On 16 February 2012 Heereman was named to his new post of Vicar General by Cardinal Velasio de Paolis. The Vicar General is second in command after the General Director. He had replaced Father Luis Garza, who resigned to become territorial director of North America, and he was named after consulting the members of the Legion of Christ.[1][2]
As of 15 October 2012, Heereman assumed the responsibility for running the Legion until the convocation of a General Chapter, as the former General Director, Álvaro Corcuera, was on sabbatical for health reasons. In two letters, dated 9–10 October, both Álvaro and Cardinal Velasio De Paolis (the Legion's Papal delegate) announced the sabbatical.[3][4][5]
