The Vatican has taken the extraordinary step of dissolving the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, a once influential Catholic organization in Peru, following revelations of severe abuses. Pope Francis made the decision after investigations unveiled a disturbing history of misconduct and abuse within the group. Founded in 1971, the Sodalitium was initially a "Society of Apostolic Life of Pontifical Right" and aimed at recruiting young boys from elite backgrounds.
The roots of this decision trace back to a 2017 external investigation ordered by the Sodalitium itself. This probe brought to light allegations of sexual abuse perpetrated by the group's founder, Luis Fernando Figari, who was found guilty of sodomizing recruits. The investigation also uncovered accusations of financial mismanagement and exploitation within the organization, which once boasted 20,000 members across South America and parts of the United States.
The organization was notorious for intertwining Catholic doctrine with Spanish fascist ideologies, positioning itself against the rise of liberation theology—a movement that emerged in the 1960s advocating for the poor. Figari, who led the group, was characterized as "vulgar, vindictive, manipulative, racist, sexist, elitist, and obsessed with sexual issues." Despite efforts by the church hierarchy to reform the group, including the expulsion of Figari and ten other leaders in 2024, the deep-seated issues persisted.
A Vatican-ordered investigation in 2023 uncovered further "sadistic" abuses of power, authority, and spirituality within the Sodalitium. Notably, one expelled member faced charges of "abuse in the exercise of the apostolate of journalism," an unusually specific accusation that highlights the extent of the group's misconduct.
The book "Half Monks, Half Soldiers" by Pedro Salinas and journalist Paola Ugaz provided an earlier exposé on the Sodalitium's practices and ideologies. The book underscored how deeply entrenched these issues were within the organization's framework.
