Figari founded the Sodalitium in Peru in 1971.
Luis Fernando Figari Rodrigo, founder of Sodalitium Christianae Vitae (Union of Christian Life), who is accused of sexual abuse, has been expelled from the organization by decision of the Vatican, the Peruvian Bishops’ Conference announced.
In a statement posted on its website on August 14, it said the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life had announced in a decree that Figari, 77, had been expelled from the sodality “in accordance with canon 746 of the Code of Canon Law.”
The decree states that Figari’s expulsion was based on the “results obtained and certainties gained” of the investigation carried out by Archbishop Charles Scicluna and Monsignor Jordi Bertomeu of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, which took place following their visit to Peru in July 2023 on behalf of Pope Francis.
The Holy Father had commissioned the two prelates at that time to investigate the allegations of sexual abuse and abuse of power made against the founder of the sodality and “other members”.
Following these results, on August 6, Pope Francis entrusted the Dicastery for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life with the task of ordering the exclusion of Luis Fernando Figari “in order to restore the justice that was violated… and to protect in the future the individual good of the faithful and of the Church.”
Sodality of Christian Life: Figari is no longer part of our community
In a statement, the Superior General of the Sodality of Christian Life, José David Correa González, described Pope Francis’ decision as “a gesture of pastoral charity, justice and reconciliation within our community” and with all the victims of Figari. Correa stressed that due to the Pope’s measure, Figari “no longer has any connection with our community.”
Correa also referred to previous actions taken by the Sodality against its founder, including the disciplinary measures imposed on him in 2014 “after receiving testimony of abuse” and his declaration of persona non grata in 2016. In addition, he stated that following the Holy See’s sanctions in 2017, as Superior General he asked the Vatican in 2019 to expel Figari from the Society of Apostolic Life.
“As we have previously explained, Luis Fernando Figari is the historical founder of the Sodality of Christian Life, but he is not a spiritual model for our community or the Sodality family,” explained the Superior General.
Finally, in its statement, the Sodality reaffirmed its commitment to continue the process of renewal and reiterated its request for forgiveness and its solidarity with the victims.
“We reiterate our willingness to continue our efforts to ensure a safe environment in all our communities and apostolic works,” Correa stressed.
Who is Luis Fernando Figari?
Figari founded the Sodalitium 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 “Mitad monjes, mitad soldados” (“Half monks, half soldiers”), in which they accused Figari and other members of the sodality of sexual abuse and abuse of power.
The following year, the Vatican appointed Cardinal Joseph Tobin, then Archbishop of Indianapolis, as the Sodality’s delegate. His duties included assisting in decisions “regarding the accusations made against the founder.”
In February 2017, the Holy See imposed sanctions on Figari, including banning him from returning to Peru and from contacting members of the organization he founded. The Vatican said it had determined that the founder of the Sodality, although Superior General, acted in an authoritarian manner and “committed acts contrary to the Sixth Commandment.”
A few days later, the Sodality presented its report, in which Figari, Germán Doig (the vicar general who died in 2001) and others were identified as alleged abusers.
Regarding the criminal proceedings against him in Peru, the Vatican stated in June 2018 that Figari had “at no time been covered up, hidden or protected in any way by the Apostolic See” and was therefore not prevented from “defending himself or responding to the accusations made against him in Peru”.
Figari currently lives in Italy.
