Pope Francis has ordered the dissolution of the Sodalitium of Christian Lifea society of apostolic life founded in Peru in 1971. The decision, confirmed by sources close to the organization, responds to the absence of a legitimate founding charisma and to serious cases of abuse committed by its founder, Luis Fernando Figari, and other members highlights.
Presumably, the Vatican would have informed the Sodalitium about the measure. Now, the organization is awaiting instructions from Rome to determine what the dissolution process will be like. This decision marks the end of a long history of controversies and complaints that affected both the structure and mission of the society.
Luis Fernando Figari, expelled in 2024 after an exhaustive investigation, was identified as responsible for sexual, psychological and physical abuse that affected multiple victims.
More than 20 members of the Sodalitium, including consecrated lay people and priests, were also implicated in these crimes, leading the Vatican to declare that the organization lacked spiritual legitimacy.
The reform process begun in 2016, which included the appointment of apostolic commissioners and various disciplinary measures, failed to correct the ethical and structural irregularities. A special mission sent in 2023 intensified investigations and resulted in the ouster of several leaders, including former superiors involved in the abuses.
However, the decision to dissolve the Sodalicio has not been without criticism. According to the media InfoVaticana, journalist Alejandro Bermúdez, former member of the Sodalicio, questioned the legitimacy of the process led by the priest Jordi Bertomeu, in charge of managing the dissolution. Bermúdez has expressed concern about Bertomeu’s behavior and his relationship with media considered hostile towards the community.
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