Through his last statement, the Sodalicio de Vida Cristiana (SVC) confirmed its dissolution as a Catholic institution, ordered by the Dicasterio for the institutes of consecrated life and the Pope Francis. In the pronouncement, the organization accepted the decision of the Supreme Pontiff and apologized to the victims of the members of the congregation.
“During our General Assembly, we received the communication that the Dicasterio for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life, with the specific approval of Pope Francis, had decided to suppress the sodalicio of Christian life. (…) Sodálites We assume this decision with docility, maintaining our confidence in the providence of God.
At the end of its pronouncement, the organization expressed its regret for the events that occurred to the detriment of former Sodalites who denounced abuse after their experiences within the institution. However, the statement did not deepen the health process for the victims. As explained by the Republic, this issue was addressed at the meeting between José Enrique Escardó, first complainant of the Sodalicio, and Pope Francis on January 26.
“We want to express as an assembly, with pain and deep repentance, our request for forgiveness to the victims and all the people affected by the various abuses that occurred in our history, by the wounds caused and throughout the scandal that this has generated (… ) “, continues the statement.
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Complete Sodalicio statement accepting its dissolution | Source: Sodalicio
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First reactions to the Sodalicio statement
One of the first reactions was from the first complainant of the atrocities of the Christian life sodalicio, José Enrique Escardówho thanked journalists Pedro Salinas, Paola Ugaz, Daniel Yoverain a message on their social networks. He also thanked the theologian Rocío Figueroa, a researcher for sexual abuse within the Church, already Martin ScheucH, another survivor of the sodalicio.
He also thanked “all the survivors and victims who spoke; They helped from their stands, taking care. ” And it gives thanks to the press “that expanded our voices”, to congressmen and politicians who supported them, and “the thousands of Peruvians who believed us and sustained us.” Also the brave reporter Paola Ugaz highlighted on January 31, 2025 as the date of SVC suppression and stressed that journalism was “the mast of our ship and that made us face the tsunami of the attacks of the soda.”
Important omissions
Scheuch notes several omissions in the SVC statement. “They thank only to those who sought to wash their face and the members of their spiritual family. No thanks to the journalists and others who helped the truth come to light, or to the researchers sent by Pope Francis, even to the Pope himself, ”he explains.
“Nor do they say anything about repairs to the victims, because suppression does not imply that as a legal entity, according to civil law, the Sodalicio It ceases to exist, nor that companies and associations disappear in which they have put their money. ” And he adds: “Nor do they mention anything about the next step: what will happen with the priests and laity consecrated now that the sodalicio has been suppressed? Because if existence continues to exist. ”
Sodalicio had already announced its dissolution
Last Monday, January 20, 2025, the Christian life sodalicio confirmed its dissolution, following the order of the Pope Francis. However, the news had already been released on Saturday, January 18 by the Infovatica portal, which led the organization to issue a statement ratifying the information.
In its pronouncement, the Apostolic Life Society He pointed out that the filtration of the news came from some of their own members, who were expelled from the Assembly for breaking the confidentiality of the case. In addition, he regretted that these incidents have been used by the media to question the work of the cardinal Gianfranco GhirlandPontifical delegate of the Dicasterio for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life (Divcsa).
What led to the dissolution of the sodalicio?
In September 2024, the Pope Francis decided to expel ten members of the Christian life sodalicioincluding former Superior General Eduardo Regal and Archbishop Emeritus of Piura, José Antonio Eguren, due to accusations of abuse and poor management. Previously, he had already departed from the organization to its founder, Luis Fernando Figari, who faced complaints of sexual assaults.
The decree that orders the dissolution of the institution would refer to the immoral behavior of Figari, noting that its lack of integrity would have prevented the development of a true foundational charism. As a consequence, it is argued that the sodalicio lacks ecclesial legitimacy to continue existing.
Present in 25 countries and with approximately 25,000 members, among laity, priests and bishops, this organization has been under scrutiny during the last decade due to complaints of sexual, psychological and spiritual abuse. To these accusations is added financial corruption linked to the companies associated with the group.
