Vatican excommunicates Archbishop Carlo Viganò from RCC for schism

Carlo Maria Viganò. Photo: adcon.info

On July 5, 2024, the Vatican has officially excommunicated Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò from the Roman Catholic Church, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith announced Friday.

The Vatican announced the latae sententiae excommunication (automatic excommunication) of Archbishop Viganò, citing his refusal to acknowledge and submit to Pope Francis and his refusal to communicate with members of the Church under the Pope's authority. Additionally, Viganò does not recognize the legitimacy and magisterial authority of the Second Vatican Council of the Catholic Church.

The former papal nuncio to the United States has now faced the most severe punishment in the Catholic Church: he is forbidden from communicating with the faithful and is denied access to the sacraments.

Archbishop Viganò, known for his accusations against high-ranking church officials of covering up abuses committed by former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, has repeatedly rejected Pope Francis's authority and called for his resignation.

In his lengthy statement on June 28, Viganò accused the Pope of "heresy and schism" due to his promotion of the COVID-19 vaccine and his oversight of the agreement between the Vatican and China regarding the appointment of bishops.

According to Viganò, Pope Francis's actions and beliefs make him a heretic and a schismatic. Viganò also stated that he does not consider himself to be separated from communion with the Church and the Pope, with whom he never communicated.

On June 20, Viganò revealed on social media that he had been summoned to Rome to respond to charges of schism. The specific charges included public statements denying the legitimacy of Pope Francis and the Second Vatican Council.

In response to the charges, Viganò stated that he had not submitted any materials in his defense to the Vatican, not recognizing the authority of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Archbishop Viganò's excommunication can now only be lifted by the "Apostolic See".

Previously, it was reported that Catholic Church hierarch Carlo Maria Viganò refused to appear before the Vatican court.

Read also