Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano Excommunicated for Schism by Pope Francis' Order

Jul 5, 2024, 04:04 PM

Italian Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, a fierce ultra-conservative critic of Pope Francis, has been found guilty of schism and excommunicated by the Vatican. The Vatican's doctrinal office, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, announced the decision on July 5, following a trial that concluded on July 4. Vigano, the former papal envoy and ambassador to the United States, had branded Pope Francis a 'false prophet' and a 'servant of Satan'. His excommunication, ordered by Pope Francis, was described as 'latae sententiae', meaning it was automatic upon committing the offense. This decision underscores the ongoing tensions within the Catholic Church, particularly between its conservative and progressive factions.