Cardinal Pedro Barreto Jimeno, a Peruvian Cardinal, addressed the recent expulsions of members from the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae in a recent interview with OSV News. He emphasized the need for a thorough and serious process before the church can consider dissolving the controversial lay movement.
The expulsions, which included key members such as founder Luis Fernando Figari, were seen as a positive step towards implementing the teachings of the Gospel. Cardinal Barreto acknowledged the suffering of victims over the past 25 years but noted the church’s commitment to a transparent and ongoing process.
During the Synod of Bishops on synodality, Cardinal Barreto highlighted the importance of themes such as interculturality, the role of women, and addressing abuse and clericalism, especially in the Amazon region. He expressed a mix of enthusiasm and disillusionment during the discussions but believed that the Holy Spirit guided the synod towards a document that could benefit the universal church.
The role of women in the church was a significant topic of discussion, with Cardinal Barreto noting the predominant role of women in evangelization, both in the Amazon and globally. Additionally, the issue of sexual abuse, abuse of power, and clericalism was addressed proactively during the synod.
The recent expulsions of Father Jaime Baertl and Juan Carlos Len due to allegations of sexual misconduct and financial irregularities highlighted the need for a thorough investigation into the Sodalitium’s operations. Cardinal Barreto reiterated his previous comments that if an organization like Sodalitium has a history of abuses, it should be dissolved. However, he emphasized the importance of a comprehensive process to address corruption within the movement before making a final decision.
The Ecclesial Conference of the Amazon, formed after the 2019 Synod of Bishops for the Amazon, was commended by Cardinal Barreto as a growing entity that promotes synodality among the church in the Pan-Amazon region. He mentioned that Pope Francis views CEAMA as a promising initiative that could inspire other regions to adopt similar structures involving laypeople, religious, priests, and bishops.
In conclusion, Cardinal Barreto expressed confidence that the investigation into the Sodalitium’s alleged abuses and financial misconduct will lead to a decisive outcome in the coming weeks. He emphasized the need for transparency and accountability within church institutions to uphold the teachings of the Gospel and ensure justice for victims of abuse.
