Vatican Prohibits New Female Candidates To the Institute Of The Incarnate Word
The Vatican found that Fr. Carlos Buela, who had been silenced for sexual misconduct, continues to be revered by the IVE.
The Holy See has appointed a papal delegate to govern the Institute of the Servants of the Lord and of the Virgin of Matará, the women’s branch of the Institute of the Incarnate Word (IVE), and ordered its review while also prohibiting the admission of new candidates for three years. The text of the decree also clearly condemns the continued veneration of Father Carlos Buela, the Argentine priest and founder of the IVE.
The Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life formalized the intervention into the congregation, which was founded in Argentina and has a presence in numerous countries, including the United States. It was subjected to an Apostolic Visitation (2021-2024) to evaluate its internal situation and the authenticity of its charism.
Specifically approved by Pope Francis, it was signed on December 8, 2024. It named sister Clara Echarte as Pontifical Delegate to govern the Institute and lead a process of comprehensive reform. Notably, it banned accepting new candidates and admitting novices for the next three years because of alleged deficiencies detected in formation and vocational discernment processes.
The decree came in response to a report submitted by the Apostolic Visitor, which found serious problems in the formation of female religious, vocational discernment, and the Institute’s internal governance. Also, the report found that IVE’s relationship with the legacy of founder Fr. Buela was troubling. Buela was found guilty of serious sexual crimes by the Apostolic See in 2016 and was ordered to remain out of the public eye and to stay away from members of IVE. Despite his death in 2022, the report found, the IVE continues to venerate him as an "impeccable priest," allows pilgrimages to his tomb, and disseminates his writings in contravention of Vatican orders, while further discrediting his victims.
The document also alleged that IVE’s religious women are poorly prepared to undertake governance and formation, while there is also an excessive use of manuals and regulations that hinder a more authentic religious life.
The Pontifical Delegate has full powers of governing the IVE, including the repeal of its constitutions if deemed necessary. Sr. Clara Echarte will create a task force consisting of IVE members and experts in canon law and theology to thoroughly review the internal regulations and ensure an effective reform. She will be assisted by Sr. María José Gay Miguel. She will have the authority to appoint other collaborators as the situation requires. She will also remain in continuous contact with the bishops of the dioceses where the IVE operates, especially Velletri-Segni (Italy) and San Rafael (Argentina), which are key places in its foundation and development.
The decree emphasized that reforms are necessary to guarantee the authenticity of the IVE’s charism and its fidelity to the Church. It called on members of the IVE to accept the Holy See’s decisions in a spirit of faith, charity, and obedience.
Disgraced former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick lived at a residence operated by IVE in Maryland following his retirement. He was laicized after fielding multiple, serious accusations of sexual crimes and violations of sacraments. He has since been found incompetent to stand trial. A judge in Wisconsin ruled on December 27, 2024 that the trial would remain in legal limbo because of the former cardinal's cognitive impairment. A report by CNA in 2018 that McCarrick was living with a seminarian at the IVE residence.