A Vatican decree has accused Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, former nuncio to the United States, of schism, ordering him to appear before the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith to respond to charges related to his public denunciation of Pope Francis and the Second Vatican Council.

Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, a former nuncio to the United States, has been accused of schism by the Vatican Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith (DDF). A decree dated June 11, 2024, ordered him to appear at the DDF offices on June 20 to respond to charges related to his public denial of Pope Francis’ legitimacy and rejection of the Second Vatican Council. Viganò, who did not attend the summons, was informed of his right to legal counsel.

In his social media response, Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò called the accusations an honor, reiterating his critical stance against Pope Francis and the Second Vatican Council. The charges are part of an extrajudicial administrative process rather than a canonical trial.

Viganò first gained notoriety in 2018 for accusing Pope Francis of covering up abuse by former cardinal Theodore McCarrick. He has since been a vocal critic of the pope and Vatican reforms. Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and noted that Viganò had the opportunity to defend himself.

Cardinal Pietro Parolin’s reflections capture the complexity of Archbishop Viganò’s journey from a respected Vatican official to a divisive figure accused of schism. As Viganò continues to challenge the legitimacy of Pope Francis and the reforms of the Second Vatican Council, the Vatican’s proceedings underscore the broader tensions within the Catholic Church. The outcome of this case will not only determine Viganò’s future within the Church but also reflect the ongoing struggle over the direction and unity of Catholic doctrine and leadership.