Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, former apostolic nuncio to the United States, announced on social media that he has been summoned by the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith to face charges of schism.
The decree, dated June 11 and signed by Msgr. John Kennedy, calls for Viganò to appear for an extrajudicial penal process on June 20 to address accusations including “denial of the legitimacy of Pope Francis” and “rejection of the Second Vatican Council.”
Viganò, who has been a vocal critic of Pope Francis and the Second Vatican Council, shared the summons on his “X” account. In his response, Viganò described the charges as “an honor” and referred to Vatican II as “an ideological, theological, moral, and liturgical cancer.” The archbishop faces potential excommunication if found guilty of the charges.
The Dicastery’s letter specifies that Viganò must present himself or send a legal representative by June 28, failing which he will be judged in absentia. The document warns that the archbishop will face severe penalties if convicted, including the possibility of excommunication.
Cardinal Secretary of State Pietro Parolin commented, “Archbishop Viganò has taken some attitudes and some actions for which he must answer.”
He added that Viganò will have the opportunity to defend himself during the trial process.
Photo credit: George Martell CC BY-ND 2.0 via Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston, Flickr
