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Suit Planned Against Legion of Christ Over Sex Abuse

By Howard M. Friedman

AP reports that a Mexican man, Jose Raul Gonzalez, plans to file suit on Monday against the Legion of Christ claiming that the now-deceased priest who founded the religious order was his father and sexually molested him. Gonzalez' mother, Blanca Lara Gutierrez, claims that Legion founder Rev. Marcial Maciel-- posing as an oil company employee and CIA agent-- fathered two children with her, adopted another, and proceeded to abuse two of the three children. The suit, charging fraud and negligence, will be filed in Connecticut where the Legion's U.S. headquarters are located. Plaintiff Gonzalez says that Maciel promised him and his brothers a trust fund. Gonzalez previously asked the Legion for $26 million to remain quiet about his charges against Maciel.

Full post as published by Religion Clause on June 19, 2010 (boomark / email).