Vatican Summons Controversial Archbishop Viganò

In a significant event capturing global attention among Catholics, Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò has been asked to meet privately at the Vatican. This step comes amidst ongoing controversies and strong criticisms launched by Viganò against the Church’s hierarchy, particularly Pope Francis.

Archbishop Viganò, who notably served as the Apostolic Nuncio to the United States from 2011 to 2016, is renowned for his outspoken opinions and pivotal role in uncovering the concealment of sexual abuse allegations within the Church. His 2018 testimony implicated top church officials, including Pope Francis, in allegedly hiding the misconduct of former cardinal Theodore McCarrick. This explosive accusation called for Pope Francis’ resignation and sparked extensive debate within the Catholic community.

Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò has been summoned to the Vatican to be excommunicated by Pope Francis, the first Jesuit pope.

As seen in this video, he courageously spoke out against child trafficking and named individuals such as Hillary Clinton, John Podesta, and former editor… pic.twitter.com/S12dWmjMOV

— Shadow of Ezra (@ShadowofEzra) June 20, 2024

The most recent conflict involving Viganò stemmed from his strong opposition to a ceremony in the Diocese of Superior, Wisconsin. Viganò criticized the ceremony, which featured traditional Ojibwe dance and drumming, as a “serious sacrilege.” Bishop James Powers of Superior defended the ceremony as a revered tradition honoring Native American heritage and accused Viganò of defamation, demanding a public apology.

Furthermore, Viganò has associated himself with ultra-traditionalist factions within the Church. Recent reports suggest he ordained priests without proper authorization and sent them to operate in dioceses without the necessary episcopal approval. These actions have heightened tensions and raised doubts about the legitimacy of sacraments administered by these priests.

The extrajudicial trial of Archbishop Viganò presents us with a choice @CarloMVigano

Are you on the side of the archbishop who tells the truth, exposes lies, defends the Faith, challenges heretics, supports the persecuted faithful, is loyal to our Lord Jesus Christ?

Or

Are… pic.twitter.com/u1kV67a5fE

— Nick Donnelly (@ProtecttheFaith) June 21, 2024

Many perceive Viganò’s summons to the Vatican as an effort to directly address these mounting issues. It reflects the Vatican’s imperative to uphold doctrinal unity and tackle openly aired internal conflicts by Viganò. The outcome of this meeting could significantly influence the Church’s approach to managing dissent and criticisms from within.

This is not the first instance of Viganò being embroiled in controversy. In 2020, he wrote an open letter to then-President Donald Trump, expressing support for Trump’s battles against what he labeled the “deep state” and suggesting that the COVID-19 pandemic was orchestrated to usher in a “New World Order.” These statements have further divided opinions about him within and outside the Catholic community.

The tension between Viganò and the Vatican underscores a broader ideological divide within the Church, especially concerning the interpretation and implementation of the Second Vatican Council’s reforms. Viganò has vocally criticized these reforms, asserting they have diluted traditional Catholic values.

As the Vatican readies for this critical meeting, observers are keen to see how the Church will navigate this internal crisis. The resolution of this conflict could either strengthen or weaken the authority of Pope Francis and the current Church leadership. While Archbishop Viganò’s supporters view him as a guardian of traditional Catholicism, his critics perceive him as a divisive figure whose actions jeopardize the Church’s unity.

This ongoing saga underscores the Catholic Church’s ongoing struggle to harmonize tradition with modernity and address the challenges posed by internal disagreement. The upcoming discussions between Viganò and Vatican officials will play a key role in shaping the Church’s future direction.