Summary
Father Carlos Alberto Gutiérrez, a Mexican priest who has served in various regions of Latin America and the United States, has been elected as the new Director General of the Legionaries of Christ. This appointment took place at the general chapter of the congregation held in Rome from January 20 to February 18. The election follows the resignation of Father John Connor, an American priest who had served since 2009. Gutiérrez, aged 51 and born in Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, has been a member of the congregation since 1999 and was ordained as a priest in 2009. His tenure will span from 2026 to 2032. Previously serving in Chile, Italy, Colombia, Venezuela, and Mexico (where he was the northern region’s territorial director until recently), Gutiérrez holds degrees from several prestigious institutions including the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum and the Monterrey Institute of Technology. The new Director General has also served as an assistant for Regnum Christi’s youth ministry ECYD program in Chile, among other roles within the congregation. He was chosen by the general chapter to continue the path of renewal initiated under the guidance of the Church. This appointment comes after a period of reform and transparency following serious allegations of sexual abuse and power misuse involving the founder of the Legionaries of Christ, Marcial Maciel. The Regnum Christi Federation now includes four vocations: Legionaries of Christ, consecrated laymen, consecrated women, and lay members, who share a common spirituality and mission.
Key Topics
Vatican City, Legionaries of Christ, Father Gutiérrez
