Whistleblower Vigano Defies Vatican Orders

(LibertySociety.com) – A former emissary for the Vatican has refused to obey an official papal summons to face schism charges for refusing to recognize the Pope as leader of the Catholic Church.

Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò reiterated his position that he does not consider Pope Francis to be head of the church. The archbishop made the original statement in a Communiqué on Thursday, June 20.

In his restatement of his position on Friday, June 28, Viganò said he stands by his position and doesn’t “recognize the authority” of the Vatican tribunal, “its Prefect,” or that of “the one who appointed him” claiming to judge the archbishop. He said that the decision was a “painful” one, and not one he made in “haste” or the “spirit of rebellion,” but based on “moral necessity.” Viganò said that, as a Bishop and a “Successor of the Apostles,” that necessity obliges him “in conscience to bear witness to the Truth,” which the archbishop likened to “God himself” and to Jesus Christ.

Viganò was appointed in 2011 by Pope Benedict XVI to serve as the United States Apostolic Nuncio, a position he held until 2016. A “nuncio” is an ecclesiastical diplomat who acts as a permanent representative abroad or an envoy of the Holy See to a specific country or international organization.

In 2016, Viganò published a report about the reinstatement of Cardinal Theodore McCarrick by Pope Francis, who Viganò rebuked for doing so despite his awareness of McCarrick’s past of sexual abuse of men. In that affidavit, the archbishop explained why Pope Benedict imposed sanctions on McCarrick and criticized Pope Francis for lifting them and making the past abuser a close papal adviser.

Viganò called on Pope Francis to resign and accused him of “abdicating” a mandate given to Saint Peter by Christ. He said the Pope should “acknowledge his mistakes” by doing so, which would “set a good example” for those who covered up the abuses, who Viganò said should also all resign.

The claim is the latest from the archbishop, who has taken controversial positions in the past. Last month, the doctrinal office of the Vatican ordered Viganò to report to Rome for a trial on charges of schism for rejecting the Pope’s authority.

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