Fact Check: "Pope Leo XIV's predecessor dissolved the Sodalitium amid abuse scandals."
What We Know
The claim that "Pope Leo XIV's predecessor dissolved the Sodalitium amid abuse scandals" is misleading. The Sodalitium Christianae Vitae (SCV), a Catholic movement based in Peru, was dissolved by Pope Francis in January 2025 after a thorough investigation revealed numerous instances of sexual and spiritual abuses, as well as financial mismanagement within the organization (AP News). This dissolution followed years of attempts at reform and was prompted by a Vatican investigation that uncovered serious misconduct by the group's founder, Luis Figari, and other leaders (AP News).
Pope Francis's actions were a significant departure from those of his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI, who opted for a path of renewal rather than suppression when faced with similar allegations regarding the Legionaries of Christ in 2010 (AP News). The SCV had been under scrutiny since allegations of abuse first surfaced in 2000, but concrete actions were not taken until the investigation led by Pope Francis in 2023 (AP News).
Analysis
The assertion that Pope Leo XIV's predecessor dissolved the Sodalitium is factually incorrect because it was Pope Francis, not a predecessor of Pope Leo XIV, who made the decision to dissolve the group. The timeline of events is crucial here: Pope Francis became pope in 2013, and the SCV was dissolved in 2025, well after the investigations had begun and the abuses were reported (AP News, AP News).
Furthermore, the context of the dissolution is essential. The SCV had been the subject of investigations and reports for over a decade, with significant evidence of abuse coming to light only after extensive efforts by victims and advocates, such as the publication of a book detailing the abuses in 2015 (AP News). This indicates a long-standing issue that was not addressed by previous papacies in a decisive manner.
The sources used in this analysis are credible, including major news organizations like the Associated Press and The Washington Post, which have reported extensively on the SCV and the Vatican's handling of abuse cases. These outlets have a history of journalistic integrity and provide detailed accounts of the events surrounding the dissolution of the SCV (AP News, Washington Post).
Conclusion
The claim that "Pope Leo XIV's predecessor dissolved the Sodalitium amid abuse scandals" is False. The dissolution was carried out by Pope Francis, not a predecessor, and was the result of a lengthy investigation into serious allegations of abuse within the organization. This distinction is critical in understanding the timeline and accountability regarding the handling of abuse scandals in the Catholic Church.
Sources
- Pope dissolves Peru-based conservative Catholic movement after abuses ...
- A new pope confronts his church's abuse scandal amid ...
- Vatican expels founder of Peru's Sodalitium religious ...
- Advocates press for accounting of sex-abuse cases in new ...
- How Pope Leo dealt with years of abuse allegations in a powerful ...
