from Great Game India:

Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, once a Vatican envoy in the U.S., finds himself at the center of a gripping Vatican trial this week. Accused of sparking division by challenging Pope Francis and rejecting key Church reforms, Viganò’s journey from outspoken diplomat to polarizing figure has captivated global attention. His bold accusations of Vatican corruption and later allegations against Pope Francis have ignited intense debates within the Church and beyond, linking religious controversies with broader political tensions. As the trial unfolds, the outcome could redefine his legacy and reverberate through the corridors of Vatican power, offering a dramatic glimpse into the inner workings of one of the world’s oldest institutions.

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Nine years ago, Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò was a top Vatican diplomat in the U.S., working closely with the White House and Congress to prepare for Pope Francis’ visit in 2015.

This week, he’s on trial at the Vatican, accused of causing a major split in the Catholic Church by rejecting Pope Francis and the Second Vatican Council. If found guilty, he could be excommunicated and kicked out of the priesthood.

Archbishop Viganò’s dramatic change is a clear sign of the deep divisions within the Church and society over the past decade. No matter the trial’s outcome, the controversies he’s stirred up will continue to challenge the unity of the Catholic Church.

Even before his break with Pope Francis, Archbishop Viganò was known for being outspoken and confrontational. As a high-ranking official under Pope Benedict XVI, he accused fellow Vatican officials of corruption and opposed his reassignment to Washington, viewing it as a move by his enemies to sideline him. These explosive accusations made headlines in 2012 while he was already in the U.S.

Despite this, Archbishop Viganò stayed on as nuncio under both Pope Benedict and Pope Francis. The 2015 papal visit to the U.S. was successful, though it sparked controversy when the Pope met briefly with Kim Davis, a Kentucky official jailed for refusing to issue same-sex marriage licenses. The Vatican later said the meeting was arranged by Viganò without full explanation to the Pope.

Pope Francis accepted Viganò’s resignation in 2016 when he turned 75. The archbishop retired and faded from public view.

Then, in August 2018, he shocked the world by accusing Pope Francis of ignoring the misconduct of then-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick and called for the Pope’s resignation. This bold move deepened existing tensions in the Church, especially between Rome and the U.S. bishops.

In the wake of his letter, some U.S. bishops supported Viganò, while others called for an investigation into his claims. Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, then-president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said the letter raised serious questions that needed clear answers.

The Viganò episode highlighted ongoing issues straining U.S. bishops’ relations with the Vatican, such as handling sex abuse cases, denying Communion to pro-abortion politicians, and balancing the Pope’s social justice agenda with opposition to abortion. Eventually, the Vatican confirmed that Pope Francis and his predecessors had failed to discipline McCarrick, who was dismissed from the priesthood in 2019 for sexual abuse.

Viganò continued his outspoken ways, writing a letter in 2020 praising President Trump and claiming social unrest was orchestrated by a global elite. Trump thanked him on Twitter, linking Church controversies to political debates. Viganò even suggested there was a “deep church” betraying its duties, similar to the “deep state.”

This week, as he faces trial for schism, Viganò released a statement accusing Pope Francis of aligning the Church with globalist agendas, promoting immigration and LGBTQ+ ideologies, and ignoring persecuted Catholics. He likened himself to Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, who was excommunicated for defying Rome.

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