Peruvian journalist Paola Ugaz, co-author of a book detailing the psychological and sexual abuse that young members of Sodalitium Christianae Vitae were forced to endure, poses in an undated photo in Lima. Peruvian bishops and a survivors' network have publicly expressed support for Ugaz and denounced several lawsuits made against her by the Sodalitium's members. (OSV News/Courtesy og Paola Ugaz/John Reyes)
Pope Francis has ordered the suppression of the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, a Peru-based lay movement active across Latin America and the United States, and three related lay movements following decades of abuse allegations and internal investigations.
"At the conclusion of an investigation ordered by Pope Francis on July 5, 2023, it was decided to suppress both the Societies of Apostolic Life of the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae and of the Fraternidad Mariana de la Reconciliación (Marian Community of Reconciliation), as well as the Associations of the Faithful Siervas del Plan de Dios (Servants of the Plan of God) and Movimiento de Vida Cristiana (Christian Life Movement)," the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life said in a statement April 15.
The suppression decrees were confirmed by Francis, the dicastery said, and Msgr. Jordi Bertomeu, an official of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, was appointed apostolic commissioner to oversee "the acts, procedures and all forms of initiative" needed to implement the decision.
"With sorrow and obedience, we accept this decision, specifically approved by Pope Francis, which brings our society to an end," said a statement from Sodalitium after its superior general signed the decree of suppression at the Vatican April 14.
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The movement expressed gratitude to those who supported its mission while acknowledging its history of abuse. "Our thoughts also turn to the victims, to whom we once again express our sincere request for forgiveness for the mistreatment and abuse committed within our community."
Founded in 1971 by Peruvian layman Luis Fernando Figari, the movement was granted pontifical recognition by St. John Paul II in 1997. The movement established a presence in the United States in 2003 when it was invited into the Archdiocese of Denver by then-Archbishop Charles J. Chaput.
An internal investigation in 2017 found members of the movement, including Figari, responsible for the sexual abuse of minors and adults.
When Bertomeu announced to members in Peru in February that Francis had ordered the suppression of the Sodalitium and its various branches, he said the church investigations found the groups had "no authentic charism" or spiritual gift and inspiration from their beginning.
Furthermore, a 2023 Vatican investigation resulted in 10 people, including Figari, being expelled from the movement; among the reasons cited by the Vatican were physical abuse "including sadism and violence," deploying tactics to "break the will of subordinates," spiritual abuse, abuse of authority including the cover-up of crimes and abuse in the administration of church goods.
