Pope Francis is taking the highly unusual decision to dissolve an influential Catholic group from Peru which has been plagued by allegations of abuse from within its community, including allegations related to its founder,

Cardinal Gianfranco Ghirlanda announced the Sodalitium's suppression to its members during the group's General Assembly in Aparecida, Brazil Jan. 18.

The Sodalitium Christianae Vitae — which long based its U.S. presence in Colorado — on Monday confirmed the dissolution.

Amidst backlash over allegations of sexual abuse against a once-powerful Peruvian cardinal that went public earlier this week, both the prelate’s successor and the episcopal conference have backed the alleged victim and Pope Francis.

The Sodalitium does not indicate what the inaccuracies are but clarifies that the leak to the press of this 'confidential' information did not come from Cardinal Ghirlanda.

Pope Francis Friday met with the first survivor to publicly denounce abuses in the Peru-based Sodalitium Christianae Vitae (SCV), confirming its suppression and assuring his intention to put victims at the center of the process.

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) - Pope Francis has dissolved a Catholic religious community with members across South America and the United States, following years of investigations into alleged sexual and psychological abuse by the group's founder and others.

Pope Francis has dissolved the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae, a Catholic religious community based in Peru, due to allegations of sexual and psychological abuse by its founder, Luis Fernando Figari, and other members.

The sanctions imposed on Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani Thorne include restrictions “relating to his public activity, place of residence and use of insignia,” Vatican spokesman Matteo Bruni said.

Pope Francis dissolves the Sodalitium Christianae Vitae after uncovering abuses and financial mismanagement, marking a significant decision.

A retired archbishop who for decades was Peru's leading Catholic cleric has been disciplined following allegations of sexual abuse, the Vatican has said, confirming press reports.

Peruvian Cardinal Juan Luis Cipriani, the first cardinal of Opus Dei, said on Jan. 26 that abuse accusations made against him in a Spanish daily El País are "completely false," while acknowledging he was sanctioned by the Vatican in the past and saying that the sanctions were lifted by Pope Francis.