A reader of our blog, Enrique R., has questioned us several times in recent days about our persistence in continuing to denounce what happened to the late Buela.
Enrique, perhaps you belong to the younger generations and do not know the past.
Nine years ago, Fr. Carlos Walker, in his capacity as Superior General, received an email from the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, which we publish in its entirety below.
In the 5th paragraph it says: “… that the General Government and the entire Institute become aware in a reserved but also clear way, how the Founder behaved for so many years and with so many people.”
This was not done by Carlos Walker or, much less, by Gustavo Nieto. Nothing. They did the opposite. So, Enrique, when the IVE does, the issue will be dropped.” The truth will set you free” Jn 8:32
CONGREGATION
FOR INSTITUTES OF CONSECRATED LIFE
AND SOCIETIES OF APOSTOLIC LIFE
Vatican City, 6 April 2016
Prot. n. DD. 2037 – 1/1985
Reverend Father:
This Dicastery’s letter of 25.2.2016 has reached it, in which it asks “to reconsider well these latest decisions”, that is, those contained in the Letter-Decree of this Dicastery, dated 16.12.2015.
Following your suggestion, the Provincials of the IVE have sent a copy of your letter accompanied by a letter of their own in which they express full adherence to what you request. To the writings of the Provincials have been added notes of solidarity on the part of many religious, signed for the most part with a stereotyped formula.
Considering everything carefully, we recall what was explicitly notified to him at our meeting on 23.10.2015: “The phase of dialogue is over”. This document does not intend and cannot reopen the discussion. The above-mentioned meeting, to which you were invited, was intended to be – and in fact was – the dialogue in which the Dicastery gave you the opportunity to make your thoughts known in order to then make decisions and give dispositions.
The intervention was considered necessary as a result of the denunciations of priests of the IVE committed in different parts of the world and who wished that the General Government and the entire Institute become aware, with reserve but also with clarity, of what the Founder’s behavior has been for so many years and with so many people.
It is not the case to attribute the accusation of defamation to others.
From the broad considerations presented as the premise and basis of its request for review of the provisions, a careful analysis has been made. These reasons, also synthetically set forth in his memorial to the Supreme Pontiff, had been well considered by the Dicastery.
If the dispositions given in the letter of 16.12.2015 demonstrate, as you hasten to maintain, a lack of confidence in the Chapter Fathers, an even greater lack of confidence in the Dicastery shows you and anyone else who has endorsed your letter, when you think that the persons to whom a commission will be given in the next General Government will be chosen without due information and without careful discernment, “thus opening the possibility of great evils”.
It is well known and shared by the Dicastery that the Bishops appreciate the members of the IVE committed apostolically in their dioceses. As regards their admiration and surprise at the recent dispositions of the Holy See, it is necessary to note that the matter of the Institute and the Founder is known to these prelates only in the version given by the Institute itself.
This letter fully confirms all the provisions and information already given. You will be careful to communicate these decisions to each and every Religious who have signed letters with the same petition you submitted.
The Dicastery considers it necessary to reaffirm the validity of the disposition given by the Supreme Pontiff Benedict XVI and never revoked: “Fr. Buela is not allowed to interfere in the government and in the running of the Institute.”
Questioned specifically on the subject, His Excia. Msgr. Apicella reported that: “During the General Chapter presided over by me as Apostolic Delegate, I confirmed that the resignation of Fr. Buela from the office of Superior General was changed to resignation, and at the same time I reiterated that Fr. Buela should not have any part in the Government of the Institute, as had been ordered by the Supreme Pontiff Benedict XVI.”
Having considered the objective difficulty – pointed out from the outset – for the correct interpretation of the word “progress” of the Institute used in the disposition of Benedict XVI, this Dicastery, in order to avoid personal modes of evaluation, has considered it opportune to give a concrete interpretation of the term through the following applications, specifically approved by the Supreme Pontiff Francis on 2.4.2016:
- a) It is absolutely forbidden for Fr. Carlos Buela to have any relationship with the members of the IVE, with the exception of those of the Community where he will live with the permission of this Dicastery, and with the Religious “Servants of the Lord and of the Virgin of Matará”.
- (b) He may not make statements to the media or appear in public.
- c) They may not participate in any initiative or meeting, either personally or through other means of communication.
In the Audience of 2.4.2016, granted to the Em.mo Cardinal Prefect and His Excellency the Rev.mo Secretary, the content of this document was presented and illustrated to the Supreme Pontiff, with a request for approval in a specific form, graciously granted with a handwritten signature by Pope Francis, who is well informed about the delicate situation of the IVE and its Founder and has been following it with solicitude for many years.
In the confidence that what is communicated to you here will be received in the “complete spirit of obedience” professed in your letter, I take advantage of this circumstance to send you cordial greetings.
+ José Rodríguez Carballo, O.F.M.
Archbishop Secretary
João Braz Aviz Card
Prefect
DECREE
In the long and demanding attention given to the Institute of the Incarnate Word, following repeated signs considered acceptable about the behavior of the Founder, Fr. Carlos Buela, with various young people of the Institute, the Dicastery for Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life considered it its duty to interest His Holiness Benedict XVI in this difficult situation.
The Pontiff decreed that: “Fr. Buela is not allowed to interfere in the government and in the running of the Institute.” This precept, never revoked, was confirmed with specific approval by Pope Francis in the Audience with the Em.mo Cardinal Prefect of the aforementioned Dicastery on March 25, 2013.
Recently, some priests of the IVE, with the sole purpose of being able to contribute to the good of the Institute and to definitively remove from within it the painful memory of what they had to suffer in their youth due to Fr. Buela’s dishonest behavior, have raised the problem directly with His Holiness Pope Francis.
Having raised doubts about the correct interpretation of the word “march” used in Benedict XVI’s disposition, with the consequent practical effects, and having emerged divergences and contrasts on the way to deal with and clarify the situation, the Dicastery, as the celebration of the General Chapter approaches, has taken up the problem and formulated the following interpretation: specifically approved by Pope Francis in the Audience granted to the Em.mo Cardinal Prefect and the Exc.mo Archbishop Secretary on 2.4.2016:
- a) It is absolutely forbidden for Fr. Carlos Buela to have any relationship with the members of the IVE, with the exception of those of the Community where he will live with the permission of this Dicastery, and with the Religious “Servants of the Lord and of the Virgin of Matará”.
- (b) He may not make statements to the media or appear in public.
- c) They may not participate in any initiative or meeting, either personally or through other means of communication.
A conscious observance, in all its parts, of what is hereby disposed, enunciated and confirmed, is not only a moral requirement of obedience but also a condition for the peace and unity of the Institute.
Given in Rome, Vatican City, on 6 April 2016.
Leave a Reply