In a key move for the future of the congregation, the Legionaries of Christ have elected Mexican priest Carlos Alberto Gutiérrez López as their new General Director for the period 2026–2032. The election was held in Rome, Italy, cementing the Vatican capital as the epicenter of the order’s renewal.
Gutiérrez López, 51, succeeds the American John Connor, who has led the institution since 2020. This decision was made by 60 capitular fathers from 13 different countries during the General Chapter, the supreme body that defines the strategic lines of the legion every six years.
A LEADERSHIP PROFILE: FROM TEC DE MONTERREY TO THE HOLY SEE
The new leader of the Legionaries stands out for his robust academic and pastoral training, combining technical vision with spiritual vision:
- Education: He is an Industrial and Systems Engineer from Tecnológico de Monterrey.
- Religious Studies: He has a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and Theology from the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum and a master’s degree in Psychology from Divine Mercy University (USA).
- Career: Before his appointment, he served as Territorial Director of Northern Mexico, based in San Pedro Garza García, Nuevo León.
Originally from Hermosillo, Sonora, Gutiérrez joined the congregation in 1999 and was ordained a priest in 2009. His ministry has been international, with a presence in Chile, Italy, Colombia, Venezuela and Mexico.
THE MISSION: EVANGELIZATION AND “EXISTENTIAL PERIPHERIES”
After accepting the position with the traditional oath of fidelity, the new Director General takes on the challenge of continuing the process of institutional renewal under the guidance of the Catholic Church.
“The mission is to promote the service of evangelization and be a community that goes out to meet the existential peripheries,” the congregation highlighted in its official statement.
Keys to the General Chapter 2026:
| Aspect | Detail |
| Site | Rome, Italy |
| Participants | 60 priests from 13 nations |
| Aim | Evaluate the state of the order and elect the General Government |
| Next steps | Election of the rest of the General Government and missionary reflection |
A BRIDGE BETWEEN MEXICO AND THE WORLD
The appointment of Gutiérrez López reinforces the weight of Mexico, and specifically the Monterrey region, in the global structure of the Legionaries. His experience leading Regnum Christi in the north of the country and his previous work with adolescents in the ECYD give him a deep knowledge of current social and youth dynamics.
With this change of command, the Legion of Christ begins a new stage focused on transparency and closeness to society, seeking to strengthen its evangelizing work in a challenging global context.
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