Vatican excommunicates former US ambassador Vigano, declares him guilty of schism
Vatican excommunicates former US ambassador Vigano, declares him guilty of schism (yahoo.com)
ROME (AP) — The Vatican has excommunicated its former ambassador to the U.S., Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, after finding him guilty of schism, an inevitable end for the firebrand conservative who became one of Pope Francis ' most ardent critics and a symbol of the polarized Catholic Church in the U.S. and beyond.
The Vatican's doctrine office imposed the penalty after a meeting of its members on Thursday and informed Vigano of its decision Friday, a press statement said.
It cited Vigano's “refusal to recognize and submit to the Supreme Pontiff, his rejection of communion with the members of the church subject to him, and of the legitimacy and magisterial authority of the Second Vatican Council.”
The Vatican excommunication means that Vigano is formally outside the church, and cannot celebrate or receive its …More