Pope Francis has made the rare decision to dissolve the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, an influential Catholic group from Peru, following a history of abuse allegations within its community. The group, which once boasted 20,000 members across South America and parts of the United States, has been under scrutiny for over a decade.
The Vatican has not officially commented on the dissolution, but the Sodalitium confirmed the news in a statement. The decision to suppress the Sodalitium comes after a 2023 Vatican investigation revealed instances of 'sadistic' abuses of power, authority, and spirituality within the organization.
The group's founder, Luis Fernando Figari, has faced allegations of sexual abuse and financial mismanagement. An outside investigation in 2017 found that Figari had sodomized recruits, though he denies all accusations against him. Following the Vatican probe led by Archbishop Charles Scicluna and Monsignor Jordi Bertomeu, Figari was expelled from the order in August 2024, along with 10 other leading members.
One expelled member was found to have engaged in 'abuse in the exercise of the apostolate of journalism,' a rare charge. Victims of Figari have come forward with allegations of abuse dating back to the 1970s, with hopes that the Vatican investigation and papal actions will bring justice.
