A prelate has suggested that strident criticism of Pope Francis might be grounds for excommunication under canon law.
Archbishop Rino Fisichella, president of the Pontifical Council for the New Evangelisation, suggested such criticism could be seen as akin to “physical violence” against the Roman Pontiff.
This carries a penalty of excommunication.
But US canon lawyer Ed Peters said provisions in canon law must be interpreted narrowly and physical violence means what it says – physical violence.
While hateful speech is objectively sinful, it is not a canonical crime punishable by excommunication, the canonist said.
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