The Peruvian Episcopal Conference reported this Wednesday that Pope Francis ordered the Sodalitium of Christian Life to expel 10 members, a measure that caused surprise in the Archdiocese of Denver (United States), which maintains a pastoral link with some of those sanctioned.
The Peruvian Episcopate published on its website a press release from the Apostolic Nunciature in Peru that points out that the Pontiff, “after assessing the defenses corresponding to the complaints that emerged during the special mission”—sent to Lima in July 2023—, approved the expulsion of the members of this society of apostolic life .
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The expelled members are the former superior general, Eduardo Antonio Regal Villa; the Archbishop Emeritus of Piura, Mons. José Antonio Eguren Anselmi; as well as the former regional superiors, Fr. Rafael Alberto Ismodes Cascón and Erwin Augusto Scheuch Pool; the former formators Humberto Carlos Del Castillo Drago, Oscar Adolfo Tokomura and Father Daniel Alfonso Cardó Soria.
Former incorporated members Ricardo Adolfo Trenemann Young and Miguel Arturo Salazar Steiger were also expelled; and journalist Alejandro Bermúdez Rosell, who until December 2022 served as director of ACI Prensa and ACI Group, news agencies owned by EWTN News since 2014.
The note from the Nunciature points out that to “make such a disciplinary decision, the scandal produced by the number and severity of the abuses reported by the victims has been considered, particularly contrary to the balanced and liberating experience of the evangelical counsels in the context of the apostolate. ecclesiastical.”
The text mentions cases of physical, conscience, spiritual, position and authority abuse, in the administration of ecclesiastical assets and in the exercise of the apostolate of journalism, but does not detail what positions are associated with each member.
The statement concludes by indicating that “Pope Francis together with the bishops of Peru and those places where the Sodalitium of Christian Life is present, saddened by what happened, ask for forgiveness from the victims and join in their sufferings. Likewise, they implore this society of apostolic life to begin a path of justice and reparation.”
Surprise in the Archdiocese of Denver
On the same September 25, the Archdiocese of Denver (United States), where a Sodalicio community is located, stated in a statement his surprise and sadness at the news of the expulsion, “based on accusations that occurred decades ago in South America.”
“While the Archdiocese is actively working to understand the full scope of the Vatican investigation, we cannot comment on the details. “This news is inconsistent with our long-standing experience with men who have served within the Archdiocese of Denver,” he notes.
In the text, it indicates that “among those named who live here, Father Daniel Cardó has served nobly and faithfully in Colorado for 17 years. During his time here, Father Cardó has not faced a single disciplinary action against him. “He is loved by his parishioners and highly respected in the community.”
“The once moribund Holy Name parish community in Sheridan is now thriving because of its commitment to the Lord and those it serves,” he notes of the priest.
In the statement, the archdiocese led by Bishop Samuel Aquila assures that “similarly, Eduardo Regal and Alejandro Bermúdez have served faithfully and with distinction in the Archdiocese of Denver and the findings against them are deeply disappointing, to say the least.” .
The Sodalicio case
The Sodalicio de Vida Cristiana (SCV by its Latin acronym) was founded in Peru in 1971 by Luis Fernando Figari, accused of sexual abuse and expelled of this society of apostolic life by the Pope on August 14, 2024, following the report of the special mission led by Bishop Scicluna and Bishop Jordi Bertomeu.
Since 2015, the Sodalicio was already facing public accusations of sexual abuse and power after the publication of the book Half monks, half soldiersby Peruvian journalists Pedro Salinas and Paola Ugaz.
In May 2016, the Vatican appointed Cardinal Joseph Tobin, then Archbishop of Indianapolis (United States), as a delegate for the SCV. Among other functions, he had to help his general government in the decisions to be made “about the accusations made to the founder.”
In February 2017, the SCV presented its report about cases of abuse committed within the institution after an investigation carried out by international experts who identified Figari, Germán Doig (vicar general who died in 2001), and former sodalites Virgilio Levaggi and Jeffrey Daniels as alleged aggressors.
On January 10, 2018, the Holy See appointed Bishop Noel Londoño, Bishop of Jericó (Colombia), as apostolic commissioner and Fray Guillermo Rodríguez as deputy commissioner. Both investigated the status of the SCV and presented Pope Francis with a set of reforms that were approved by the Pontiff on December 13, 2018.
In January 2019 It was reported that the Congregation – today the Dicastery – for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life elected the Sodalite José David Correa as the new superior general for six years.
On October 30, 2021 Correa was received by Pope Franciswho was informed about the changes being carried out for the “comprehensive renewal” of the community, according to the society of apostolic life.
He also delivered to the Pontiff the documentation “of the process of listening, care and reparation for victims”, as well as the actions carried out to prevent abuses and information “on the situation of the current legal processes existing in Peru.”
On December 1, 2023, Pope Francis received again to José David Correa within the framework of the Assembly of the Union of Superiors General held in Rome.
The Sodalicio indicated that its superior general gave the Pontiff updated information about the reality of the society of apostolic life, “addressing various aspects linked to the life and apostolic mission of our community.”
On August 14, 2024, after learning of Figari’s expulsion—requested by the SCV from the Vatican in 2019—the society of apostolic life published a statement in which he reiterates his commitment to renewal and his request for forgiveness and his solidarity with the victims.
Central Editorial
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