Solidation of Christian Life (SCV), an influential Catholic group from Peru, was dissolved by the decision of Pope Francis. An investigation previously carried out within the movement revealed a series of abuses by its leadership, including sexual, physical and psychological violence. One million dollars in compensation has already been paid to the group's victims.
Pope Francis decided to dissolve Solidation of Christian Life (SCV), a Peruvian Catholic organization founded nearly 55 years ago. The InfoVaticana website was the first to report the decision of the head of the Church, and on Monday its findings were confirmed by the members of the movement themselves.
As “The Guardian” points out, the termination of the group's activities is related to the abuses that have been taking place within its ranks for years. The first reports of irregularities date back to the first decade of the 21st century. However, SCV became famous in 2011, when former members of Solidacja complained to the archdiocese in Lima about the activities of the movement's founder, Luis Figari – reminds the British daily. Ultimately, however, neither the Peruvian church nor the Holy See took any specific action, the newspaper adds.
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Solidation of Christian Life dissolved
The case became public again only in 2015. It was then that Pedro Salinas, one of the victims, wrote a book in cooperation with journalist Paola Ugaz, in which he described cases of abuse that took place inside Solidacja Å»ycia ChrzeÅ›cijaÅ„skiego. “The Guardian” cites the results of an inspection group commissioned by the management in 2017, which revealed cases of degrading sexual and psychological behavior committed against others by the leader of the movement, Luis Figari.
This investigation was not the only one commissioned in this matter. The next one was initiated in 2023 at the request of the Holy See. The report of this investigation mentioned “sadistic, sectarian abuses of power, authority and spirituality” within the SCV. It also drew attention to irregularities in money management and even “persecution of critics” of the movement. Solidacja itself admitted on Tuesday that by December 31, 2024, it had allocated over USD 5.3 million (equivalent to approximately PLN 21.5 million) to the injured parties. This amount includes financial compensation and the costs of therapeutic assistance and other forms of support.
According to the movement itself, the harm done to victims includes “sexual abuse, psychological abuse, physical abuse, abuse or misuse of power and violations of internal conduct guidelines.” The organization “feels deep sadness” because of them. In a statement posted on her website, she also asks all victims for forgiveness.
An extraordinary decision by the Pope
CNN called Franiszek's decision “extremely unusual.” Paola Ugaz, co-author of the book on irregularities in SCV, also drew attention to the rarity of such decisions. The woman thanked the Pope for disbanding the group and ending the persecution that Solidacja had allegedly committed against her in recent years. At the peak of its popularity, the movement had as many as 20,000 members from South America USA. He had special influence in Peruwhere he came from. It was founded in 1971 in response to the left-wing liberation theology movement.
The Guardian, CNN, tvn24.pl
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