal: The rector
of its diocesan seminary in Rome is leaving the priesthood after
admitting he fathered two children of his own. In a letter released
by the Legion on Saturday, the Rev. Oscar Turrion said he fell in
love with a woman a few years ago during a time of turmoil in the
Legion, fathered a son and, a few months ago, a daughter. … The
issue is particularly delicate because of the international diocesan
character of the seminary: Bishops entrusted their seminarians to
the Legion to provide them with a wholesome living environment
while they complete their studies. In a statement, the Legion said it
was ‘conscious of the impact that the negative example’ of Turrion’s
case had on seminarians and the Christian faithful, and said it was
committed to a path of renewal.” In an earlier scandal, “The Vatican
took over the Legion in 2010, after revelations that its late founder,
the Rev. Marcial Maciel, sexually abused seminarians and fathered
at least three children with two women. It ordered up a wholesale
reform, but the scandal hurt the Legion’s credibility and stained
the legacy of St. John Paul II, who had been a leading Maciel
supporter. … The Legion said Turrion first informed the order of
the birth of his daughter in March, at which time he took a leave
and a new rector was named. In October, he revealed he had had
a son ‘a few years ago’ with the same woman and announced he
intended to leave priestly ministry. In his letter, Turrion said he was
at peace and asked for prayers. ‘I ask everyone forgiveness for the
lack of trust that this implies,’ he wrote. ‘I ask forgiveness for my bad
example and the negative witness I have given.’” (VOA, Associated
Press, 10/07/17)
State to review women’s complaints about branding in
secretive group
“Officials in New York State plan to review why regulators and
others did not act after women involved with a secretive group
reported they had been branded with a cauterizing device or
traumatized during an ‘experiment,’ said a spokesman for Gov.
Andrew M. Cuomo. The review will also examine whether state
officials should now pursue those complaints, said that spokesman,
Richard Azzopardi. The women were former members of an
Albany-based group called N[XIVM] that offers self-improvement
courses. … The doctor, Brandon Porter, is accused of having
run a study in which women were shown video clips while their
brain waves were recorded and facial expressions videotaped.
Participants were not warned beforehand that some clips were
extremely violent, including scenes of women being killed and
dismembered, according to a complaint filed with the New York
State Department of Health. … The developments follow the
publication on Tuesday of an article in The New York Times about
N[XIVM] and the practices of the secret sorority. The article cited a
text message indicating that N[XIVM] leader, Keith Raniere, who
is known as ‘Vanguard,’ was aware some female members were
being branded and that the symbol used contained his initials as
a ‘tribute’ to him. Late Wednesday, N[XIVM] released a statement
through an affiliate, stating that an unnamed media outlet had
‘unfoundedly, and incorrectly, linked NXIVM corporation, and its
related companies, with a social group.’ … During a three-month
period, officials of N[XIVM] did not respond to repeated requests by
The Times for interviews and responses. Neither Dr. Porter nor Dr.
Roberts responded to repeated inquiries. Mr. Azzopardi said in his
statement: ‘The allegations in this article are disturbing. Counsel’s
Office will be reviewing this matter to determine if applicable laws,
regulations and procedures were followed by the agencies cited
in this report and that review will determine if further action is
warranted.’ … A spokesman for St. Francis Hospital said Dr. Porter
resigned his part-time position after officials there met with him
to discuss the allegations cited in The Times article.” (The New York
Times, 10/19/17)
After abuse allegations, Sogyal Rinpoche retires from Rigpa
“Following discussion of allegations of abuse, Sogyal Rinpoche,
Buddhist teacher and author of The Tibetan Book of Living and
Dying, ‘has decided, with immediate effect, to retire as spiritual
director from all the organizations that bear the name of Rigpa in
different countries around the world,’ according to a press release
from the organization: ‘Rigpa is an international network of
Buddhist centres dedicated to making the Buddhist teachings
of meditation, compassion and wisdom available to the modern
world. The courses and programs offered by Rigpa have helped
many thousands of people around the world experience relief from
suffering and find meaning in their lives. … The governing boards
and management teams of Rigpa, having sought professional
and spiritual advice, will assure that the following steps are taken:
1. Set up an independent investigation by a neutral third party
into the various allegations that have been made. 2. Launch an
international consultation process to establish both a code of
conduct and a grievance process for Rigpa. 3. Establish a new
spiritual advisory group to guide the Rigpa organization. These
steps are being taken by the boards and management teams of
Rigpa worldwide, in a true spirit of collaboration. Channels will
be established so that any member of our community has the
opportunity to express their wishes, views and concerns.’ A number
of allegations of abuse by Sogyal Rinpoche were communicated in
a letter dated July 14 of this year. The letter was signed by current
and ex-members of Rigpa. Days after the release of the letter, it was
announced by Rigpa that Sogyal would ‘step back’ and would go
on retreat.” (Lion’s Roar, 08/11/17)
Indian guru sentenced to 10 years in jail on two rape
convictions
A controversial Indian spiritual guru who goes by Dr. Saint
Gurmeet Singh Ram Rahim Insan has been sentenced to a total
of 20 years in prison on charges of raping two female followers.
With intense security present, the judge handed down the two
sentences at the prison in Rohtak where the guru has been held
since his conviction. Ahead of the sentencing announcements,
Train and bus services to Rohtak were suspended and a curfew was
imposed prior to the sentencing to prevent supporters of the guru
from gathering in the town. Additional security also was provide
around the prison, and government troops had permission to use
firearms if any violence erupted. A curfew was also in place in Sirsa
town, location of the main headquarters of the guru’s Dera Sacha
Sauda sect. The sect, which supports vegetarianism, ecological
endeavors, and prohealth lifestyles, claims about 50 million
followers. (The Associated Press, CBC.ca, 08/28/17)
