Pope Francis dissolves South American Catholic group mired in scandal
ReutersJAN 8
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Above: Pope Francis addresses the crowd from the window of the apostolic palace overlooking St Peter's Square during his Sunday Angelus prayer at the Vatican on Jan. 12, 2025. Image copyright: Alberto Pizzoli/Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
Sodalitium Vitae Christianae has been nothing but a disgrace to the Catholic Church, abusing its well-intentioned rank-and-file members to promote its political agenda in Latin America. It's a relief to know that the Vatican has finally dissolved this group.
Narrative B
Though it's indeed positive news that Pope Francis has suppressed the Sodalitium Vitae Christianae movement, this decision does little to solve the systemic abuse within the Catholic Church. If the Vatican really wants to tackle these issues, it's time to empower lay people to hold their peers, as well as those more senior to them, to account in cases of exploitation.