The Vatican expelled ten members of the leadership of Sodalitium Christianae Vitae; a Peruvian lay organization that, days later, responded with a statement to the sentence of the doctrinal office. They say they accept Pope Francis' decision with “humility and obedience.”
Among those expelled were an archbishop, priests and a journalist was punished for “abuse in the exercise of the apostolate of journalism.”
The Vatican document lists reasons for the expulsions as physical abuse “including sadism and violence” and others including spiritual abuse and the abuse of authority.
Some of these behaviors are not classified in the Code of Canon Law, but are considered criminal. In order to impose the disciplinary sanction, they are covered by canon 696.
For example, what is referred to in the document as the “hacking of communications,” is the violation of the members' privacy.
Prior to the expulsion of these 10 members, in August, the founder of the organization, Luis Fernando Figari, was expelled after being accused of sexual abuse.
This decision by the Vatican comes after Pope Francis met with a Peruvian journalist who authored a book that covers members' testimonies of abuse from this organization.
In 2023, the Pope sent two top Vatican abuse investigators to Peru, Spanish priest Jordi Bertomeu and Archbishop of Malta, Charles Scicluna.
After the investigation, the two presented conclusions to the Pope, which ended with the decision of these disciplinary measures.
CA
TR: AT
