Excommunicated Priest Stands By Claims Against Pope Francis

He is being defiant.

In Italy, Father Ramon Guidetti, a Roman Catholic priest, stands firm despite facing excommunication from his bishop due to a daring New Year’s Eve homily where he labeled Pope Francis as an “antipope usurper.” Hailing from the Diocese of Livorno in Tuscany, Guidetti ignited controversy by asserting that the current pope, a successor he deemed a “Jesuit Freemason,” wasn’t the legitimate pontiff, garnering applause from his congregation at the Church of San Ranieri in Guasticce.

During his sermon, Guidetti referenced a reported lightning strike on Dec. 17 at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Rosary of St. Nicolás in Buenos Aires, the pope’s hometown. The strike supposedly obliterated a statue of St. Peter, removing its halo and keys despite the presence of lightning rods, sparking intrigue and speculation within the community, particularly considering the shrine’s symbolic 40th year in 2023.

The contentious homily coincided with the release of “Fiducia supplicans” by the Vatican, which stirred global controversy among Catholic clergy for allowing pastoral blessings for “same-sex couples” and couples in “irregular situations,” distinct from marriage and still deemed sinful.

Questioning the significance of the lightning strike, Guidetti boldly proclaimed during his sermon, “The halo and the keys. The halo because Peter is no longer holy, because there is a Jesuit Freemason linked to world powers, an antipope usurper. And the keys because the good Benedict kept those.”

Promptly after Guidetti’s sermon, Bishop Simone Giusti issued a decree of excommunication, citing violation of canon law prohibiting schism. The decree prevents Guidetti from conducting any ministerial duties or receiving sacraments and warns followers against participating in his activities.

Despite the severe penalty, Guidetti has taken a defiant stance, intending to display the decree proudly. He expressed disillusionment with the Church, labeling it as a tyrant rather than the maternal figure it should be. Bishop Giusti highlighted prior warnings given to Guidetti, stating the priest had already left the parish before the excommunication decree was issued, handing over his keys and departing.