Page 126 - 聖母軍團員手冊（英文版，2014年5月-2022年1月更新版）

Legion HANDBOOK D10944_1 26/02/2014 15:53 Page 124

124 THE MEETING AND THE MEMBER CHAPTER 19
(b) The logical conclusion of the proposal would be that
the co-visitors should maintain confidentiality even between
each other.

(c) The unit of action and knowledge and charity is neither
the individual member nor the pair of co-visitors. The
praesidium is that unit, and the detail of all ordinary cases is
due to that unit. If the reports are withheld, the unit becomes
ineffective. Under the plea of charity the real interests of
charity are prejudiced.
(d) There is no analogy with the case of the priest, whose
sacred functions put him on a different plane to the
legionary. The latter learns in visitation little more than any
other respected person would, and what is often common
property in the adjoining homes or district.
(e) To remove from members the obligation to furnish
adequate reports is also to remove that sense of minute
control which means so much in the Legion system. No
effective advice or guidance or criticism can be given so that
the essential idea of the praesidium is frustrated. The
education and safeguarding of the members, which are based
on the reports, are rendered impossible. Unless the mem bers’
weekly reports are adequately detailed to enable the minute
control already referred to, indiscretions will almost certainly
occur, with perhaps, detriment to the Legion.
(f) Strangest of all, the bond of confidentiality itself becomes
loosened. For the guarantee of legionary confidentiality (so
wonder fully honoured at present) is the praesidium grip upon
the member. If this grip is weakened, the bond of
confidentiality weakens with it. In a word, the praesidium is
not only the unit of charity and confi den tiality, but is also
their mainstay.
The reports to the meeting are to be regarded as being in the
same category as a family’s discussion of its secrets, and should
allow for the same freedom of expression, unless and until it is
demon strated that leakage is taking place. And even then, the
remedy is not to limit reporting, but to expel the traitor.
It is recognised, of course, that an occasional extreme case
may be encountered in which the circumstances will suggest