Pope Francis Expels Bishop and Nine Others from Catholic Movement in Peru Due to Sadistic Abuses

Pope Francis has taken the rare step of expelling ten individuals, including a bishop, priests, and laypeople, from a Catholic group in Peru. This decision follows a Vatican investigation that revealed "sadistic" abuses within the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae. The announcement was made by the Peruvian Bishops Conference, which shared a statement from the Vatican embassy on its website.

The investigation uncovered various abuses, such as physical violence, spiritual manipulation, and financial mismanagement. These findings have rarely led to such severe canonical punishments. The abuses also included inappropriate use of journalism to attack critics. The movement's founder, Luis Figari, was expelled last month for similar misconduct.

Historical Context and Investigation

Luis Figari established the Sodalitium in 1971 as a conservative response to liberation theology in Latin America. At its peak, the group had around 20,000 members across South America and the United States. Despite complaints dating back to 2000, significant action was delayed until 2015 when Pedro Salinas and journalist Paola Ugaz published a book exposing the group's practices.

An external investigation commissioned by Sodalitium in 2017 described Figari as manipulative and abusive. He subjected recruits to degrading treatment to maintain control over them. Despite these findings, the Vatican initially only ordered Figari to live separately from the community in Rome.

Broader Implications of Abuse

The recent Vatican investigation revealed that abuses extended beyond Figari to include other clergy members within Sodalitium. These individuals were involved in harassing victims and covering up crimes while performing their duties. The investigation was conducted by Archbishop Charles Scicluna and Monsignor Jordi Bertomeu from the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Archbishop Jose Antonio Eguren is the highest-ranking individual expelled. He had previously resigned as bishop of Piura after legal actions against Salinas and Ugaz for their reporting. The Vatican's statement highlighted the need for justice and reparation for victims.

The Peruvian bishops have joined Pope Francis in seeking forgiveness from those affected by these abuses. They have called on Sodalitium to begin a process of justice and reparation. There has been no immediate response from Sodalitium regarding these developments.

This decisive action by Pope Francis underscores the gravity of the situation within Sodalitium Christianae Vitae. It reflects a commitment to addressing abuse within religious communities and ensuring accountability for those responsible.