(29 May 2025)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Lima, Peru – 29 May 2025
1. Various of briefing by resident of Catacaos village in land dispute with the Sodalitium Christinae Vitae, and group accusing members of the Sodalitium of sexual abuses
2. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Fiorella Martínez, resident of Catacaos, widow of a farmer killed during land expropriation:
"Today, 14 years have passed and there is still no justice for the murder of (my husband) Guadalupe (Zapata). This is why I ask the heaven to give us the justice we demand, and ask to make public the entirety of the (Pope Francis’) decree to dissolve the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae."
3. Photo of Fiorella Martínez with husband Guadalupe Zapata
4. Poster reding (Spanish): "We demand justice."
5. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Marcelino Ynga, farmer from Catacaos:
"On behalf of all my community and all Peruvians, we ask Father Leo to give us an opportunity to meet him to tell him about the pain peasants endured, how we have been abused by this organization linked to the Sodalitium."
6. Various of briefing
9. Various of resident of Catacaos village and people accusing of sexual abuses to members of the now dissolved Catholic group Sodalitium Christianae Vitae
10. SOUNDBITE (Spanish) Paola Ugaz, journalist and writer:
"I think this is important because this story has two popes as protagonists. First, Pope Francis, who at the time sent a message to the Catacaos community members telling them to defend their lands, and in his decision to dissolve the Sodalitium, he also accompanied the victims. And now Robert Prevost, who turned out to be Pope Leo XIV, has the opportunity close this process, meet with them. This is the request they are doing to this Peruvian Pope (Leo XIV), so that the Catholic church and the state finally take responsibility for so much pain caused for over more than 50 years."
11. Ugaz showing photos displayed during briefing
12. Various of people accusing the Sodalitum of various crimes
STORYLINE:
Groups alleging enduring multiple abuses from the former Catholic organization Sodalitium Christian Vitae, joined efforts on Thursday asking the church to make public it’s investigation.
Speaking in the Peruvian capital Lima, they called on Pope Leo XIV and the Peruvian government to hear their plea and continue a serious investigation of their accusations.
They are also demanding that the Peruvian government t liaise with the U.S. authorities, as the Sodalitium is also based in Denver.
These groups already have a history with Pope Leo XIV, who acting as priest and bishop Robert Prevost during his decades in Peru, heard their cases and took them to Pope Francis.
Francis sided with the victims and along with Prevost, investigated the cases and dissolved the Sodalitium Christian Vitae.
The groups are now requesting Pope Leo make public the decree to dissolve the Sodalitium.
The Sodalitium is a lay group that runs schools and spiritual retirement centers in several South American countries, but is also involved in real estate, agriculture and construction companies.
But the Sodalitium has come under increased scrutiny in recent years after its founder and some of its main leaders were accused of committing sexual abuses against children.
Peruvian prosecutors have also launched investigations into the Sodalitium’s finances and have accused the group of hiding money in offshore bank accounts.
In 2023, the Vatican sent a high level commission to Peru to investigate the Sodalitium’s actions.
The villagers also claimed they have been harassed with dozens of lawsuits.
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