The group, Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, which operates in seven Latin American countries and has communities in the archdioceses of Denver and Philadelphia, was subject to a Vatican investigation in 2023 for alleged abuses.

In a letter from the apostolic nunciature in Peru posted on the Peruvian bishops' conference website on Sept 25, the Vatican announced the expulsion of the ten members, including the former superior general, a retired archbishop and three other priests.

Read More

The villagers claim they are facing attempts to seize their land by companies associated with a prominent South American church organisation.

The villagers, part of the San Juan Bautista de Catacaos farmers community in northern Peru, allege they have been targeted through legal actions and dubious land titling methods.

In a recorded video message from the Vatican, Pope Francis addressed the villagers in Spanish.

He expressed solidarity with their plight.

He urged them to hold on to their land, saying "I know what happened to you. Defend your land and don't let them steal it".

Controversial lay group

The controversy concerns the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, a lay group with various interests including education, spirituality and business ventures.

Founded in Peru in 1971, the group has faced allegations of sexual abuse by its founder and leaders, prompting investigations and scrutiny into its activities.

The Vatican dispatched a commission to investigate the Sodalitium's actions, particularly regarding allegations of financial impropriety and abuse.

During their visit to Peru, the investigators met with members of the Catacaos community.

The group claim that the Sodalitium is attempting to claim ownership of over 1900 hectares (4,000 acres) of land they have cultivated for generations.

The Catacaos community allege the Sodalitium is using fraudulent documents and legal harassment.

Defenders of their land

The Peruvian villagers, who commemorate their community's 466th anniversary this year, received the Pope's message with gratitude.

Marcelino Ynga, the community's leader, expressed hope for a swift resolution from the Vatican regarding the Sodalitium's status.

Carlos Rodriguez, the community's lawyer, interpreted the Pope's message as acknowledgement and support for the villagers' struggle.

"These farmers are not delinquents" he said. "They are defenders of their land."

As the legal battle over the land dispute continues in Peruvian courts, Pope Francis's intervention adds moral weight to the villagers' cause.

It also highlights social justice, land rights and the role of religious institutions in local communities.

Sources

AP News

Latin Post

National Catholic Reporter

CathNews New Zealand

Cultural signs and gestures could be incorporated into the liturgy without changing what is essential for Catholics, bishops say.

Bishop Rafael Escudero Lopez-Brea of Peru, says this suggestion isn't about Catholics asking for a new "liturgical rite".

The essential elements "received by the Lord and the apostles in the Eucharist" would be retained, while introducing cultural elements.

"When we speak of this possibility, it means to introduce some symbols into the Eucharist, some rites that do not affect what is essential in the Eucharist because if not, we would ruin the sacrament and go against that revelation," Escudero says.

He was one of several participants who addressed the theme of inculturation to "open the church to discover new paths within the rich diversity of Amazonian culture".

Escudero says incorporating local traditions and cultural elements can already be seen in Eastern Catholic churches and Latin-rite Masses in Africa.

"If we study church history, we can see that before everything was unified under the Roman rite, a multiplicity of different rites existed according to the area," he says.

Bishop Eugenio Coter of Bolivia says certain symbols and gestures used in the Latin rite can have entirely different meanings depending on the country or culture.

"A bishop told me that a change was asked for the liturgy in Japan".

Coter says the change was requested because in Japan the gesture of beating one's chest is a gesture of pride, of affirmation, as if saying "I matter".

Therefore, "placing it during the 'Confiteor' has an entirely different meaning. An adaptation must be made," Coter says.

Another example Coter offers is about the use of incense during Mass.

He says for some indigenous groups in the Amazon, the use of incense, which "is a sign of God's presence" in the Latin rite, signifies prayers rising to God in heaven.

With indigenous Catholics, "incense is used during the prayers of the faithful", where the reader sprinkles the incense to show that "the prayer rises to heaven".

Coter says he supports the idea of setting up a commission of experts who can recommend ways to incorporate into the Eucharist "the language, signs, gestures, music and local culture of every ethnic group while safeguarding that which the word of God and faith tells us.

"That is why there are structural elements of the Eucharist that have not changed in 2,000 years,"he says.

However he says there are other things "that can be done - through a commission that has studied the issues - in a way that speaks to the people who live it".

Source

• The Tablet
• Image: Religion News Service