A Catholic priest member of the Legionaries of Christ is arrested for alleged accusations of sexual abuse.
Antonio “N,” a Legionaries of Christ priest and former director of the Faculty of Bioethics at the Anáhuac University, was arrested by officers from the Mexico City Prosecutor’s Office on the morning of Thursday, June 12, at the Mexico City International Airport.
The cleric was transferred to the Barrientos prison, accused of his alleged involvement in the sexual abuse of a minor 20 years ago.
The Legionaries of Christ issued a statement stating that they are “fully prepared to collaborate with civil authorities” and expressed their “commitment to the protection of minors and vulnerable people.”
The Legionaries of Christ is a Roman Catholic religious congregation of pontifical right, founded in 1941 by Mexican priest Marcial Maciel. Headquartered in Rome, it is part of the Regnum Christi Federation, which includes lay members and consecrated men and women.
Marcial Maciel, founder of the Legionaries of Christ, was accused of sexually abusing at least 60 minors over several decades, many of them seminarians under his authority. Investigations revealed that he led a secretive double life, fathered children with multiple women, and used his influence within the Catholic Church to evade accountability for years. His actions were part of a broader pattern of abuse and cover-up within the congregation he founded, prompting widespread scandal and institutional reform. The Vatican eventually sanctioned Maciel in 2006, ordering him to retire to a life of prayer and penance. He died in 2008.
The Legionaries focus on evangelization, education, and forming Christian leaders, especially through youth outreach and spiritual direction. Members take vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience, and live a Christ-centered life rooted in community and mission.
Despite its growth, the congregation has faced controversy due to its founder’s misconduct, prompting internal reforms and renewed emphasis on transparency and accountability.
Source: OEM
