Pope Francis has accepted the resignation of Archbishop Miguel Cabrejos from the Peruvian diocese of Trujillo, amidst widespread criticism over his handling of abuse cases linked to Sodalitium Christianae Vitae (SCV), a now-defunct conservative Catholic movement. This decision underscores the Vatican's ongoing effort to address historical abuses within the Church, ensuring accountability and justice for victims.
The Peruvian Bishops Conference announced that Cabrejos, who served as its president until January, will be succeeded by Jesuit Bishop Gilberto Vizcarra. While the Vatican has not disclosed the precise reasons for the resignation, it aligns with Church laws mandating retirement at age 75, although Cabrejos had already submitted his resignation the previous year.
During his tenure, Archbishop Cabrejos faced allegations of negligence concerning the SCV, which was disbanded by the Vatican earlier this year. Criticisms intensified following revelations from Pedro Salinas, an investigative journalist and former SCV member, whose book exposed a series of abuses within the movement, prompting further inquiries.
Founded in the early 1970s as a counteraction to liberation theology, SCV gained significant influence across Latin America and the United States. However, findings from a 2017 internal investigation painted a grim picture of systemic abuse. The report highlighted heinous acts perpetrated by the movement's founder, Luis Figari, including sexual abuse and psychological manipulation of recruits.
Pope Francis' decision to act decisively against SCV involves direct intervention from senior investigators, Archbishop Charles Scicluna and Monsignor Jordi Bertomeu. Their comprehensive report detailed a pattern of 'sadistic' misconduct, spanning religious and financial misdeeds. As a result, Figari and other leading figures within the SCV were expelled or retired prematurely last year.
Cabrejos contended that the Peruvian Bishops Conference had consistently alerted Vatican authorities to wrongdoing within the SCV since 2015. He claimed that the findings presented by the Vatican investigators were largely based on pre-existing evidence accumulated by regional church officials.
The disbandment of SCV marks a significant moment in the Catholic Church's efforts to rectify past failures. Moving forward, replacing influential figures like Archbishop Cabrejos with leaders committed to transparency and victim support will be crucial to restoring trust and ensuring moral integrity.
