This headline was brought to my attention recently. The article was an Associated Press article written by Nicole Winfield and picked up by several newspapers. I first saw it in The Herald-Sun out of Durham, NC. A link to the entire article at another source can be found here… http://www.startribune.com/world/103776194.html?page=2&c=y.  Why would I take time to review this article here? What caught my attention?

   First, this post is not the place to write about the differences between groups such as Protestants and Catholics. One main theme of this blog has been noting the characteristics of religious controlling groups. Some of these groups have been called “cults”. Over the years, these controlling religious groups or “cults” have been found within many “Christian” groups as well as other groups who claim no Christian foundation or background. The basis for these comparisons has been from my experiences during my time at Word of Faith Fellowship (WOFF) led by Jane Whaley and certain references books. Many of these books have been accounts of cult survivors or books from experts on the subject.

   Therefore, it should be no surprise that I found this article of great interest. The opening paragraph – “It’s a life regimented in excruciating detail, down to the way they eat an orange. Silence is the norm, information is limited, e-mail is screened, close friendships are discouraged and family members are kept at bay— all in the name of God’s will.”  Several of the things mentioned here struck a note in me as I remembered my time at WOFF.

    Nicole Winfield writes that the “consecrated women” group is a part of a larger order called Legionaries of Christ. This larger group has been under investigation by the Vatican after alleged abuses by the founder/leader- Rev. Marcial Maciel of Mexico. He founded the group in 1941. Maciel had been accused of sexual abuses and fathering at least three children. From the findings, the Vatican in 2006 did sanction the founder to a lifetime of penance and prayer. Only after his death in 2008, did the order admit that the leader had fathered the children in question and that the abuse allegations were true.

Continue reading “Vatican Probing Cult-Like Group of Women” Sept 26, 2010 →