'Paedophile priest' axed
2006-05-19 15:38
Vatican City - The Vatican called on Marcial Maciel, an 85-year-old Mexican who founded the ultra-conservative Legion of Christ movement, to retire over accusations of paedophilia.
A statement from the Vatican's top doctrinal authority said it had decided against an ecclesiastical trial because of Maciel's age and poor health.
Instead, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith decided "to invite the priest to (lead) a discreet life of prayer and penitence, renouncing any public ministry".
The Congregation received accusations of paedophilia against Maciel from 1998, after it was headed by then cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, now Pope Benedict XVI.
Founded in Mexico in 1941, the Legion of Christ was active in 20 countries, claiming 65 000 members in all, including more than 600 priests.
It also ran 12 universities. Maciel stepped down as head of the organisation in January 2005.
- AFP