A controversial movement rooted in Catholicism, marked by claims of divine revelations and a tumultuous history.
The Apostolic Formation Center for Christian Renew-All, founded by J. Roy Legere, emerges as a complex entity within the realm of new religious movements, navigating between aspirations of spiritual renewal and controversies that have shadowed its legacy. Established with the intention of offering religious formation to lay Catholics by lay individuals, the center did not receive official Church approval despite its efforts to engage with Catholic teachings and practices.
The center initially made its home in Somers, Connecticut, under the name Mary, Queen of the Apostles Center, among other titles. Its founder, J. Roy Legere, relocated from Warren, Massachusetts, embarking on this spiritual venture. Despite the lack of formal endorsement from the Catholic Church, the center sought to inform the Diocese of Norwich about its activities, which included numerous retreats and the involvement of a considerable number of attendees. Priests associated with the center, albeit not officially appointed by the bishop, were granted faculties within the diocese based on their standing within their respective religious communities.
Controversy struck with the passing of Legere in 1978, leading to internal discord and public scrutiny. Allegations surfaced regarding practices and teachings at odds with Catholic doctrine, prompting a detailed investigation by the bishop of Norwich at the time. This investigation concluded that certain moral and theological breaches had occurred, although specific details and identities were not disclosed publicly. In response to these findings and the ensuing discord, the center was ultimately closed in 1985, with the bishop firmly prohibiting its reopening within the diocese.
Further complicating the center’s narrative are claims of bizarre practices and teachings associated with Legere and his movement. Reports suggest that Legere promoted personal revelations received from God and the Virgin Mary, leading to his eventual expulsion from St. Thomas Aquinas Parish in West Warren, MA. Post-Legere, the leadership vacuum was briefly filled by his son, referred to as “the anointed one” by a cloistered Dominican nun closely associated with the movement. This transition did little to quell the controversies surrounding the center, underscoring the divisive and often perplexing nature of its legacy.
The Apostolic Formation Center for Christian Renew-All’s history is marked by its ambitious goal of spiritual formation outside the traditional ecclesiastical framework and the controversies that ensued. While aiming to provide a space for lay Catholics to deepen their faith, the center ultimately found itself at odds with the very institution it sought to serve, highlighting the challenges inherent in navigating the delicate balance between innovation in religious practice and adherence to established doctrine.
