When someone stops being obedient to the Pope or his Catholic subjects, it is called schism, one of the most serious offenses according to canon law.
From 2011 to 2016, Carlo Maria Vigano represented the Vatican in the United States; nevertheless, he disappeared in 2018.
CardinalThis followed his accusation that Pope Francis was aware of US Cardinal Theodore McCarrick’s sexual misbehavior but chose to take no action.
The Vatican has refuted this claim.
The Pope was also called a “false prophet” and a “servant of Satan” by Vigano, who then demanded his resignation.
The Vatican’s doctrinal office announced on Friday the 83-year-old’s excommunication, or banishment.
According to the statement, he had previously expressed his refusal “to recognise and submit” to the leader of the Roman Catholic Church.
It further said that Vigano had denied the validity of the liberal reforms carried out by the church in the 1960s.
The press release said: “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.”
Since Vigano is officially outside the church due to the excommunication, it is not permitted to participate in or receive its sacraments, including communion.
