Question 283 – Is Archbishop Vigano in schism?

Interview Organization: The Confraternity of Our Lady of Fatima
Interviewer Name: Christopher Wendt
Date: July 13, 2024
Archbishop Vigano's approach to the Church crisis is problematic because he rejects the authority of the valid Pope, unlike Archbishop Lefebvre, who never denied papal authority. Lefebvre criticized errors but always respected the Pope. Vigano’s attitude seems driven by anger, lacking a supernatural perspective, which hampers true renewal.
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Transcript:

Unfortunately, it is true. The methods and the manner in which Archbishop Viganò is now approaching the crisis of the Church are not the true way. He does not recognize the current reigning Pope, who is a valid Pope, and whom the entire Church, including the older cardinals, has accepted. His attitude of rejecting the validity of the Pope and his authority is a grievous act, which we cannot accept. Archbishop Viganò cannot be compared to Archbishop Lefebvre, whom he often quotes. This is wrong, because Archbishop Lefebvre always rejected sedevacantism. In fact, he expelled priests who supported sedevacantism from the Society of St. Pius X. In the first house of the Society in the United States, there was a major problem with some of the priests there rejecting the validity of the Pope at that time, Pope John Paul II. Archbishop Lefebvre had to close that house and dismiss those priests from the Society due to their sedevacantist stance.

Therefore, Archbishop Viganò cannot appeal to Archbishop Lefebvre as an example. Moreover, Archbishop Lefebvre never used disrespectful language regarding the person of the Pope. He criticized the errors of the Council, the new Mass, and the bad examples set by the hierarchy, but he never used disrespectful language about the Pope himself. This is a fundamental difference. Archbishop Lefebvre always went to Rome when called and tried to speak with the authorities there, asking for the possibility to maintain the traditional faith and to receive the blessing of the Holy See.

The attitude of Archbishop Viganò is very different. In my opinion, what is also lacking in his approach is the supernatural vision. It seems to be a reaction born of human anger, not a supernatural perspective. This will not bring a positive solution to the true renewal of the Church and the crisis it is facing. The Church is a mystery, and it is undergoing its own Golgotha. We must help the Church, of course, by addressing the crisis, but always respectfully and with love for the Pope, who is, unfortunately, promoting ambiguity and some errors. We must offer our critique with love and respect, accompanied by prayer and sacrifices.

We must remember that we do not resolve the crisis with spectacular actions. No, it is the Lord who will intervene in His time. Our duty is to prepare the ground, but always with the mind of the Church, as the saints did throughout history with humility, respect, and a supernatural view.