Carlo Maria Viganò
Carlo Maria Viganò (born January 16, 1941[1]) is an Italian Archbishop of the Roman Catholic Church, currently under excommunication (he is forbidden from receiving or administering the sacraments). He was excommunicated due to his public opposition to the authority of Pope Francis and his refusal to submit to the Church’s teachings. Viganò served as the Apostolic Nuncio to the United States from 2011 until 2016 and has been a highly controversial figure within the Church.
Carlo Maria Viganò | |
|---|---|
| Former Apostolic Nuncio to the United States | |
 Carlo Maria Viganò in 2024 | |
| Church | Roman Catholic Church |
| In office | 2011–2016 |
| Predecessor | Pietro Sambi |
| Successor | Christophe Pierre |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 24 March 1968 by Luigi Traglia |
| Consecration | 26 April 1992 by Pope John Paul II |
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Carlo Maria Viganò |
| Born | January 16, 1941 Varese, Italy |
| Nationality | Italian |
| Denomination | Roman Catholic |
| Education | Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy |
| Motto | Scio cui credidi |
| Coat of arms |  |
Early life and ordination
changeViganò was born in Varese, Italy. He was ordained as a priest on March 24, 1968, by Luigi Cardinal Traglia. After completing his education at the Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy, he entered the Vatican diplomatic service in 1973.[1][2][3]
Diplomatic career
changeViganò held various diplomatic posts throughout his career. In 1992, he was appointed Apostolic Nuncio to Nigeria and was consecrated as a bishop by Pope John Paul II on April 26, 1992.[1][2][3]
Apostolic Nuncio to the United States
changeIn 2011, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Viganò as Apostolic Nuncio to the United States. One of his roles was overseeing the investigation of sexual abuse cases within the U.S. Church, specifically regarding former Cardinal Theodore McCarrick.[1][2][3]
Criticism of Pope Francis and excommunication
changeAfter retiring in 2016, Viganò became a critic of Pope Francis. In 2018, he published a letter accusing Pope Francis of knowing about the allegations of sexual abuse against Cardinal Theodore McCarrick and failing to act. Viganò's letter called for Pope Francis’ resignation, accusing him of complicity in covering up McCarrick’s abuses. His refusal to retract these accusations and submit to the authority of the Holy See resulted in his formal excommunication in 2024, which means he is no longer allowed to participate in the sacramental life of the Church.[4][5][6][7][8][9]
See also
changeReferences
change- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Carlo Maria Vigano | Biography, Archbishop, Schism, Excommunicated, Vatican, & Catholic Hierarchy | Britannica". www.britannica.com. 2024-09-20. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "RINUNCE E NOMINE". press.vatican.va. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Report: The long, strange journey of Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò". America Magazine. 2024-08-01. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
- ↑ "Comunicato Stampa del Dicastero per la Dottrina della Fede". press.vatican.va. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
- ↑ Lewis, Mike (2024-07-05). "English translation of Vigano's excommunication decree". Where Peter Is. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
- ↑ "The Viganò Letter, One Year Later | Commonweal Magazine". www.commonwealmagazine.org. 2019-08-29. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
- ↑ "Vatican excommunicates Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano for schism". www.bbc.com. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
- ↑ Dias, Elizabeth; Goodstein, Laurie (2018-09-27). "Letter Accusing Pope Leaves U.S. Catholics in Conflict". New York Times. Retrieved 2024-10-20.
- ↑ Gleeson, Cailey. "Vatican Excommunicates Ultraconservative Archbishop For Refusing To Recognize Pope Francis". Forbes. Retrieved 2024-10-20.