Archbishop José Eguren of Piura, Peru, has resigned amid a Vatican investigation into reports of sexual abuse and financial corruption within the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae movement. The Vatican has been monitoring Sodalitium for over a decade and in 2017, it was revealed that the group’s founder, Luis Fernando Figari, had committed sexual abuses against recruits. Peruvian journalists Pedro Salinas and Paola Ugaz first exposed the abuses in 2015, leading to a Vatican investigation into the group. Eguren sued the journalists for defamation in 2018, but dropped the lawsuit in 2019 after facing criticism. The recent resignation of Eguren is believed to be related to the Vatican investigation, indicating the possibility of further action against the Sodalitium movement.
The Vatican sent its top sex abuse investigators to Peru in 2018 to look into allegations of ongoing abuses and financial corruption within the Sodalitium. The details of the investigation have not been released, but it is believed that Eguren’s resignation is connected to the findings. Journalist Pedro Salinas, who was a victim of Figari’s abuses, sees Eguren’s resignation as a sign of potential action against the Sodalitium, including their possible suppression. The Vatican investigation is ongoing, and Eguren’s resignation may indicate that more measures may be taken against the religious movement in the future.
Archbishop José Eguren founded the SCV in 1971 as a conservative Catholic society to recruit members for the church. The movement was a response to the left-leaning liberation theology movement in Latin America. Figari, the founder of the SCV, has been accused of committing sexual abuses and other abuses against his recruits. Despite claims of innocence, Figari has faced allegations from victims and journalists. The SCV has stated that it is cooperating with the Vatican investigation and has acknowledged the plausibility of the allegations against Figari.
Eguren announced his resignation in a statement where he expressed his dedication to serving the church with justice, honesty, and fidelity to its teachings. He quoted Pope Benedict XVI, stating that making difficult decisions in the interest of the church is essential. Eguren’s resignation comes as a surprise as he is only 67 years old, several years younger than the typical retirement age for bishops. It is speculated that his resignation is linked to the ongoing Vatican investigation into the Sodalitium movement.
The Vatican’s investigation into the Sodalitium movement is part of its efforts to address sexual abuse and financial corruption within the Catholic Church. The resignation of Archbishop José Eguren is seen as a significant development in this investigation, potentially leading to further actions against the Sodalitium and those involved in the abuse. The Vatican has been scrutinizing the group for over a decade, and the resignation of Eguren could signify a turning point in the efforts to hold individuals and institutions accountable for their actions. The investigation is ongoing, with the possibility of more revelations and consequences to come.
