Mexican Catholic group founder 'abused 60 minors'

A new report shows sexual abuse toward minors was rampant among a leaders of a high-profile Catholic group.

The Legionaires of Christ issued the report Saturday - about its own organization.

It shows that abuse was rife among Legionaire leadership.

And that Father Marcial Maciel, the group's founder, abused at least 60 boys, some were as young as 12. Maciel, who died in 2008, was perhaps the Roman Catholic Church's most notorious pedophile. He even abused children he had fathered secretly with at least two women while living a double life.

Saturday's report is groundbreaking because for decades until 2006, the Vatican dismissed accusations that Maciel had sexually abused children.

In Mexico City, where the Legionaires was founded, churchgoers have been shocked by the findings:

(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) CATHOLIC WORSHIPPER, ENIMIA ROJAS, SAYING:

"I think that religion is there for us to feel good. We come and trust the Church with the well being of a child, and this happens. This is very bad and that's why a lot of faith has been lost. People go to other religions under which the same thing happens. So where is one to go for refuge?"

Many outside the city's cathedral said justice was long overdue.

(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) CATHOLIC WORSHIPPER, SALVADOR ORTEGA, SAYING:

"I think that priests should be representative of a moral standing. The allegations are serious, and recognising them now is a step to understanding the situation, so I think the report is good."

The report says since 1941 and 2019, 175 minors were victims of abuse by 33 priests in the order. Most victims were boys between 11 and 16.