In a dramatic move that underscores the Vatican’s growing intolerance for abuse within the Church, Pope Francis has expelled a Peruvian bishop and nine others from the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, a religious movement mired in controversy. This decisive action comes after a Vatican investigation unearthed a culture of abuse within the movement’s leadership, revealing a system characterized by physical violence, spiritual manipulation, and financial misconduct.
The expulsions follow years of mounting allegations against the group, which was founded in 1971 by Luis Figari as a conservative counterforce to the liberation theology movement in Latin America. Figari, once a powerful figure in Peruvian Catholic circles, was previously expelled after being found guilty of sexually abusing members of his community. His leadership fostered a climate of fear and exploitation, with new revelations highlighting the extent of the abuse—ranging from physical violence to coercive spiritual practices.
At its height, Sodalitium Christianae Vitae boasted tens of thousands of members, but its influence crumbled as victims began to speak out in the early 2000s. However, the institutional response was slow, and it wasn’t until the publication of ‘Half Monks, Half Soldiers’ in 2015 that the Vatican began to act decisively. The book, penned by investigative journalist Pedro Salinas and Paola Ugaz, forced the Church to confront the movement’s darker side. Their work, which detailed the culture of abuse within the organization, was met with backlash from the movement, which tried to discredit them.
The expulsion of figures like Archbishop Jose Antonio Eguren, a former bishop implicated in covering up abuses, marks a turning point in the Church’s response to internal corruption. Eguren had previously resigned and faced legal battles for his attempts to silence Salinas and Ugaz through defamation lawsuits. The Vatican’s latest decision signals a renewed commitment to holding even high-ranking officials accountable for enabling or participating in abusive practices.
This move sends a strong message about the Pope’s determination to root out deep-seated issues within the Church, as calls for justice and reform continue to grow louder across the Catholic world.
