Vatican abuse investigators begin their audit of secretive Peru-based Catholic society

LIMA, Peru — Two key Vatican investigators have begun an audit in Peru’s capital of a secretive Roman Catholic society with chapters across South America and in the U.S. following allegations that its founder sexually molested young recruits. “Scicluna and Bertomeu are the Van Helsing of pedophiles within the Catholic Church, they are monster hunters,” Pedro Salinas, a Peruvian journalist who authored the book “No News from God,” which was published last year. Sodalitium said in a statement last weekend that “they have been summoned to these meetings with the envoys of the Holy Father.” It added that it “will participate and collaborate in all the requirements that are requested.” In past statements, the society said that Figari, who is not a priest and has stepped down as Sodaltium’s head, insists he is innocent, though it notes he hasn’t said so publicly. Salinas told the AP on Tuesday that the Vatican investigation also involves the finances of the secular group that could exceed $1 billion in businesses including “agro-export companies, universities, schools, cemeteries, construction companies and others.” Scicluna and Bertomeu left the Apostolic Nunciature in Lima alone Tuesday to walk for a moment through nearby streets.