Vatican says no abuse trial for Mexican priest

ROME - The Vatican says the ageing Mexican founder of an influential Roman Catholic order will not face a church trial for alleged sexual abuse of seminarians.

Marcial Maciel, the 85-year-old founder of the Legionaries of Christ, has been accused by some former members of abusing them during the 1940s, 1950s and 1960s.

But Vatican deputy spokesman Father Ciro Benedettini said: "There is no canonical process underway nor is one foreseen in the future." He was confirming a statement released by the Legionaries of Christ saying the case had been dropped.

He did not provide any further details.

"The Holy See has recently informed the Congregation of the Legionaries of Christ that at this time there is no canonical process underway regarding our Founder, Marcial Maciel, nor will one be initiated," the group said on Friday.

Maciel stepped down as leader of the order, citing his age, a month after the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith said last December it would look into the allegations.

At that time, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who has since been elected Pope Benedict, headed up the congregation.

"Father Maciel has unambiguously affirmed his innocence," the Legionaries said in their statement.

"Our Father Founder on his own initiative declined his re-election. He gave the reason of his age and his desire to see the Congregation flourish in his lifetime under the direction of his successor," it said of his decision to step down.

Jose Barba, a former trainee priest who accused Maciel of abuse, said in April that their claims were deliberately hushed up because the founder was close to Pope John Paul.

Barba is one of a group of former members of the order, most of them Mexicans, who have accused Maciel of abuse.

He insisted on Monday the Vatican investigation continued.

"It would be a human rights folly to close the investigation so fast. The church is not that cynical, at least it knows how to maintain appearances, how to make you wait. It would be surprising if it were so precipitous," Barba said.

The allegations are too old to be investigated under criminal law but nine ex-members brought a suit against him under the Vatican's canonical law in 1998.

Founded in 1941, the order has around 500 priests and 2500 seminaries in some 20 countries.

Maciel was warmly praised by Pope John Paul on the 60th anniversary of his ordination last November but the probe into the case was announced just days later.

- REUTERS