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. Source: OSV News.
The suppression follows 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 yesterday.
The suppression decrees were confirmed by Pope 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 on Monday.
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 Denver Archdiocese by then-Archbishop Charles J. Chaput.
An internal investigation in 2017 found members of the movement, including Mr Figari, responsible for the sexual abuse of minors and adults.
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Peru-based Catholic movement formally suppressed by the Vatican (By Justin McLellan, OSV News)
