A
deeper look at the fourth part of the Standing Instruction:
Text
of fourth part of standing instruction:
"Legionary
duty requires from each legionary: ...Fourth, absolute respect for the
confidential nature of many matters discussed at the meeting or learned
in
connection with the legionary work:" (Handbook 18:7)
The
contents of the fourth part of the Standing Instruction, quoted above,
are
dealt with particularly in section 20, chapter 19, and section 4,
chapter 33,
of the handbook. The following are some extracts from the handbook:
Confidentiality
of paramount importance.
The
Standing Instruction, read to the members month after month, should
bring home
to them the all important place of confidentiality in the Legion's
scheme of
things. Lack of courage in a soldier is accounted shameful, but
treachery is
infinitely worse. It is treachery to the Legion to repeat outside
matters of a
confidential nature, learned or discussed at the praesidium meeting. At
the
same time, there must be reason in all things. Sometimes overzealous
people may
urge that in the interests of charity legionaries should withhold from
the praesidium
all names and reports which involve neglect of religion. In this
apparently
plausible suggestion there is an error, and a threat to the Legion's
life, as
the praesidium could not function satisfactorily under such
conditions."
(19:20)
"InviolabIe
confidence must be preserved by the legionaries in regard to what they
hear at
their meetings or in the course of their work. This knowledge comes to
them
because they are legionaries, and it would be an intolerable treachery
to the
Legion for them to divulge it. Reports must, of course, be made to the
praesidium meeting, but even here there must be circumspection. This
question
is more fully discussed in section 20, chapter 19, The Meeting and the
Member." (33:4)
In
dealing with the question of reports to the praesidium meeting, section
20,
chapter 19, says among other things: "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 real interests of charity are prejudiced." 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 members'
weekly
reports are adequately detailed to enable the minute control already
referred
to, indiscretions will almost certainly occur, with perhaps, detriment
to the
Legion.- "Strangest of all, the bond of confidentiality itself becomes
loosened. For the guarantee of legionary confidentiality (so
wonderfully
honored 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 confidentiality, but
also their
mainstay."