Vatican excommunicates former US ambassador Vigano, declares him guilty of schism

Associated Press

ROME (AP) — The Vatican has excommunicated its former ambassador to the U.S., Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano, after finding him guilty of schism. It was an inevitable end for the firebrand conservative who became one of Pope Francis’ most ardent critics. The Vatican said Friday its doctrine office imposed the penalty after a meeting of its members. It cited what it called 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.”