From 2020 to 2026 the Legionaries of Christ will be led by Fr. John Connor. He is 51 years old and is from Maryland (USA). He succeeds Eduardo Robles Gil.
As the congregation explains, John Connor was elected after two weeks of meetings focused 'on sexual abuse, attention to victims and clarifying next actions.'
In December, the Legionaries of Christ published an internal report explaining that, between 1941 and 2019, 33 priests of the congregation had abused 175 children. Sixty of the minors were victims of Legionaries' founder, Marcial Maciel, who died in 2006.
For years, the congregation has been in a process of internal renewal, including renewing its statutes. The election of this new superior shows this General Chapter hopes to open a new stage, where fighting abuse with transparency and determination is a priority.
