2023-07-22 21:01:00
July 22, 2023 / 2:01 p.m.
The president of the Peruvian Episcopal Conference (CEP), Bishop Miguel Cabrejos, spoke about the arrival of a special mission from the Vatican to carry out a new investigation into the Sodalicio de Vida Cristiana.
This mission is made up of Bishop Charles Sciclina and Bishop Jordi Bertomeu, both specialists in cases of sexual abuse and members of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, and their arrival in Peru was announced Thursday through the local newspaper La República.
In a note issued this Saturday, the CEP confirmed that this delegation will arrive in the country next week.
“I think it is excellent that this matter is investigated in depth, that the people involved are listened to and I am sure that the report will be fair and objective for the good of all,” said Bishop Cabrejos.
The Episcopate reported that Bishop Cabrejos “will have a meeting with the envoys of Pope Francis next Wednesday, July 26, at the headquarters of the Apostolic Nunciature” in Lima.
The Sodalicio de Vida Cristiana (SCV) was founded in 1971 by Peruvian layman Luis Fernando Figari and has had pontifical approval since 1997. However, in recent years it has been embroiled in accusations of sexual abuse and power involving the founder, who was sanctioned by the Vatican.
The Holy See concluded in February 2017 that Figari “in some cases has committed acts contrary to the VI Commandment” (not to commit impure acts).
Among the sanctions is that Figari does not return to Peru, except for serious reasons, and that he is permanently assigned to a residence in which there is no Sodalicio community, whose members are prohibited from contacting.
In January 2018, the Vatican appointed an Apostolic Commissioner for the SCV, whose work culminated a year later with the election of new authorities, including the Superior General, the Colombian José David Correa González.
Currently, the Sodalicio is accompanied by papal delegates appointed by the Vatican: Fray Guillermo Rodríguez, Delegate to the nod of the Sodalicio to advise and support the Superior General and the general government; Cardinal Gianfranco Ghirlanda, Consultant for the Revision process of the Sodalicio Constitutions and Delegate for formation; and Cardinal Joseph William Tobin, Delegate to address economic issues.
Various accusations have been addressed by the Prosecutor’s Office in Peru against Figari and other members of the Sodalicio. In some cases they have been archived, while in others appeals have been filed and remain in the hands of the Judiciary.
Sodalicio issues a statement
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Through a statement Signed by its Superior General, the SCV reaffirmed this Saturday its “commitment to fully collaborate with the Holy See” and indicates that “all members of the Sodalicio who have been summoned to these meetings with the envoys of the Holy Father will participate and collaborate in all the requests that are requested”.
Likewise, he affirms that they value the Vatican’s accompaniment “in the renewal process” that is carried out with the three pontifical delegates, to whom constant reports are provided.
“Our commitment to truth and justice has led us to face the problems of the past and to continue working for an institutional renewal for the benefit of our community and society in general,” says the SCV, which asks its members and spiritual family to unite in prayer so that the work of the Vatican mission “be enriching and fruitful in the search for truth and justice.”
ACI Prensa is a Catholic agency founded in 1980 by the late Comboni missionary Adalberto María Mohn. The agency’s next director was Alejandro Bermúdez, a consecrated layman of the Sodalicio de Vida Cristiana. Since 2014, ACI Prensa has been part of the EWTN family, through its EWTN News division, which maintains and directs its operations.
Eduardo Berdejo is a graduate of the National University of San Marcos (Peru). He has been part of the ACI Prensa team since 2001.
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