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Pope Francis has officially disbanded Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, a lay movement based in Peru, amid longstanding allegations of abuse and subsequent internal investigations. According to a statement by the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life dated April 15, the Pope has also dissolved three related organizations: the Fraternidad Mariana de la Reconciliación, the Siervas del Plan de Dios, and the Movimiento de Vida Cristiana.
The decrees of suppression were affirmed by Pope Francis, with Msgr. Jordi Bertomeu appointed as the apostolic commissioner to ensure proper execution of the decisions. Father Jordi Bertomeu Farnos, known for his investigative work on clerical abuse in Chile alongside Archbishop Charles Scicluna of Malta, visited Peru in July 2023. Their probe confirmed Pope Francis’ decision, concluding that Sodalitium Christianae Vitae lacked any genuine spiritual charism.
“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,” said a statement from Sodalitium after its suppression was decreed on April 14.
Founded by Peruvian layman Luis Fernando Figari in 1971 and recognized by St. John Paul II in 1997, Sodalitium Christianae Vitae extended operations to North America after being invited to Denver in 2003 by then-Archbishop Charles J. Chaput. However, a 2017 internal probe implicated members, including Figari, in cases of sexual abuse.
In August 2024, the Peruvian bishops’ conference revealed that Figari was expelled from the movement, highlighting charges such as sexual and psychological abuse. A 2023 Vatican investigation led to the expulsion of ten individuals, including Figari, due to severe misconducts like physical abuse, authority misuse, and covering up crimes. The findings concluded that the groups involved had “no authentic charism” from their inception.
