Archbishop José Eguren of Piura, Peru resigned amid a Vatican investigation into sexual abuse and financial corruption within the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae movement. The Vatican has been watching the group for over a decade, and in 2017 a report revealed founder Luis Fernando Figari’s sexual abuses. Journalists Pedro Salinas and Paola Ugaz first exposed these abuses in 2015, along with reports of forced evictions in Eguren’s diocese by a Sodalitium-linked developer. Eguren filed a defamation lawsuit against the journalists in 2018 but dropped it in 2019 after facing criticism. Last year, the Vatican sent investigators to Peru to look into the allegations within Sodalitium, which led to Eguren’s resignation.
The Vatican’s investigation has not released its findings, but there is speculation that Eguren’s resignation is a prelude to further actions, potentially the suppression of Sodalitium. Salinas, a victim of Figari, believes this could be a significant development. Eguren did not reference the investigation in his resignation statement, emphasizing his dedication to the church and the care of the needy. Figari founded the SCV in 1971 as a conservative response to liberation theology. Complaints about Figari’s behavior were made to the Lima archdiocese in 2011, but action wasn’t taken until the release of Salinas’ book in 2015.
Sodalitium has stated that it is cooperating with the Vatican investigation, with Figari proclaiming his innocence while acknowledging the credibility of the allegations. Eguren’s resignation and the appointment of Monsignor Guillermo Elías Millares as his temporary successor were announced on the Piura archdiocesan website. Eguren cited the need for difficult and painful decisions for the good of the church as the reason for his resignation. The Vatican’s handling of sexual abuse cases has faced criticism, with concerns that the processes in place may exacerbate the harm experienced by victims.
Figari’s abuses and the allegations against Sodalitium have brought scrutiny to the organization and prompted investigations into the mistreatment of members. Salinas, Ugaz, and others have been instrumental in bringing these issues to light and advocating for accountability. Eguren’s resignation in the midst of the Vatican investigation adds to the complexities surrounding the case, with questions about the future of Sodalitium and the broader implications for the Catholic Church. As more details emerge from the investigation, the extent of the abuses within Sodalitium and the response from the Vatican may shape the path forward for the religious movement and those affected by its actions.
