The news broke this week that former apostolic nuncio Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano is facing formal charges of schism – the refusal of submission to the Roman Pontiff or of communion with the members of the Church subject to him. The Vatican proceeding against Vigano was initiated without extensive investigation because, in his case, his public statements alone are deemed to constitute sufficient reason to try him. But his right of defense remains intact and every legal protection must be afforded to him.