Pope Leo XIV Demands Zero Tolerance for All Abuse/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Pope Leo XIV has declared zero tolerance for all forms of abuse—sexual, spiritual, or of authority—in the Catholic Church. He emphasized the need for transparent processes and a prevention‑focused culture, praising journalists for exposing wrongdoing. His remarks coincide with efforts to dismantle Peru’s notorious Sodalitium Christianae Vitae group.
Quick Look
- No Tolerance for Abuse: The Pope demands accountability across the Church—spiritual, sexual, and power abuses included.
- Transparency & Prevention: Advocates for vigilant processes and active listening to survivors.
- Press Freedom Valued: Journalists are praised as essential to exposing corruption.
- Peru Scandal: His message responds to the Sodalitium scandal and recent theater adaptation.
- Dismantling the Group: Vatican envoy working to dismantle the group and handle its finances.
Pope Leo XIV Demands Zero Tolerance for All Abuse
Deep Look
Pope Leo XIV issued a powerful and uncompromising statement in a written message from Rome, declaring that the Catholic Church must develop a culture that “does not tolerate any form of abuse—neither of power or authority, nor abuse of conscience, spiritual or sexual.” This position responds to a high-profile scandal involving the Peruvian Catholic movement, Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, which has been exposed for sexual misconduct and financial corruption. The message was read aloud during a Lima theater performance based on the investigative work of journalist Paola Ugaz, who brought the scandal to light.
Highlighting the importance of diligent oversight, Leo emphasized, “This culture will only be authentic if it is born of active vigilance, of transparent processes and sincere listening to those who have been hurt.”
He underscored that without direct involvement in vetting and addressing misconduct, the Church cannot fulfill its moral obligations. His praise of journalists—urging public authorities to protect their freedom and calling press independence a “common good that cannot be renounced”—underscores his commitment to openness and accountability.
Leo’s engagement with the issue is not merely rhetorical. As a former missionary priest and bishop in Peru—a country where Sodalitium was founded in 1971—he has unique insight into the group’s operations. During his tenure as Bishop Robert Prevost, he oversaw efforts to listen to Sodalitium victims and spearhead financial restitution. After his appointment to the Vatican by Pope Francis in 2023, he helped dismantle the organization by prompting the resignation of a powerful internal bishop. Earlier this year, the movement was officially suppressed, just prior to the death of Francis.
Now as pontiff, Leo is overseeing the complete dismantling of the group’s infrastructure and handling its considerable assets. Monsignor Jordi Bertomeu, the Vatican envoy on site in Peru, read the Pope’s statement at the theater event and was publicly joined by Ugaz—symbolizing the Church’s shift toward transparency and survivor-centered justice. Ugaz, along with a survivor Pedro Salinas, have faced legal retaliation from Sodalitium figures for their exposé, making Leo’s support a significant affirmation of their work.
Survivors have demanded further action, seeking to broaden zero-tolerance policies to cover all forms of abuse, including cases involving adults—a demand Leo appears poised to meet. His intervention marks a decisive moment; he is upholding and expanding the anti-abuse legacy of his predecessor, Francis, and signaling a new era of accountability. By reinforcing protections and urging vigilance, Leo aims to instill trust and safety across the global Church.
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