By Andrés Beltramo Álvarez
Vatican Insider
September 5, 2011
http://www.frieschdagblad.nl/index.asp?artID=56220
 |
| CARDINAL TARCISIO BERTONE IN LIMA IN 2007 |
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 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.
"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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.