VATICAN CITY (AP) — The female branch of the scandal-plagued Legion of Christ religious order is in turmoil following the resignation of its leader and decision of some 30 members to split off from the movement.
The Legion confirmed Tuesday that Malen Oriol had asked to resign as the assistant to the Legion's general director. In that role, Oriol headed the Legion's branch of consecrated women — some 600 women who live like nuns working in Legion schools, recruiting and fundraising.
The Vatican took over the Legion in 2010 after the order, beloved by Pope John Paul II for its orthodoxy, revealed that its founder had sexually molested seminarians and fathered three children.
The Vatican launched an investigtion into the women's branch after discovering problems in their highly regimented life.
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