The Vatican said on Friday it had excommunicated the archbishop Carlo Maria ViganoThe former Catholic ambassador to the United States was convicted of separatism for refusing to recognize Pope Francis’ authority and the liberal reforms enacted after the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s.
Archbishop Viganò has become one of Francis’ most outspoken conservative critics, calling him a “false prophet” and a “servant of Satan” in public statements while embracing right-wing conspiracy theories and Praising Former President Donald J. Trump.
In 2018, he wrote an 7000-word letter The pontiff has called for his resignation, accusing him of covering up sexual abuse by American cardinals. Back in 2015, he invited a gay rights critic to Washington to greet the pope, challenging Francis’ message of inclusivity.
Since then, he has taken an anti-vaccine stance, blamed Western “deep state” forces for the war in Ukraine and demonized Russia.
Despite his excommunication, Archbishop Viganò will retain his title, but he will not be allowed to celebrate Mass, receive or administer the sacraments, or hold an official position within the church hierarchy.
Archbishop Vigano did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Robert Moynihan, editor of the Vatican magazine, which frequently publishes Archbishop Vigano’s views, said Archbishop Vigano was summoned to appear before the Vatican’s religious discipline department on June 28 but did not travel to Rome.
On the contrary, Archbishop issue a statement He said he recognised “not the authority of the tribunal which purports to judge me, nor that of its governor, nor that of the man who appointed him”.
He also once again attacked the church’s liberal changes, accusing the pope of a “crime against humanity” for promoting vaccines. He also condemned the pope’s “persistence in climate fraud” and Francis’ vision of an “immigrant, ecologically sustainable and gay-friendly” church.
Francis has also punished other outspoken right-wing clergy. Dismissed In 2022, Cardinal Raymond Burke, a leading figure among Catholic traditionalists who believe Francis is watering down doctrine, was kicked out of his subsidized apartment at the Vatican last year. According to reports.
