In an extraordinary and rare move, Pope Francis expelled ten individuals—including a bishop, priests, and laypeople—from the Catholic movement known as the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae (SCV) in Peru. The Vatican’s investigation revealed horrifying “sadistic” abuses of power, authority, and spirituality within the movement, prompting the Pope to take unprecedented action.
A Troubling Chapter in Catholicism
The Sodalitium Christianae Vitae was founded in 1971 by Luis Figari as a lay community dedicated to recruiting “soldiers for God.” It emerged during a time when Latin America was grappling with the rise of liberation theology—a movement within the Catholic Church that prioritized social justice and aligned with left-leaning ideologies. Figari, however, sought to create a more conservative counterpoint, focusing on discipline and orthodoxy.
At its height, SCV had thousands of members across South America and the United States, particularly in Peru, where it wielded considerable political, social, and economic influence. For years, however, behind the movement’s conservative façade, horrific abuses were taking place.
Unveiling the Abuses
The Vatican’s investigation into the SCV uncovered an appalling array of abuses. Physical violence, sect-like spiritual and psychological manipulation, economic exploitation, and even hacking of personal communications were all part of the system that SCV leadership employed to control members. Particularly disturbing was the revelation that some abuses were carried out with “sadism and violence.”
At the heart of the scandal was the group’s founder, Luis Figari, who was described by an independent investigation as a “narcissistic, paranoid, and manipulative” figure. His abuses, which included the sexual exploitation and humiliation of recruits, cast a long shadow over the movement. Figari forced his victims into degrading situations, often pitting them against one another to maintain control. He sodomized his recruits, made them fondle each other, and found pleasure in watching them suffer.
Despite the severity of these crimes, Figari initially faced little consequence from the Church. In 2017, the Vatican ordered him to live in isolation from the SCV community in Rome but stopped short of expelling him entirely, much to the outrage of his victims and their families.
Pope Francis’ Bold Decision
In a significant departure from Vatican norms, Pope Francis acted decisively to address the crisis within SCV. Following a comprehensive investigation led by top Vatican sex crimes investigators, Maltese Archbishop Charles Scicluna and Monsignor Jordi Bertomeu, the Pope took the extraordinary step of expelling not only Figari but nine other individuals, including Archbishop José Antonio Eguren.
The Vatican investigation revealed that the abuses within SCV extended beyond Figari and were systemic in nature. Members of the group, including clergy, were involved in harassing victims and hacking their communications in an attempt to cover up their crimes. The decision to expel these individuals marks a turning point in the Church’s handling of such scandals, signaling that Francis is prepared to take drastic measures to address abuse.
A Movement Under Scrutiny
The SCV’s abuses only came to light after years of silence. Victims first reported Figari’s crimes to the Lima archdiocese in 2011, but little was done until 2015, when journalist Pedro Salinas and Paola Ugaz co-authored a book, Half Monks, Half Soldiers, which detailed the abuses that had occurred within the SCV. Their investigative work sparked outrage and eventually forced the Vatican to launch a formal inquiry.
The Vatican’s statement, released by the Peruvian Bishops Conference, was remarkable not only for the severity of its findings but also for the level of detail it provided—a rare occurrence for an institution that typically operates with a veil of secrecy. The Vatican’s willingness to publicly expose the extent of the abuses indicates a shift toward greater transparency and accountability within the Church, particularly in cases of abuse.
Justice for the Victims
The expulsion of Figari and his associates is a significant victory for the victims of SCV’s abuses, many of whom have been fighting for justice for over two decades. Pedro Salinas, who has been one of the most vocal advocates for the survivors, welcomed the decision but stressed that there is still more work to be done.
“It’s very good news after 24 years of impunity,” Salinas said in a statement to the Associated Press. “It is to be hoped that this historic and memorable news is only the first of more, perhaps more impactful than what we know today.”
Journalist Paola Ugaz, who co-wrote the exposé on SCV, also praised the Vatican’s decision, particularly its acknowledgement of the hacking and harassment campaigns that targeted her. Ugaz had reported on SCV’s financial dealings and offshore holdings, which triggered a campaign by the movement to silence her. The fact that these tactics were explicitly condemned in the Vatican’s statement underscores the seriousness of the offenses committed by SCV’s leadership.
A Path Forward
While the Vatican’s decision to expel the leadership of SCV is a critical step toward justice, questions remain about the future of the movement itself. Some have called for the complete dissolution of SCV, arguing that its structure is too tainted by abuse to continue operating. The Vatican has not yet indicated whether it will take this step, but the expulsions signal that drastic reforms may be on the horizon.
For now, the Church and the victims of SCV’s abuses must grapple with the long-lasting effects of the scandal. Pope Francis’ actions represent a firm stance against abuse within the Church, but they also highlight the deep-seated problems that have allowed such abuses to persist for so long. As the Church continues to reckon with its history of abuse, the SCV case stands as a reminder of the need for continued vigilance and reform.
Will this ever stop?
Pope Francis’ expulsion of ten individuals from the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae marks a watershed moment in the Church’s response to abuse. By taking swift and decisive action against those responsible for the horrific crimes committed within SCV, the Pope has sent a clear message that abuse of power, authority, and spirituality will not be tolerated.
The fallout from this scandal has reverberated across the Catholic world, with many hoping that this will be the beginning of a new era of accountability and transparency within the Church. For the victims, the Vatican’s decision is a long-awaited step toward justice, though much remains to be done to ensure that the abuses uncovered in this case are never repeated. As the Church moves forward, the lessons of the SCV scandal will undoubtedly shape its approach to handling similar cases in the future.
