VATICAN CITY – Monsignor Carlo Maria Viganò, a vociferous conservative critic of Pope Francis, has been found guilty of schism by the Vatican, and has been excommunicated, according to the Holy See.

  The decision was made on Thursday after the Congress of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith met to conclude the penal process of Viganò. The Dicastery then declared excommunication, which it said was communicated to Reverend Viganò on Friday.

  Viganò had previously made multiple comments criticising the pontiff and calling for his resignation. Following the announcement of the trial, the priest stated that he considers “the accusations against me an honour,”

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