Vatican on Expulsion of Ten Members of the Sodalitium. Christianae Vitae and Two Contrasting Press Releases

(ZENIT News / Rome, 26.09.2024).- On Wednesday, September 25, the Apostolic Nunciature in Peru published a Press Note informing of the expulsion of ten members of the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae [Sodality of Christian Life]. For its part, on learning of this event, the U.S. Diocese of Colorado also issued a contrasting press release to that of the Nunciature in Peru. 

Here are both notes.

Press Note of the Apostolic Nunciature in Peru

On September 25, after assessing the corresponding complaints — which surfaced during the Special Mission entrusted to H.E. Monsignor Charles J. Scicluna, Archbishop of Malta and Deputy Secretary of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, and to Monsignor Jordi Bertomeu Farnós, official of the said Dicastery, which was held in the Apostolic Nunciature of Peru between July and August 2023, — the Holy Father Francis approved specifically the expulsion of the following members of Sodalitium Christianae Vitae a Society of Apostolic Life:

The former Superior General Mr. Eduardo Antonio Regal Villa.

The Archbishop Emeritus of Piura, H.E. Monsignor José Antonio Eguren Anselmi.

The former Regional Superiors: Revd. Rafael Alberto Ismodes Cascón, and Revd. Erwin Augusto Scheuch Pool.

The former Formators: Mr. Humberto Carlos Del Castillo Drago, Mr. Oscar Adolfo Tokumura Tokomura and Revd. Daniel Alfonso Cardó Soria. 

The former incorporated members: Mr. Ricardo Adolfo Trenemann Young and Mr. Miguel Arturo Salazar Steiger.

The journalist Mr. Alejandro Bermudez Rosell.

Considered in order to adopt such a disciplinary decision was the scandal produced by the number and gravity of the abuses reported by the victims, particularly contrary to the balanced and liberating living of the evangelical counsels in the context of the ecclesial apostolate. 

It is about cases of: 1) physical abuse, including sadism and violence; 2) conscience abuse, with sectarian methods to break subordinates’’ will; 3) spiritual abuse, with instrumentalization in the external forum of the information obtained in the non-sacramental internal forum or spiritual direction; 4) abuse of office and authority, with episodes of hacking of communications and harassment in the workplace, as well as coverup of crimes committed at the heart of this institution; 5) abuse in the administration of ecclesiastical properties; 6) abuse in the exercise of the apostolate of journalism.

Saddened by what has happened, Pope Francis together with the Bishops of Peru and of those places where the Sodality of Christian Life is present, ask the victims for forgiveness and join them in their sufferings. Moreover, they implore this Society of Apostolic Life to undertake a path of justice and reparation.

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Statement of the Archdiocese of Denver on the Expulsions from the Sodality of Christian Life

The Archdiocese of Denver is shocked and saddened by the news of members’ expulsion from the Sodality of Christian Life, based on decades-long accusations in South America. Although the Archdiocese is working actively to understand the total reach of the Vatican’s investigation, we cannot make specific comments. This news is inconsistent with our long experience of the men who have served in the Archdiocese of Denver. 

Among those names who live here, Father Daniel Cardó has served nobly and faithfully in Colorado for 17 years. During his time here, Father Cardó has not faced a single disciplinary action against him. He is loved by his faithful and very respected in the community. The Holy Name parish community of Sheridan, before dying, now prospers thanks to his commitment to the Lord and to those he serves.

Likewise, Eduardo Regal and Alejandro Bermúdez have served faithfully and with distinction in the Archdiocese of Denver, and the conclusions against them are profoundly disappointing, to say the least.