Final document based on the report on the Path of Truth
Introduction
This document is the result of the Path of Truth, which began in the spring of 2024, when Fr. Renato Colizzi, National Director of the Eucharistic Youth Movement (EYM), received reports of sexual abuse of minors committed by Fr. Sauro De Luca, SJ (†2012) during MEG activities. In agreement with the then Provincial of the EUM Province of the Society of Jesus, MEG initiated a listening process for survivors and witnesses, entrusting both the listening phase and the final report to a professional external to the Society of Jesus.
The reconstruction of events begins in 2010, the year in which several complaints were first received. Following the establishment of the Protection Office, a preliminary investigation was conducted. As a result, Fr. De Luca was subjected to restrictions and a life of seclusion, both to reflect on the accusations against him and to allow for the preparation of a canonical trial. During this period, Fr. De Luca made partial admissions. However, the preliminary investigation did not lead to a trial, as Fr. De Luca became seriously ill and died within a year.
Following his death, and given the presumption of innocence until a final verdict—as well as the impossibility of further legal proceedings—it was decided at the time not to make the facts public. This decision was based on two considerations: the accused could no longer defend himself, and the survivors explicitly requested anonymity and non-traceability, requests that remain in force today.
In line with the Church’s evolving approach to safeguarding, internal procedural changes were initiated at the provincial level to build awareness and prevention through the study and implementation of procedures, policies, processes, and training programmes. In 2010, an Abuse Delegate was appointed.
Despite the listening work carried out by the Abuse Delegate between 2010 and 2012, new reports emerged in 2024. At that point, the Province decided to create a renewed listening channel for survivors of Fr. De Luca’s abuse. While maintaining privacy and anonymity, this initiative sought to restore an “existential framework” to the events that had occurred.
With the Path of Truth, the Province therefore chose to resume and re-examine what had already been undertaken in 2010: to listen once more and to reconstruct a past that, while no longer legally verifiable, is considered plausible.
The beginning of the Path of Truth was announced in two interviews published on 1 October 2024 in Avvenire (pp. 1 and 20) and La Repubblica (p. 17). In these interviews, Fr. Colizzi stated: “We have decided to focus on the suffering of the victims and survivors. Some of them have reached out to us, and we thank them from the bottom of our hearts, while humbly asking forgiveness from them and their families.”
In May 2024, Dr. Grazia Villani was entrusted with listening to the testimonies of those who contacted the dedicated telephone line and email address established following the publication of these articles. Dr. Villani carried out this pastoral service free of charge.
This document organises and presents the material that emerged during this journey.
The Report
The Listening Process
The path toward initiating the Path of Truth was complex and demanding, requiring careful discernment of how best to reach survivors of Fr. De Luca’s abuse. Dr. Villani encountered significant difficulties in verifying events, primarily due to the passage of time: some key witnesses, MEG leaders, and survivors had died; others struggled to recall events that had taken place decades earlier.
During the Path of Truth, Dr. Villani was granted access to a report requested by the Provincial from the Provincial Archivist, documenting Fr. De Luca’s religious life from his entry into the novitiate. This reconstruction was based on consultations, correspondence, and Historiae domus (annual reports submitted by individual communities). Subsequently, the Province became aware of the existence of Fr. De Luca’s personal archive, consisting of notes, diaries, and photographs organised into 84 folders. This material was transferred to the Provincial Archives and made available to Dr. Villani. One of the diaries contains accounts of abuse inflicted on approximately thirty women, some of whom were minors.
All individuals who contacted Dr. Villani requested anonymity and non-traceability. The only names known to the Protection Office are those of two individuals who chose to contact the Provincial Curia directly.
Numerical Data
During the listening phase of the Path of Truth (October 2024 – September 2025), more than 60 people were heard:
● 25 people affected by abuse (20 of whom were abused by Fr. De Luca)
● 22 adults who were members of MEG or involved with MEG
● 16 Jesuit priests
These figures do not exclude the possibility of additional survivors. Other names of alleged victims were reported, but it was not possible to establish contact with them.
Profile of the Perpetrator and Types of Abuse
Fr. Sauro De Luca, SJ, was a member of the Society of Jesus and served as National Director of MEG from 1968 to 1998. Intelligent, articulate, and charismatic, he was widely regarded as dynamic and visionary. He contributed significantly to the renewal of MEG in the wake of the Second Vatican Council. Highly skilled at gaining the trust of young people and their families—often through personal visits—Fr. De Luca abused his position of authority and spiritual influence to exploit young women, some of whom were minors. He cultivated a group of “favourites,” creating discomfort and exclusion among others. He manipulated those he abused into believing that what occurred during confession or spiritual conversations was good, even beneficial for them, often leaving victims confused and burdened with guilt. When some young women asked him to stop, he reacted with anger and aggression.
Spiritual abuse, abuse of authority, and manipulation of conscience occurred primarily in the context of confession, spiritual accompaniment, and personal conversations. In some cases, these dynamics escalated into sexual abuse.
These encounters took place in Rome, Cortona, Assisi, Bardonecchia, and other locations where conferences or summer camps were held. Fr. De Luca often received visitors in his bedroom-study.
Knowledge of Complaints and Institutional Responses
Among those interviewed were Jesuits who had collaborated with Fr. De Luca, served as his superiors, or simply knew him. With very few exceptions, they reported having observed no inappropriate behaviour. Among lay collaborators and MEG participants, some inappropriate behaviours were known; however, their short- and long-term impact was significantly underestimated.
Among lay collaborators and MEG participants, some inappropriate behaviours were known; however, their short- and long-term impact was significantly underestimated.
Between the early 1980s and 2010, reports reached Fr. De Luca’s superiors but were not followed by concrete action. It is likely that the cultural context of the time contributed to this failure to intervene adequately.
Despite the restrictions imposed on him in 2010, Fr. De Luca did not comply fully with the orders of the Provincial or the local Superior and continued to meet with families.
During the listening process, it also emerged that another Jesuit had sexually abused five women during his involvement with MEG. In this case, the protocols adopted by the Province in 2015 enabled a timely investigation and assessment by the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, which declared the facts time-barred. Nevertheless, the Province imposed severe restrictions, which remain in force. The persons harmed have stated their satisfaction with the measures taken and the path proposed.
A Request for Forgiveness
To those who were harmed, to those who spoke out and felt unheard, to those who suffered in silence while their concerns were minimised, we—the EUM Province of the Society of Jesus—humbly ask for forgiveness.
With profound sorrow, we acknowledge serious shortcomings in the handling of reports. This painful awareness compels us to act with greater determination. Asking for forgiveness is only the first step in a journey that must be undertaken together.
Our Commitment
The case of Fr. De Luca has confronted the Province with a painful past and prompted the strengthening of formation programmes and safeguarding structures for Jesuits and lay collaborators involved in communities, apostolic works, and Ignatian pathways.
Structures Established
- A dedicated Protection Office staffed by qualified professionals
- An interdisciplinary team of experts overseeing the work of the Protection Office
Measures Implemented
- Integration of safeguarding and protection into initial and ongoing Jesuit formation
- Adoption of more rigorous criteria for the admission and evaluation of candidates
- Updated safeguarding protocols in apostolic works, including schools, MEG, and Centro Astalli
Measures in Progress
- Development of a comprehensive safeguarding manual for Jesuits and lay collaborators
- Revision of safeguarding protocols
- Introduction of a binding Code of Conduct for all members of the EUM Province
- Preparation of a procedural handbook outlining responses to complaints on a case-by-case basis
- Mandatory safeguarding training for all collaborators, with an obligation to report concerns promptly
Conclusion
Only by walking through this painful journey together, with courage and truth, can genuine renewal take place. The Society of Jesus undertakes this path alongside the universal Church, fully aware that the abuse of minors and vulnerable persons has proven to be a systemic failure within ecclesial contexts. This is the beginning of a profound process of change. As Pope Francis writes in Vos Estis Lux Mundi: “Even though much has already been done, we must continue to learn from the bitter lessons of the past in order to look to the future with hope.”
We are available for any discussion or further information.
P. Ronny Alessio SJ
EUM Provincial
