Customer Reviews

Vows Of Silence: El Legionario de Cristo

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Length:: 2:45 Mins

This is a trailer for "Vows Of Silence," based on the book Vows of Silence: The Abuse of Power in the Papacy of John Paul II

At this very moment the Catholic media is in a feeding frenzy with news that Fr. Maciel had a female lover and had at least one child now in her 20s. This recent revelation made by the Legionaries of Christ has led many to re-examine the accusations of sexual abuse of his seminarians previously brought against Fr. Maciel. The DVD, updating the story told by Renner and Berry in their investigative report, Vows of Silence, tells the story of these accusations; it personalizes the accusations by interviewing the survivors, describes the controling atmosphere which facilitated such abuse, and it explains the tedious process they have gone through for years to have their case heard by the highest authorities in the Catholic Church. Benedict XVI finally censored Maciel in May 2005; but was it enough and why did it take so long, and why did the Vatican say so little about the survivors and try to save the perpetrator's work, the Legion of Christ and the Regnum Christi?

For many years the victims of Father Maciel sought justice only to find discredit, harassment, intimidation, embarrassment. Here is some testimony of the upsetting abuse suffered by many by someone they trusted and even loved. The manipulations of very powerful father Maciel and many in the Catholic Church whose main concerns were increasing their wealth and influence not the well being of idealistic, trusting, well intentioned young men. The evidence of the cult-like brainwashing of many. As one of the victims says "it is difficult to know where madness ends and evil begins".

Since the Legion has now admitted the pedophilia and Sexual abuse of the Founder of the Legion Fr. Maciel probably did take place due to the high number of reported cases [...] I took the opportunity to review this documentary Vows of Silence in the light of the revelations that the legion confirmed this year. I find it harrowing that these victims (Juan Vaca, Jose Barba and others) who raised these issues so many years ago did not get the opportunity for justice while Fr. Maciel was alive. I knew the Legion from inside as a member, I personally did not experience any abuse, and my experience was very positive. I remember the Legion tell us as legionaries that the allegations raised by Juan Vaca and Jose Barba and other were an attack on Fr. Maciel and his reputation and they they were groundless. I now feel deeply betrayed by this. And the legion will have to answer for the way the victims were victimized a 2nd time when they finally took the courage to speak the truth. We need to look at the objective facts that are raised in the Documentary.
As Legionaries we were made swear private vows as follows, "Never to criticize externally either the acts of government or the person of any Director or Superior of the Congregation by word, in writing or in any other way. And if he knows for certain that a religious has broken this commitment, to inform the latter's immediate Superior, unless he was the one criticized, in which case the Superior above him should be informed" In 1998 when the abuses were reported to the Media we were not allowed to discuss them internally as Legionaries, we were given the Legionary version that it was an attack on the good name of Fr. Maciel, and that was all we were told. We could not read the newspaper, speak among ourselves or question the Legion of Fr. Maciel.

I do not agree that the Legion is a Cult or a Sect. That was not my experience. I was not brainwashed. They do a lot of good work in the Church and there are many many excellent and faithful Priests in the Legion. However the governing structures and private vows that Fr. Maciel implemented meant he kept the Legion afloat for many years and placed a barrier to arriving at the truth about him and his private Life. I think the video was well prepared and hope that the victims of Fr. Maciel can finally find peace.

The question is not about sexual abuse. The question is how was it allowed to go on for so long with such a high profile personality, especially when the allegations went back to the 1950s.

Jason Berry is a blessing. He clearly and very interestingly exposes some of the Catholic church's many problems. Write more, Jason!

This is an amazing documentary that sheds light on the issues to those who are not familiar with them and helps bring healing and closure to those that are or experienced them. "THE TRUTH SHALL SET YOU FREE" - Highly Recommended!!!

If you don't want to keep your head in the sand about what continues to go on in the Catholic church, this is a must see documentary. I was unaware that the Legion of Christ existed. Just another secretive aspect of the church that needs to be understood so that change can happen.

This is a well thought out presentation. The photos and action portions were great. I have watched it several times. I wanted a good review of the topic and I was not disappointed.

I don't want to say that I enjoyed this film, mostly because the subject matter is such that it is not enjoyable. It is the story how Marcial Maciel Degollado, LC, founder of one of the most successful new movements in the Catholic Church, managed to pull off an amazing deception whilst at the same time doing such utterly horrendous things.

I consider myself to be a fairly conservative Roman Catholic. I have to admit that when the accusations were first aired, I was not inclined to believe them. After all, the Legionaries were championed by priests who I respected, especially Fr Richard John Neuhaus. After 2006, when Pope Benedict XVI "invited", or on the other words, mandated Father Maciel to live a live of prayer and penance and to relinquish all active ministry, I knew that there was more than a semblance of truth behind the accusations.

To be honest, I was turned off by the progressive Catholicism championed by Berry and Renner in their book. That doesn't mean that it shouldn't read, though. I like this film, mostly because it focuses solely on the sordid tale of Father Maciel. Unfortunately, the tale became much more sordid as time went on. Perhaps an updated version could be made, one which also captures the tragic tale of Maciel's children. This film also does us a great service by allowing us to hear the words of Maciel's victims. These men are not some crazy bunch of radicals. In many cases, these are highly accomplished and respectable men. I only wish that the Church had listened to them sooner.

I'm grateful that I never got caught up in the Legion. I'm truly saddened for Maciel's victims. In some sense, I don't want the Legion or indeed the Church to forget the story of Father Maciel. It should stand as a cautionary tale.