According to journalistic indiscretions, the "father" of one of the
most important South American religious communities would have been
accused of sexually abusing a minor.
The facts date back to 30 years
ago.
"All false", replies the society of apostolic life.
"The charges are false." The Sodality of Christian
Life does not let pass without reacting the news report published Aug.
22 in Peru.
The article in question involves its founder, Luis Fernando Figari Rodrigo, in alleged sexual abuse of a minor.
The "sodality family" is convinced of his innocence and will respond through legal channels to the allegations published.
The article in question involves its founder, Luis Fernando Figari Rodrigo, in alleged sexual abuse of a minor.
The "sodality family" is convinced of his innocence and will respond through legal channels to the allegations published.
The leader of this society of apostolic life, a
religious communities with a huge growth and influence in Latin America,
has decided to openly address the issue. That's why Andres Tapia, who
occupies the communications office of the Peruvian region of the
Sodality, sent a letter to Juan Carlos Tafur, editor of "Diario16", to
deny the information.
"We lament the spread of certain information that has
not been confirmed by the Archbishopric of Lima and of which neither
Mr. Figari nor the Sodalitium have been warned.
When asked about the report, Mr. Figari said that the facts published here are false", reads the text dated August 22.
When asked about the report, Mr. Figari said that the facts published here are false", reads the text dated August 22.
"The article in question harms his dignity, his honor
and reputation, and also that of the sodality family.”
The respect due to justice, truth and Christian charity leads us to the decision to take the necessary action to defend them.”
The respect due to justice, truth and Christian charity leads us to the decision to take the necessary action to defend them.”
According to reports from the article in "Diario16",
signed by Ethel Flores, there is a complaint dated "a few months ago"
against Figari Rodrigo for "serious sexual abuse" and for "physical,
psychological and spiritual mistreatment."
The newspaper would have had access to the document
via the victim, who, allegedly, has submitted his complaint to the
Archdiocese of the Peruvian capital for events of 30 years ago, when the
person in question was still sixteen, a teenager who was "vulnerable
and with serious doubts about his sexual orientation."
In addition, according to the information in the
newspaper, the complaint "was also sent to the Vatican so that, after a
rigorous evaluation, we could get permission to begin a canonical
process."
But, as they say in Rome, neither the Archbishopric nor the Holy See are aware of these allegations.
But, as they say in Rome, neither the Archbishopric nor the Holy See are aware of these allegations.
Luis Fernando Figari Rodrigo is not a priest, but a
"consecrated layperson."
Until a few months ago, he was the superior general of the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae (SCV), which he founded in 1971.
Until a few months ago, he was the superior general of the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae (SCV), which he founded in 1971.
The so-called "sodalite family" comprises several
realities: the Association of Mary Immaculate for women (1974), the
Christian Life Movement (1985), the Marian Community of Reconciliation
(1991), the Society of Our Lady of Reconciliation (1995) and the
Servants of God's Plan (1998).
A former member of the Pontifical Council for the
Laity, Figari is an emblematic figure of the lay church militant in
Latin America. After a youth of research and conversion, he was able to
form a group capable of carrying onto 5 continents the presence of the
realities he created.
In 1997, Pope John Paul II granted final approval of
the Sodality as a society of apostolic life.
In 1994 the Christian Life Movement received the title of Association of Pontifical Right.
In 1994 the Christian Life Movement received the title of Association of Pontifical Right.
A history of growth and expansion that has not been
without difficulty. In the Nineties, some community members publicly
denounced psychological abuse and mistreatment.
An excessive, almost militaristic rigidity, lived out in the homes of the consecrated members, would have allowed the excesses to occur.
The reports have always remained solely at the level of journalism.
An excessive, almost militaristic rigidity, lived out in the homes of the consecrated members, would have allowed the excesses to occur.
The reports have always remained solely at the level of journalism.
In 2010, Figari and his
followers had to face the toughest chapter. While carrying out research
to promote the cause of beatification of one their members, Germán Doig,
they had an unpleasant surprise.
They were dealing with a character who was, for
years, the Vicar General of the Sodalitium, praised as an "apostle of
the new evangelization" by several bishops and priests. He died February
13, 2001. His friends never had any doubts about his "reputation of
sanctity."
But the reality was very different.
But the reality was very different.
So, at the end of January 2011, the General Assembly
of the Society had to issue a statement in which it recognized that Doig
had had "sexual attitudes [...] opposed to his status as a Christian
and a consecrated layperson."
The testimonies of the victims (which would be two)
had "substance and credibility," at least so the press release admitted,
that revealed, in addition, the victims' request to remain anonymous.
Here's what one reads in the note: "After the initial
surprise, pain and bewilderment – why this double-life was unknown to
us – a committee of the authorities of our community began a process
during which it received two more witnesses between June 2008 and
December 2010 . In no ways did it involve the abuse of minors."
This information regarding
Doig caused a deep wound in his friend, Luis Fernando Figari, who
decided to step down as Superior General of the Society.
A choice due also to his delicate health after a long intervention undergone in mid-2010.
A choice due also to his delicate health after a long intervention undergone in mid-2010.
On January 25, 2011, the Assembly elected as the new
Superior General Eduardo Villa Regal, Vicar General since 2001. He has
taken over the work in the most difficult moment, thought so far there
have been no mass desertions.
Many "sodalites" have yet to digest the bitter pill, many others are looking for a new beginning: an internal reform to leave behind the mistakes of the past.
Many "sodalites" have yet to digest the bitter pill, many others are looking for a new beginning: an internal reform to leave behind the mistakes of the past.