Pope Francis has taken the significant step of excommunicating Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, a former Vatican ambassador to the United States, after finding him guilty of schism. The excommunication marks a dramatic end to the relationship between the Vatican and one of Pope Francis’ most outspoken critics.
The grounds for Viganò’s excommunication are threefold: his refusal to recognize and submit to the authority of Pope Francis as the supreme pontiff, his rejection of communion with church members subject to the Pope, and his denial of the legitimacy and magisterial authority of the Second Vatican Council. This action effectively places Viganò outside the Catholic Church, barring him from celebrating or receiving its sacraments.
Schism is considered one of the gravest offenses in canon law. It’s particularly concerning to church authorities because it threatens the unity of the Catholic Church, a core principle of the faith.
Viganò, now 83 years old, has been a prominent and controversial figure in Catholic circles for over a decade. He first rose to international attention during the 2012 Vatileaks scandal, when Pope Benedict XVI’s butler leaked private papal documents. At that time, Viganò was serving as the second-in-command of the Vatican City state administration and had written letters exposing alleged corruption in Vatican contract awards.
Despite his efforts to remain in Rome, Viganò was appointed as the Vatican’s ambassador to the United States in 2011, a prestigious but politically distant post. He served in this role until 2016, during which time he helped organize Pope Francis’ 2015 visit to the US. This visit became controversial when it was revealed that Viganò had arranged a meeting between the Pope and Kim Davis, a Kentucky clerk who had refused to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
The relationship between Viganò and Pope Francis deteriorated significantly in August 2018. As the US Catholic Church was reeling from new sexual abuse scandals, Viganò published an 11-page letter accusing Pope Francis of covering up sexual abuse allegations against Cardinal Theodore McCarrick. The Vatican rejected these accusations, and a subsequent investigation largely absolved Pope Francis while faulting Viganò for failing to properly investigate claims against McCarrick when ordered to do so.
Following this incident, Viganò’s criticisms of Pope Francis became increasingly robust. He questioned the world’s response to COVID-19 pandemic and vaccines, appeared at various political rallies in the US ,and eventually refused to recognize Francis as the legitimate pope. Viganò has accused Pope Francis of heresy and strongly criticized his positions on issues such as immigration, climate change, and the treatment of same-sex couples.
Viganò was informed that the Vatican was launching a penal process against him in June. In response, he called the accusations “an honor” and refused to appear in person or in writing to defend himself. After the decision was announced, Viganò posted on social media, framing the Vatican’s ruling as a confirmation of his Catholic faith. He wrote, “What was attributed to me as guilt for my conviction is now put on record, confirming the Catholic Faith that I fully profess.”
This event underscores the ongoing tensions within the Catholic Church between Pope Francis and traditionalist factions. Francis has positioned himself as a reformer, making overtures towards the LGBT community, championing migrant rights, and speaking out against the excesses of capitalism. These stances have put him at odds with more conservative elements within the Church who view such positions as departures from traditional Catholic teaching.