Luis Fernando Figari Rodrigo, founder of the Sodalicio de Vida Cristiana (SCV by its Latin acronym) and accused of committing sexual abuse, has been expelled from this society of apostolic life by decision of the Vatican, the Peruvian Episcopal Conference reported on August 14 ( CEP).
In a statement published on your websitethe Episcopate indicates that the Dicastery for Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life has reported, through a decree, that Figari Rodrigo, 77 years old, has been expelled from the SCV “in accordance with canon 746 of the Code of Canon Law ”.
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The decree explains that Figari has been expelled based on the “results obtained and the certainties acquired” in the investigation carried out by Mons. Charles Scicluna and Mons. Jordi Bertomeu, of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, after his visit to Peru in July 2023 at the request of Pope Francis.
On that occasion, the Holy Father entrusted both prelates with clarifying the accusations against the founder of the SCV and “many other members” of the Sodalitium for sexual and power abuses.
After the results, Pope Francis delegated on August 6 to the Dicastery for Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life to order the expulsion of Luis Fernando Figari, “in order to restore damaged justice (…) and to protect in the the future of the individual good of the faithful and of the Church.”
Sodalicio de Vida Cristiana: Figari is no longer part of our community
For his part, the superior general of the Sodalicio de Vida Cristiana, José David Correa González, stated in a statement that Pope Francis’ decision is “a gesture of pastoral charity, justice and reconciliation within our community” and with all the victims of Luis Fernando Figari, who “is separated from our community” with the measure taken by the Pontiff.
David Correa remembers several of the actions taken by the SCV against its founder, including the disciplinary measures it imposed on him in 2014 “after receiving testimonies of abuse”, and his declaration as a person not grateful in 2016. In addition, he indicates that after the sanctions of the Holy See in 2017, as superior general he asked the Vatican in 2019 to expel Figari from the society of apostolic life.
“As we have previously stated, Luis Fernando Figari is the historical founder of the Sodalitium of Christian Life, but he is not a spiritual reference for our community or for the Sodalite Family,” says the superior general.
The statement concludes by renewing the SCV’s commitment to continue its renewal process and reiterating its request for forgiveness and its solidarity with the victims. “We reaffirm our willingness to continue efforts to guarantee a safe environment in all our communities and apostolic works,” adds David Correa.
Who is Luis Fernando Figari?
Figari founded the Sodalicio in Peru in 1971. The society of apostolic life is currently present in several countries in America and in Italy.
However, in 2015 journalists Pedro Salinas and Paola Ugaz published the book Half monks, half soldiersin which they accused Figari and other members of the SCV of committing sexual and power abuses.
The following year the Vatican appointed Cardinal Joseph Tobin, then Archbishop of Indianapolis (United States), as a delegate to the SCV. Among his duties was to help make decisions “about the accusations made against the founder.”
In February 2017 the Holy See sanctioned Figari and, among other things, prohibited him from returning to Peru and having contact with any member of the society of apostolic life. The Vatican indicated that the conviction was reached that while he was superior general, the founder of the SCV was authoritarian and committed “contrary acts to the VI Commandment“.
days later, the SCV presented its report which identified Figari, Germán Doig (vicar general who died in 2001), and other former sodalites as alleged abusers.
Regarding the criminal proceedings opened against him in Peru, the Vatican noted in June 2018 that Figari “has never been hidden, concealed or protected in any way by the Apostolic See,” so he is not prevented from “defending himself or respond to the accusations made against him in Peru.”
Luis Fernando Figari is currently residing in Italy.
Eduardo Berdejo
Professional in Social Communication from the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos in Peru, I have more than 20 years of experience in Catholic digital journalism. As part of ACI Prensa I have been sent to cover Pope Francis’ trips to Cuba, Mexico, Colombia and Peru, in addition to the Synodality Synod in the Vatican in 2023.