in step with the Church, neither ahead nor behind: a commitment to Catholic Orthodoxy. It also explains the members' special affection for the Pope, who is supported in his charism of primacy and magisterium. All bishops in communion with the Roman Pontiff, as the Apostles' successors and teachers of the Catholic Faith, are likewise honored. Activities of its members Members of Regnum Christi make a commitment to specific daily prayers and meditation, weekly meetings, and annual spiritual retreats. They are called to work actively in some concrete way in service to the Catholic Church - usually through specific Regnum Christi apostolates. Its members call these works apostolates. These include those specific Regnum Christi (Mission Youth [Youth for the Third Millennium], Helping Hands Medical Missions, Familia, Conquest, Challenge, and Pure Fashion), and other works in parishes or dioceses. As of 2017, there were about 21,500 members in more than 30 countries. Degrees of commitment Among the members of Regnum Christi, there are three degrees of commitment: 1st and 2nd Degree They are non-privately promised lay members of Regnum Christi. 2nd degree members offer a greater service to the Church and the movement. 3rd Degree: consecrated lay members Lay Consecrated Men of Regnum Christi The Lay Consecrated Men of Regnum Christi are a branch of the Regnum Christi movement made up of lay men who dedicate themselves full-time to apostolate. They live consecrated life in the Church within the lay state. They were formed on April 13, 1975 by Marcial Maciel with Álvaro Corcuera (who later became the general director of the Legionaries of Christ and Regnum Christi) as one of the founding members. For a long time the government of the consecrated men was under the Legionaries of Christ. However, after an apostolic visitation, Card. Velasio de Paolis decided that they would be better served by their own internal government. On May 17, 2012 Jorge Lopez was named the new leader after consulting the members. The same decree named Matthew Reinhart the director of North America and Europe. The consecrated men share their spirituality with the rest of Regnum Christi but live it out in their own particular way. They currently number less than 100 in the world as there has been no interest since the sexual scandals and controversies of Marcial Maciel. Consecrated Women of Regnum Christi The Consecrated Women of Regnum Christi are a Society of Apostolic Life and