Vatican Expels Archconservative Sect Leaders in Major Schism]
ROME — The Vatican announced on Thursday that it had excommunicated senior clergy from an archconservative Catholic sect with substantial followings in the United States and Europe. The dramatic action stems from the group’s ordination of rogue bishops in violation of Vatican authority, marking one of the most significant schisms in recent decades within the world’s largest Christian denomination.


![Vatican Expels Archconservative Sect Leaders in Major Schism] Vatican Expels Archconservative Sect Leaders in Major Schism]](https://i0.wp.com/www.washingtonpost.com/wp-apps/imrs.php?src=https://arc-anglerfish-washpost-prod-washpost.s3.amazonaws.com/public/IAVLWCGIRL4GJH2PRJRJNAZSCI_size-normalized.jpg&w=1440&w=1024&resize=1024,1024&ssl=1)