Pope Francis has taken the extraordinary step of dissolving the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, an influential Catholic organization based in Peru, following years of abuse allegations against its leadership, including its founder, Luis Fernando Figari. The group, which once boasted 20,000 members across South America and parts of the U.S., has been at the center of scandals involving sexual, psychological, and physical abuse, as well as financial mismanagement.
The decision, reportedly based on a 2023 Vatican investigation, is unprecedented in the modern Catholic Church. The investigation, led by Archbishop Charles Scicluna and Monsignor Jordi Bertomeu, revealed “sadistic” abuses of power and authority. Figari, previously accused of committing sexual acts against recruits and described in a 2017 investigation as “vulgar, vindictive, manipulative, racist, and elitist,” was expelled by Pope Francis in 2024, along with 10 other members implicated in various abuses.
Founded in 1971 as a Society of Apostolic Life of Pontifical Right, the Sodalitium initially recruited young men from elite Catholic schools and affluent families, blending Catholic theology with far-right political ideology. The group’s abuses and mismanagement came to wider attention after the publication of the 2015 book Half Monks, Half Soldiers by journalist Paola Ugaz and victim Pedro Salinas. The book exposed decades of misconduct, sparking public outrage and intensifying pressure on the Vatican to act.
In its January 21 statement, the Sodalitium expressed remorse, acknowledging the harm caused and noting that it has paid over $5 million in damages to victims. The group also extended a formal apology to those affected. For survivors, such as Salinas, who was abused in the 1970s, this marks a long-awaited step toward justice. However, many have criticized the Church for its delayed response, with some victims filing complaints as early as 2011.
Paola Ugaz, who faced years of retaliation for her reporting, called the pope’s decision “unprecedented,” highlighting its significance as the first dissolution of a Catholic organization for systemic abuse and economic misconduct. She credited Pope Francis for bringing accountability to the Church’s handling of such cases.
The dissolution underscores Pope Francis’ broader efforts to address abuse within the Church. However, it also highlights the lingering challenges of confronting entrenched systems of power and ensuring justice for victims.
