Lima, Peru, Oct 27, 2015 / 14:44 pm

The superior general of the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae has made public that the community has had an apostolic visitor since April, who is charged with investigating accusations that its founder committed sexual abuse.

The apostolic visitor, who was appointed April 22, is Bishop Fortunato Pablo Urcey, Prelate of Chota. He was charged by the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life with investigating allegations of abuse committed by Luis Fernando Figari.

"When we were told this measure was being taken, the Holy See asked us to not make the visit public or to share who had been appointed as (apostolic) visitor, so he could carry out his work in a serene environment without any pressure from the media," Alessandro Moroni Llabrés, superior general of the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, stated Oct. 26.

"In the midst of the difficult situation we are going through, I requested authorization to make public that this investigation includes an apostolic visitation to our communities in Peru," Moroni stated.

He explained that the visit began in August "and should conclude in March 2016."

Bishop Pablo, who  made solemn profession in the Order of Augustinian Recollects in 1968, was tasked with "determin(ing) the actual authenticity" of "accusations of improper behavior leveled at the founder of this society of apostolic life."

According to the decree of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, Bishop Pablo will have to write and send "a detailed account of his investigation and findings" to the dicastery.

The apostolic visitatation is in response to accusations that the Holy See has received against Figari.

The Sodalitium Christianae Vitae is a society of apostolic life which was founded in 1971 in Peru, and granted pontifical recognition in 1997. Alejandro Bermúdez, executive director of CNA, is a member of the community.

Figari stepped down as superior general of the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae in 2010.

In addition to Peru, the community operates in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Chile, Ecuador, the United States, and Italy.