Italian Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, a staunch ultra-conservative critic of Pope Francis, has been found guilty of schism and excommunicated, according to the Vatican's doctrinal office on Friday.
Vigano, who served as the papal envoy in Washington from 2011 to 2016, went into hiding in 2018 after accusing Pope Francis of ignoring sexual misconduct allegations against U.S. Cardinal Theodore McCarrick and calling for the pope's resignation. He subsequently labeled Francis a “false prophet” and a “servant of Satan.”
The Vatican denied covering up sexual misconduct and last month summoned Vigano to face charges of schism and denying the pope's legitimacy. The doctrinal office's statement on Friday highlighted Vigano's refusal to recognize and submit to Pope Francis, evident from his public statements.
“At the conclusion of the penal process, the Most Reverend Carlo Maria Vigano was found guilty of the reserved delict (violation of the law) of schism,” the statement read, announcing his excommunication from the Church.
Vigano was informed of the decision on Friday. Although the statement did not mention the pope, it is unlikely that the excommunication occurred without Francis' approval.
Vigano, who primarily communicates via the X social network, did not immediately respond. Last week, he stated that he had refused to participate in the disciplinary proceedings, rejecting the legitimacy of the institutions behind it. “I do not recognize the authority of the tribunal that claims to judge me, nor of its Prefect, nor of the one who appointed him,” he said, referring to Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez, head of the doctrinal office, and Pope Francis.
In a lengthy text, Vigano referred to the pope by his surname, “Bergoglio,” and accused him of promoting an “inclusive, immigrationist, eco-sustainable, and gay-friendly” Church that had deviated from its true message. Francis has upset many conservatives by extending overtures to divorcees and the LGBT community and advocating for mercy and forgiveness over strict enforcement of Catholic doctrine.
The pope has also clashed with conservatives and traditionalists by supporting immigrant ‘rights’, combating climate change, and criticizing the excesses of capitalism. Last year, Francis dismissed another arch-conservative critic from the U.S., Bishop Joseph E. Strickland of Tyler, Texas, following a Vatican investigation and his refusal to step down voluntarily.
