Holy See Revokes Diplomatic Status of Former US Ambassador

The Vatican has excommunicated its former ambassador to the United States, following accusations of schism that marked a turning point for a staunch critic of Pope Francis who once held significant influence within conservative circles.

The Vatican's highest administrative body condemned Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò after an internal gathering last Thursday and formally informed him on Friday, according to the statement issued by its officials.

In citing his actions as a violation of ecclesiastical law, the doctrine office highlighted Viganò's "refusal to acknowledge or submit to authority from Pope Francis, disregarding communion with the church hierarchy under him, and rejecting the doctrinal decisions of the second Vatican Council."

This excommunication signifies that Archbishop Viganò is no longer affiliated with the Church and cannot partake in its sacraments due to having committed a grave offense within canon law: schism.

The act of schism poses a severe threat to the faith, jeopardizing the unity of the church community at large. Over time, Viganò had garnered a following among conservative and traditionalist groups as he delved into his theories on various subjects such as the coronavirus pandemic, the concept of a "great reset," amongst other ideas considered fringe.

Aware that an ecclesiastical censure was imminent, Viganò deemed it an honorous occasion and declined any personal defense or public testimony regarding his actions before such proceedings began. After making known the decision to excommunicate him last month, he announced a mass on Friday intended for supporters while also requesting donations.

Earlier in his career, Viganò gained prominence during an incident involving the leakage of Pope Benedict XVI's private communications by an individual connected with the Holy See. As the No. 2 official within the administrative structure of Vatican City State at that time, he expressed to Pope Benedict concerns about his reassignment and sought not to be transferred to Washington.

Viganò made a return to public attention during Pope Francis's U.S. visit in 2015, having been instrumental in organizing the itinerary for the pontiff’s encounter with Kim Davis, an American clerk known for her opposition to issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples.

The Vatican later clarified that footage released after Pope Francis's trip showed his private meeting with a small group of individuals, including a gay couple, contradicting claims made by some who believed the pope expressed support for Davis' stance during their interaction.

Viganò’s suggestion for Davis to meet with the pontiff set him on a path that would lead to conflict later in August 2018. During this time, the U.S. Catholic Church was confronting issues related to clerical sexual abuse and cover-ups, which had been brought into sharp focus by allegations against Cardinal Theodore McCarrick's misconduct.

As Pope Francis concluded his visit to Ireland, Viganò published a lengthy critique targeting the pope and other U.S. and Vatican officials for their response to McCarrick’s actions. He called on Pope Francis to step down from his position in what many considered an extreme reaction that marked the beginning of their estrangement.

In 2020, a report conducted by the Vatican concluded that there was indeed negligence among several church officials, including past pontiffs, with respect to McCarrick's misbehavior and subsequent cover-up efforts. Though Pope Francis himself largely escaped censure in this investigation, criticism centered on Viganò for not fully investigating allegations against McCarrick when instructed by the Vatican to do so.

In the aftermath of these developments, Viganò's criticisms became increasingly speculative and diverged from established church teachings. He publicized contentious viewpoints on vaccines, attended certain political events in the U.S., and eventually openly challenged Pope Francis’s authority as head of the Catholic Church.