Catholic Priest from the Legionaries of Christ Order Apprehended for Accusations of Sexual Misconduct
The Legionaries of Christ, a Roman Catholic religious congregation of pontifical right founded in 1941 by Mexican priest Marcial Maciel, continues to focus on evangelization, education, and forming Christian leaders, despite its troubled past.
Marcial Maciel, the organization's founder, was accused of sexually abusing at least 60 minors over several decades. These allegations came to light in various investigations, with the Legionaries acknowledging in 2019 responsibility for 175 cases involving 33 priests, including 60 minors abused by Maciel himself.
However, as of August 2025, there appears to be no confirmed new arrests or recent public developments specifically about Legionaries of Christ priests arrested for sexual abuse. This is based on the available search results.
The most recent legal action involving the Legionaries was the arrest of Antonio "N," a Legionaries of Christ priest and former director of the Faculty of Bioethics at the Anáhuac University, who was arrested by officers from the Mexico City Prosecutor's Office on the morning of Thursday, June 12, at the Mexico City International Airport. This case, however, is independent and unrelated to the Legionaries' sexual abuse scandals.
The Legionaries have faced controversy due to Maciel's misconduct, but have also been proactive in addressing these issues. Internal reforms and renewed emphasis on transparency and accountability have been prompted within the Legionaries. The organization has issued a statement expressing their commitment to the protection of minors and vulnerable people.
Despite the scandals, the Legionaries of Christ remains a part of the Regnum Christi Federation, which includes lay members and consecrated men and women. Members of the Legionaries take vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, and live a Christ-centered life rooted in community and mission.
The Vatican eventually sanctioned Maciel in 2006, ordering him to retire to a life of prayer and penance. However, investigations revealed that Maciel led a secretive double life, fathering children with multiple women, and using his influence within the Catholic Church to evade accountability for years.
While the historical abuse cases involving the Legionaries and their founder are well-documented and remain a serious ongoing issue, it is important to note that there are ongoing efforts by Church leadership to confront this abuse. The Legionaries of Christ continues to grow and strive to uphold their mission in the face of these challenges.
[1] https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/24/world/americas/legionaries-of-christ-sex-abuse.html [2] https://www.cnn.com/2025/06/16/us/julian-wachner-arrested-child-sex-abuse-material/index.html [3] https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-feb-12-la-fi-maciel12-story.html [4] https://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/pope-francis-meets-with-legionaries-of-christ-leadership-to-discuss-ongoing-reform-13458
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