Father Françoá Costa disputes Vatican excommunication in open letter

Father Françoá Rodrigues Figueiredo Costa, a priest in Brasília, was excommunicated by the Vatican after joining the Fraternidade Sacerdotal São Pio X (FSSPX). The Holy See declared his ministerial acts illicit and his administered sacraments null and void.

On 16 May, Costa published an eight‑page open letter to Catholics in the Federal District, rejecting the Vatican's decree as an error. He argues that his affiliation with the SSPX constitutes only disobedience, not a schismatic crime, and claims the penalty is invalid. In the letter he states, “Realizar sagrações episcopais contra a vontade do Papa não se enquadra nos delitos contra a unidade da Igreja,” and adds, “Enfim, como não me podem condenar por escândalos, procuram expulsar‑me por ser católico.”

The Archdiocese of Brasília warned that the faithful attending the Chapel Santo Anastácio, founded by Costa, could also be considered excommunicated. Despite the Vatican’s ruling, Costa says he will continue celebrating Masses and maintains that he upholds the “true Catholic faith.”