In a recent interview, Bishop Athanasius Schneider remarked, “I think it would be wise and prudent for the pope not to excommunicate Archbishop Viganò,” about the Vatican’s accusation of schism against him last week.
While criticizing Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò and his theological positions, Bishop Athanasius Schneider emphasized in comments to Religion News Service on Monday that Pope Francis would “further divide” the Church if he excommunicated the former Apostolic Nuncio to the United States.
“I think the pope would be wise and prudent if he were not to excommunicate Archbishop Viganò,” remarked Schneider in the interview, while also asserting that Viganò “is in error for advancing a new theory about the probable invalidity of Francis’ election.”
In an interview, Bishop Athanasius Schneider expressed his view, “I think that today the Church has so much internal division that it would be imprudent, even if there is some canonical ground to judge Archbishop Viganò.” Schneider further elaborated, “Even a blind person perceives that we are living in a time of great confusion regarding clarity of doctrine and morals,” citing this as the motivation behind his new book, *Flee from Heresy: A Catholic Guide to Ancient and Modern Errors*.
According to reports from LifeSiteNews, Monsignor John Kennedy of the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith has charged Archbishop Viganò with the canonical crime of schism. The accusations allege that Viganò’s public statements deny essential elements necessary to maintain communion with the Catholic Church, including the legitimacy of Pope Francis, rupture of communion with him, and rejection of the Second Vatican Council.
In response, Archbishop Viganò, who served as the Apostolic Nuncio to the United States under both Benedict XVI and Pope Francis, characterized the accusations as an “honor.” He asserted that his defense of Tradition aligns with that of the late Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, founder of the Society of St. Pius X, who was similarly accused of schism fifty years ago. Archbishop Viganò stated on January 20, “Fifty years ago, in that same Palace of the Holy Office, Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre was summoned and accused of schism for rejecting Vatican II. His defense is mine; his words are mine; and his arguments are mine.”
On June 11, news broke of Archbishop Viganò facing an “extrajudicial trial,” shortly after he posted on social media accusing Pope Francis of similar abuses as the now-laicized Cardinal Theodore McCarrick. This development coincided closely with online reports suggesting the Vatican’s intention to impose a global ban on the Latin Mass.
Around June 19, the French District of the Priestly Society of St. Pius X issued a statement preparing its followers to consecrate additional bishops without papal approval. This move sparked speculation on social media, possibly linked to Viganò’s anticipated excommunication and the rumored prohibition of the Latin liturgy.
On June 21, Archbishop Viganò clarified that he did not comply with the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith’s request to present himself in Rome on June 20, nor did he intend to do so. In a statement, he affirmed, “I have no intention of subjecting myself to a show trial where those supposed to impartially judge me for defending Catholic orthodoxy are the same individuals I accuse of heresy, treason, and abuse of power.”
The Jesuit magazine America erroneously reported that Archbishop Viganò had appeared in Rome previously.
