Pope Francis Dissolves Peru-Based Catholic Movement Following Abuse Investigations and Financial Mismanagement

Pope Francis has dissolved the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, a Catholic group based in Peru, after years of attempted reforms and a Vatican investigation. The inquiry revealed sexual abuses by its founder, financial mismanagement by leaders, and spiritual abuses by top members. The dissolution was confirmed by the group on Monday, following an announcement at a member assembly in Brazil.

The decision to dissolve such a movement is significant for any pope, especially for a Jesuit like Francis, given the Jesuit order's own suppression in the 1700s. The Sodalitium's end marks the conclusion of a long decline for the group, which began in 1971 as a conservative response to liberation theology in Latin America. At its peak, it had around 20,000 members across South America and the United States.

Investigation and Findings

In 2011, former members reported abuses by founder Luis Figari to the Lima archdiocese. However, no action was taken until Pedro Salinas and journalist Paola Ugaz published a book in 2015 detailing the group's practices. A 2017 report commissioned by the group's leadership found that Figari had sexually abused recruits and subjected them to psychological abuse.

Pope Francis later sent Archbishop Charles Scicluna and Monsignor Jordi Bertomeu to investigate further. Their report uncovered severe abuses of power and finances within the group. This led to the expulsion of Figari and ten top members last year, including an archbishop who had sued Salinas and Ugaz.

Reactions to the Dissolution

Pedro Salinas described Francis' decree as extraordinary but overdue, given that complaints date back 25 years. He praised Scicluna, Bertomeu, and Sister Simona Brambilla for their roles in addressing the issue. Salinas also criticised Peruvian institutions and bishops who ignored the problem instead of supporting Pope Francis' efforts for an abuse-free church.

Renzo Orbegozo, a victim from Texas who was part of the movement from 1995-2008, welcomed the dissolution. He expressed hope that current members would realise they were deceived by what he called a "social scourge disguised as a Catholic association." His views align with those of Lima's Archbishop Carlos Gustavo Castillo Mattasoglio, who labelled the group a failed church experiment in Latin America.

Future Implications

The fate of Sodalitium's assets remains uncertain. Victims want them used as compensation for their suffering. According to canon law, only the Holy See can suppress such an institute and decide on its temporal goods. The Vatican has not commented on these matters yet.

Francis' decision contrasts with Pope Benedict XVI's approach to another conservative Latin American order, the Legionaries of Christ. Despite similar evidence against its founder, Benedict opted for renewal rather than suppression in 2010.