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An Italian archbishop and staunch critic of Pope Francis has been excommunicated by the Vatican, its doctrinal office has said. <\/p>\n
Carlo Maria Vigano was found guilty of schism – meaning he has split from the Catholic Church – after years of fierce disagreement with the pontiff. <\/p>\n
The 83-year-old ultra-conservative has previously called on the Pope to resign, accusing him of heresy and criticising his stances on immigration, climate change and same-sex couples.<\/p>\n
Archbishop Vigano was a senior figure in the Church, serving as papal envoy to Washington from 2011 to 2016. <\/p>\n
In 2018 he went into hiding after alleging that the Pope had known about sexual abuse by an American cardinal and failed to act. The Vatican rejected the accusation.<\/p>\n
Over time, the archbishop became associated with US conspiracy theorists, criticising Covid vaccines and alleging a “globalist” and “anti-Christian” project by the UN and other groups – both familiar conspiratorial themes.<\/p>\n
On Friday the Vatican’s doctrinal office said his refusal to submit to Pope Francis was clear from his public statements.<\/p>\n
“The Most Reverend Carlo Maria Vigano was found guilty of the reserved delict [violation of the law] of schism,” the statement said, adding that he had been excommunicated – or banished from the church.<\/p>\n
Responding by a post on X, the archbishop linked to the decree that was emailed to him and said:<\/p>\n
“What was attributed to me as guilt for my conviction is now put on record, confirming the Catholic Faith that I fully profess.”<\/p>\n
Archbishop Vigano was charged with schism and denying the pope’s legitimacy last month. At the time, he write on X that he regarded the accusations against him as “an honour”. <\/p>\n
“I repudiate, reject, and condemn the scandals, errors, and heresies of Jorge Mario Bergoglio,” he said, using Argentine Pope’s given name.<\/p>\n
Pope Francis has put himself at odds with traditionalist Catholics by making overtures towards the LGBTQ+ community, championing migrant rights and condemning the excesses of capitalism. <\/p>\n
Last year, he took action against another ultra-conservative critic, dismissing Bishop Joseph E Strickland of Texas when he refused to resign after an investigation<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n