Juan Landázuri Ricketts (December 19, 1913, Arequipa, Peru – January 16, 1997, Lima, Peru ) was one of the most prominent Catholic bishops during the 1960s and 1970s in Latin America.
62-579: Sodalitium Christianae Vitae (SCV), or Sodalitium of Christian Life , is a Society of Apostolic Life of Pontifical Right . It was founded in Lima , Peru, by Luis Fernando Figari on 8 December 1971. It acquired its present canonical form when Pope John Paul II gave his Pontifical approval on 8 July 1997. The Sodalitium was the first male religious society in Peru to receive papal approval. By 1997, there were Sodalit communities in several countries. The Sodalitium
124-426: A former member, and journalist Paola Ugaz published a book, Mitad Monjes, Mitad Soldados ( Half Monks, Half Soldiers ) which reported abuse and mistreatment, including sexual abuse, by Luis Fernando Figari. The movement first published a response which was later considered insufficient, then said that it was "a cause for deep grief and shame if such acts could have been committed by Luis Fernando Figari ... We condemn
186-655: A need to be addressed that their founders recognized. Most apostolic societies focus on one or more aspects of the corporal and spiritual works of mercy . Vincent de Paul 's, Congregation of the Mission and the Daughters of Charity belong to a group of societies founded in the 16th and 17th century to respond to increasing poverty in France. De Paul chose not to establish the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul as
248-476: A number of campaigns throughout the year that focus on assisting the poor and evangelisation. Apostolic work with young people takes place in different areas, such as in universities, schools, youth organisations and groups of formation, especially in the Christian Life Movement, offering conferences, missions, talks, courses, spiritual accompaniment, and retreats. Sodalits seek to evangelise
310-712: A project which sought to care for sick children also emerged at the Children's Hospital in Lima. In 1981, the first priest of the Sodalitium, Fr. Jaime Baertl Gomez, was ordained by the Archbishop of Arequipa , Fernando Vargas Ruiz de Somocurcio , SJ . In early 1984 the Formation Centre, dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe , was inaugurated just south of Lima, in the coastal town of San Bartolo , to serve for
372-402: A religious order, as at that time, women religious were "enclosed" ( cloistered ), and that state was "not compatible with the duties of their vocation". A community needs the written approval of a bishop to operate within his diocese . Clerics of a society of apostolic life are usually incardinated into the society and not the diocese, unless specified otherwise in its constitution (e.g.
434-831: A response to contemporary culture in 1965 by the decree of the Second Vatican Council , Apostolicam Actuositatem , the Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity . While societies of apostolic life are considered a new organisational type in the Church, the idea has roots that can be traced back to the 16th and 17th centuries with the foundations started by Philip Neri , Charles Borromeo , Pierre de Bérulle , Vincent de Paul , Louise de Marillac , Jean-Jacques Olier , and others. Members of these societies are fully dedicated to
496-415: Is a fundamental area of apostolate for the Sodalitium. The Sodalitium's stated aims include investigating and developing thought and reflection to improve people's cultural conditions. Some members of the Sodalitium and its spiritual family carry out development, research and teaching at various levels, in many different areas of culture and the professional world. According to Figari the Sodalitium emphasise
558-744: Is a group of men or women within the Catholic Church who have come together for a specific purpose and live fraternally. It is regarded as a form of consecrated (or "religious") life . There are a number of apostolic societies, such as the Daughters of Charity of Saint Vincent de Paul , who make vows or other bonds defined in their constitutions to undertake to live the evangelical counsels of poverty, chastity, and obedience (See Can. 731 §2.). However, unlike members of an institute of consecrated life ( religious institute or secular institute ), members of apostolic societies do not make religious vows —that is, "public vows". This type of organization
620-517: Is composed of consecrated laymen and priests, called "Sodalits," who live in community as brothers and make commitments—not religious vows as such—of celibacy and obedience. Being recognised as a lay society of apostolic life of pontifical right, the Sodalitium is under the authority of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life of the Holy See . It
682-400: Is defined in the 1983 Code of Canon Law under canons 731–746. Under the 1917 Code of Canon Law , which preceded the current one, this manner of life was referred to as a society of common life . Members of apostolic societies prioritize mission over community life. According to Robert P. Maloney CM, community life should be strong enough to be supportive to those who have pledged to pursue
SECTION 10
#1732788109419744-628: The Sulpicians who are members of both the Society and diocese). Each community has a right to its own oratory . Members of a Society of apostolic life are allowed to own personal property, but must normally live in community with one another Canon law (canon 731) speaks of such societies as being "comparable to institutes of consecrated life ". They are regulated by the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life . A society of apostolic right can be approved by
806-611: The 1968 Medellin Conference . He was regularly elected as the leader of local episcopal conference almost without opposition until he reached the age of 75 in 1988. During this period, in accordance with his Franciscan ideals, Landázuri Ricketts left the Archbishop's palace and moved into a small house in a working-class area of Lima. Although he served on the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue during
868-535: The 1970s, his relationship with the Vatican soured after the ascension of John Paul II . That pope believed that liberation theology posed problems for Catholicism and was too involved in opposition to temporal political systems. Despite being an extremely respected prelate, Landázuri Ricketts had to accept more conservative Opus Dei bishops and sympathisers being appointed in Peru during the 1980s and 1990s. Due to his advancing age, he resigned his role as head of
930-508: The Bishop of the Diocese of Huaraz , Peru, Fernando Vargas Ruiz de Somocurcio, promulgated a "Decree of Praise" that invited the members of Sodalitium to carry out apostolic missions in that diocese. The Archbishop of Lima and Primate of Peru, Cardinal Juan Landázuri Ricketts , OFM , encouraged the Sodalitium and in 1977 approved their statutes as a private association of the faithful . It
992-794: The Church , several authors of the Benedictine and Cistercian school – among them St. Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153) – as well as by the French school of spirituality , including Cardinal Pierre de Berulle (1575-1629). as well as by some spiritual authors of the Spanish Catholic Reformation , including Cardinal Abbot Francisco Jiménez de Cisneros (1455-1510), Fray Luis de Granada (1504-1588) and St. John of Ávila (1500-1569). Society of apostolic life#Society of Apostolic Life of Pontifical Right God Schools Relations with: A society of apostolic life
1054-615: The Denver house), were expelled, accused of abuse and financial corruption. In April 2015, the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life appointed Bishop Fortunato Urcey , Prelate of Chota , as apostolic visitor tasked with investigating charges of "improper behavior" on the part of Figari. His work in Peru was scheduled to last from August 2015 to March 2016. In May 2016, Archbishop Joseph W. Tobin of Indianapolis (later Cardinal Archbishop of Newark)
1116-708: The Extraordinary General Assembly in January 2011 Eduardo Regal Villa, who since 2001 had been Vicar General and General Coordinator of the Christian Life Movement, was elected Superior General. In December 2012, at the Fourth Ordinary General Assembly Sodalit delegates for the assembly elected Alessandro Moroni Llabrés, a Peruvian, who had been superior in Santiago, Chile since 1999. In 2015 Pedro Salinas,
1178-673: The First Plenary Assembly of the CLM in Rome, on 6 December, Pope John Paul II spoke to members of the Christian Life Movement and the Sodalitium of Christian Life and invited them to be "artisans of reconciliation in today's world." The Second Ordinary General Assembly of the Sodalitium of Christian Life was held in the city of Lima in December 2000, in which the founder of the Sodalitium was again elected as superior general. in 2001
1240-593: The Holy See approved the incardination of Sodalit priests to the Sodalitium, which concluded the juridical process as a society of apostolic life. In 2002 the Immaculate Heart of Mary community was established in Guayaquil, Ecuador. On 16 February 2002, Pope John Paul II appointed José Antonio Eguren , a Sodalite, an auxiliary bishop of Lima; he received his episcopal consecration on 7 April. Accepting
1302-533: The Holy See. The General Assembly is the highest authority in the Sodalitium; its decisions are binding for all members. The Sodalitium is governed by a Superior General who serves for a term of six years. In January 2019 José David Correa González was chosen by the Vatican Congregation for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life during the general assembly. Together with
SECTION 20
#17327881094191364-604: The March) is a social programme and charity branch of the SCV. Its stated goals are human development and poverty eradication. Through third-party support, Solidaridad en Marcha runs social projects in health care, education, and community development. Their work also includes urban infrastructure development, the construction of water systems, transportation systems, community kitchens, parks and playgrounds, schools, day-care and community centres, chapels, and medical clinics. They also conduct
1426-642: The Marian Community of Reconciliation, an association of women consecrated for apostolic service, who live in community. In 1992 the Sodalitium founded a community in the Diocese of Santo Amaro, in the city of São Paulo in Brazil. The following year the Christian Life Movement arrived in San José, Costa Rica . On 22 February 1994, after obtaining the official permission from the Holy See, the Sodalitium
1488-627: The Mother of the Faith and the Our Lady of the Sea communities were inaugurated. The Fifth International Congress on Reconciliation was also organised. On 8 July 1997, Pope John Paul II approved the Sodalitium of Christian Life as a lay Society of Apostolic Life of Pontifical Right , under the supervision of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life. A few months later
1550-838: The Our Lady of the Lake Formation Center was founded in the town of Nemi, near Rome, and was conceived as a home for Sodalits who would study in Roman universities. After the Fifth General Conference of Latin American and Caribbean Bishops in Aparecida, Brazil which was held in 2007, the Sodalitium founded in 2010 the St. Mary of the New Evangelization community in this Marian sanctuary in Brazil. At
1612-690: The Philippines and the United States, in a total of 16 cities. Tens of thousands of young people attended these Congresses. Since 2014, "brothers" from SCV have headed the Newman Center at the University of Pennsylvania. "Culture" is understood by the Sodalitium as the sphere in which human beings are educated and come to know themselves, in which values are formed, in which truth, goodness, and beauty are recognised and appreciated. It
1674-550: The Pope. The diocesan bishop must consent to the "erection of a house and establishment of a local community", and must also be consulted concerning its suppression. Juan Land%C3%A1zuri Ricketts This was a period in which the Church took a strong stance against human rights abuses by numerous military juntas ; it also expressed a preference for the poor and concerns about extreme poverty and wealth inequality. Before he turned 80 on December 19, 1993, Juan Landázuri Ricketts
1736-578: The Santa Maria school in the city of Chincha, to the South of Lima in 1985. In 1986, the Sodalitium founded its first community outside Peru at the invitation of Cardinal Eugenio de Araújo Sales, Archbishop of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, assuming responsibility for the Our Lady of Guidance (Nossa Senhora da Guia) parish. In June 1987 in Lima, the first pastoral centre St. Mary of the Evangelisation
1798-668: The Sodalit Family were invited to participate in the World Congress of Ecclesial Movements which took place at that time. On 15 August 1998, Figari founded the Servants of the Plan of God, a group of women consecrated to God; they live in community and evangelise and promote solidarity. In January 1999, the Sodalitium erected the Our Lady of Carmen (Nuestra Señora del Carmen) community in Santiago, Chile. That same year during
1860-707: The Sodalit community Our Lady of the Evangelization (Nossa Signora della Evangelizazione) was established in Rome. Near the end of the year the St. Paul Catholic University was founded in Arequipa. The Sodalitium promoted the participation of the Christian Life Movement in the Encounter of Ecclesial Movements and New Communities, convened by Pope John Paul II during the feast of Pentecost in May 1998. Several members of
1922-532: The Sodalitium on spirituality are as follows. Along with the common spirituality of the Catholic Church, the Sodalitium has its own spirituality ("the Sodalit spirituality"), discipline and style, which the members consider to be suitable means to live one's conversion and mission within the Church. The spirituality of the Sodalitium has been influenced by Blessed William Joseph Chaminade (1761-1850), St. Ignatius of Loyola (1491-1556), several Fathers of
Sodalitium Christianae Vitae - Misplaced Pages Continue
1984-519: The Sodalitium to found a community in Lima's neighboring diocese. At the request of the Archbishop of Medellín, Cardinal Alfonso Lopez Trujillo, the Sodalitium arrived in Colombia and assumed responsibility for a parish in 1990. Later that year a second community was founded in Brazil in the city of Petrópolis, where Sodalits began helping in youth apostolate in universities, high school education and other solidarity efforts. 25 March 1991, Figari founded
2046-787: The Superior General, the other members that make up the Superior Council are the Vicar General, and five General Assistants who are responsible for the five areas of Spirituality, Instruction, Apostolate, Communications, and Temporal Goods. Each is also elected at the General Assembly for the same period of time. The members of the Sodalitium participate in the evangelizing mission of the Church, seeking to influence particularly young and poor people. Other areas of apostolate are carried out, especially regarding
2108-520: The Vatican had been asked to dissolve the Sodalitium, and said that Sodalitium Christianae Vitae and any other religious movement mired in sexual abuse should be dissolved. In October 2024, Carlos Castillo Mattasoglio , the Archbishop of Lima, called for the Sodalitium to be suppressed, describing the group as having political and economic ambition and also "the resurrection" of fascist influence in Latin America . The Sodalitium of Christian Life
2170-407: The apostolate and life in a fraternal community, with a formal commitment to order their lives to the work of evangelization. The Sodalitium says there are many different areas of evangelization, three "apostolic accents" are of particular importance: Christian solidarity with those who are in need and marginalized, the evangelisation of youth, and of culture. The promotion of the family and defending
2232-688: The country. By 1962 he had been selected as Primate of Peru and was made a Cardinal-Priest of Santa Maria in Aracoeli by Pope John XXIII in June 1962. He made great efforts, aided by the Jesuits in Peru, to consolidate the vast archives of the Lima Archdiocese. These had accumulated since Spanish colonisation of Latin America and were invaluable sources of the history of the region. In
2294-518: The family, and considers marriage as a way of holiness and the first line of evangelization, and as teacher of the faith, as well as respect for personal liberty and life. The Sodalitium has several branches that represent and promote different spiritual expressions: Two SCV members have been ordained bishops: Archbishop José Antonio Eguren of Piura , and Bishop Kay Schmalhausen of the Prelature of Ayaviri . Both dioceses are in Peru. The views of
2356-633: The family, the defence of life and education. The SCV is concerned with what they call " solidarity with the poor", which includes apostolic work around the world to meet this concern. Parishes have been entrusted to the Sodalitium in the archdiocese of Lima, Peru; the diocese of Chosica, Peru; and the archdiocese of Medellin, Colombia; the Archdiocese of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; A group of brothers work at St. Agatha-St. James Parish in Philadelphia, United States. Solidaridad en Marcha (Solidarity on
2418-550: The first years of initial formation. Also in 1984, Archbishop Fernando Vargas Ruiz de Somocurcio, SJ, invited the Sodalitium to found a community in the southern Peruvian city of Arequipa, the first such community outside of Lima. The same year Figari was invited to the give his "Catechesis on Love", at the first World Youth Day in Rome . In January 1985 the First International Conference on Reconciliation
2480-422: The following period Landázuri Ricketts led during a period when priests rapidly developed liberation theology and a theory of resistance to the military dictatorship under Ricardo Perez Godoy who ruled Peru. Landázuri Ricketts responded to this with considerable support, also trying to ensure that the laity and nuns had considerable say in local decision-making. He became a major participant as Acting President in
2542-633: The general delegation of his order as early as 1943. After finishing his theological studies in 1949, Landázuri Ricketts served briefly a faculty member of the Franciscan Theological Seminary in Puerto Ocopa . His status within the wider Church was rising rapidly, and he was selected as the general definitor of the Order of Friars Minor by 1951. The following year, Landázuri Ricketts was appointed titular bishop of Roina and
Sodalitium Christianae Vitae - Misplaced Pages Continue
2604-433: The incidents that may have occurred, especially the sexual abuse". They said that the testimonies in the book were plausible and needed to be thoroughly clarified, and that former members of the Movement had reported abuse. Ecclesial authorities were investigating. The SCJ created a committee of members and non-SCJ experts to meet with any person affected, and said they were committed to thoroughly investigating and clarifying
2666-524: The institute's superior general turned over to Peru's Office of the Public Prosecutor information identified in the committee's recent report regarding the sexual abuse of minors by its founder and by four of its former members. In July 2023, Maltese Archbishop Charles Scicluna and Monsignor Jordi Bertomeu, acting on orders from Pope Francis, began an audit investigation against the Sodalitium Christiane Vitae. In August 2024, Pope Francis expelled Sodalitium Christianae Vitae founder Luis Fernando Figari after it
2728-412: The invitation of the Archbishop of Denver, Charles Chaput, to administer the Saint Malo's Retreat Center, the Sodalitium founded a community in the US state of Colorado in 2003. The Sodalitium is also present in Buenos Aires , Argentina, in Bogotá, Colombia, and in San José, Costa Rica. In Santiago, Chile a second Sodalit community was established in 2007, under the name of Mother of the Apostles. In 2009
2790-445: The life and dignity of humans are other important areas, as well as education are considered means to achieve the vocation regarding culture. The Sodalitium of Christian Life was founded by Luis Fernando Figari on 8 December 1971. The group was formally consolidated during a ceremonial Mass in Lima, Peru. In 1972, Germán Schmitz, Auxiliary Bishop of Lima, encouraged Sodalitium to develop in the Archdiocese of Lima . Later that same year,
2852-403: The new generations of young people into their faith, especially on World Youth Days. Since 1977, the Sodalitium and the Christian Life Movement have sponsored an International Youth Congress called Convivio , for Catholic youth who come to it from around the world for a weekend. In 2010, Convivio Congresses were held in Australia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, England, Peru, Angola,
2914-413: The obedience of his brothers [he] used improper strategies and methods of persuasion, that is to say, underhanded, arrogant and nonetheless violent and disrespectful of the right to the inviolability of one's own interiority and discretion". In January 2017, the Congregation for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life prohibited Figari from having any contact with other members of
2976-428: The organization conducted an investigation which resulted in a conclusion that Figari was guilty of sex abuse and was that he was also now in a state of persona non grata . Moroni stated that “After the testimonies received, we consider Luis Fernando Figari guilty of the allegations of abuse against him and declare him persona non grata in our organisation as we deplore and wholly condemn his behaviour.” In February 2017
3038-495: The same apostolic purpose, and flexible enough to allow members to respond to the urgent needs of those they serve. In community, apostolic societies must maintain a balance between prayer and active works. The work of various apostolic societies differs significantly from one another. They may focus on preaching, teaching, health-care, seminary education, foreign missions, retreat work, advocacy for justice, and many other objectives. Almost all apostolic societies had their origins in
3100-464: The society. Figari filed appeals twice; both were rejected. In January 2018, the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life appointed Redemptorist Bishop Noel Londoño Antonio Buitrago of Jericó, Colombia, as Apostolic Commissary to oversee the SCV. The Sodalitium Christianae Vitae is ruled by the constitutions approved by the Holy See. This structure is quite similar to other societies of consecrated life approved by
3162-433: The statutes were amended in 1986. The group remained a private association of the faithful, but with the structure of a Society of Apostolic Life (institutions dedicated to the apostolate, living communally according to their own constitutions). The new statutes were approved in 1989 and the Sodalitium of Christian Life was canonically erected in the Archdiocese of Lima. The Bishop of Callao, Ricardo Durand Flórez, SJ, invited
SECTION 50
#17327881094193224-595: The truth about "the incidents, which are intolerable, because they involve grave suffering for persons who trusted our community, and they betray our deepest values". They said they were available to cooperate with civil and ecclesial authorities. There were thirty allegations of abuse by Fernando Figari and his closest associates, including Daniel Murguía and Germán Doig. Salinas's book also details Fernando Figari's involvement in his youth with extreme right-wing, and phalangist groups. In April 2016, Sodalitium leader Alessandro Moroni posted an online video where he claimed that
3286-475: Was chosen in 1955 to replace the deceased Juan Gualberto Guevara as Archbishop of Lima. His appointment coincided with a radically modernising military dictatorship under Manuel Odria . Efforts at such reform were repeated until 1980. As Archbishop, he collaborated with these efforts for sweeping agricultural and institutional reforms to take Peru into the modern world and develop its great economic potential. He believed that these would improve social conditions in
3348-686: Was determined that he engaged in sex abuse and financial corruption. In September 2024, Pope Francis expelled a bishop and nine priests and laymen from the society who were accused of a variety of crimes including physical abuse with "sadism and violence", abuse of conscience, spiritual abuse, the abuse of power and authority, and covering up crimes, and abuse of "the apostolate of journalism". Figari and other members of Sodalitium Christiane Vitae were found to have sexually abused 19 minors and 17 adults since 1975. In October 2024, four more Sodalitium members, including former Sodalitium vicar general and Figari assistant José Andrés Ambrozic Velezmoro (former superior of
3410-450: Was erected as a Society of Apostolic Life of Diocesan Right by the Archbishop of Lima, Cardinal Augusto Vargas Alzamora, SJ. Shortly after the Christian Life Movement was approved as an International Private Association of the Faithful of Pontifical Right on 23 March. In December the Sodalitium held its First Ordinary General Assembly, in which the Guidelines for Fraternal Life ( Pautas para la vida fraterna ) were presented. In Lima in 1995
3472-410: Was named to oversee the reform of Sodalit. On 30 January 2017, as a result of Urcey's investigation, the Congregation decreed that Figari should have no further contact with members of the Sodalit community. Urcey had reported that while Figari was Superior General he had "adopted a style of government excessively or improperly authoritarian, directed to impose one's own will," and that "in order to obtain
3534-399: Was opened by the Sodalitium. In Arequipa the Southern Institute (Instituto del Sur) was founded, offering courses for technical careers from a perspective of integral human formation. With the publication of the new Code of Canon Law in 1983, the Sodalitium sought a clarification of its canonical status. After several consultations with the Archbishop of Lima, Cardinal Juan Landázuri Ricketts,
3596-415: Was organised in the city of Arequipa in order to reflect on Pope John Paul II 's Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation Reconciliatio et Paenitentia . In the same year the Christian Life Movement was formed. The Life and Spirituality (Vida y Espiritualidad) association also arose, and began publishing a journal, entitled the Revista VE. At the request of the parents, the Sodalitium assumed the administration of
3658-411: Was started in Peru in 1971. It is a society of apostolic life made up of lay people and priests. A society of apostolic life is a group of men or women within the Catholic Church who have come together to live for a specific mission. Their members do not take religious vows , but instead make promises defined in the Code of Canon Law (731-755). Societies of Apostolic Life were introduced by the Church as
3720-494: Was the first lay society of apostolic life to receive pontifical approval. There have been accusations of brainwashing of young people, and of elitism, conservatism, and authoritarianism; and accusations, supported by a report commissioned by the SCV, of sexual abuse by founder Luis Fernando Figari and other Sodalites. There have also been allegations of Figari's right-wing and falangist activism in his youth. In 2020, Cardinal Pedro Barreto Jimeno , Archbishop of Huancayo, said that
3782-476: Was the first step in the ecclesiastical-jurdical process that led the Sodalitium to its current form. Together with the first experiences of community life in Lima which began in 1978, the first guidelines were drafted for the fraternal life in common. These brought together different aspects from the Church's tradition of religious communities. In a house in the district of Jesus Maria, small groups of Sodalits began an experiment of fraternal life in common. In 1980,
SECTION 60
#17327881094193844-409: Was the last cardinal elevated by Pope John XXIII to retain voting rights in a papal conclave . Born as Guillermo Eduardo Landázuri Ricketts in 1913 in Arequipa , Peru , he was educated in Catholic schools. He joined the Order of Friars Minor in 1937 (taking the name Juan) and became a priest two years later. His ability as a priest was immediately noticed, and he was appointed as secretary to
#418581